BIG VALLEY GAZETTE – BIEBER, LASSEN COUNTY, CAL.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1902
John Finley’s face came in violent contact with a gate last Friday and John
was considerably worsted.
Miss Effie Maxwell came over from Fall River Valley last week and is
stopping with her sister, Mrs. Dr. Sheppard.
Jesse Combs, son of Pierce Combs, a stockman of Lakeview, OR., committed
suicide Sunday by shooting himself through the head and died instantly.
Walter Brown, aged seventeen, and Fred Snelling, a year younger, were
drowned in Goose Lake last Sunday while out skating. (1:4)
McKenna, a young Indian, who sometime ago forged an order on McArthur’s
store and then skipped out to avoid arrest, returned to his old haunts last
week and Constable Kinyon learning that he was at one of the camps near
town, went out Tuesday and took him into custody. He is to have a
preliminary examination this afternoon.
The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Morgan was kicked by a horse last
Thursday afternoon and her right leg broken in two places above the knee.
Dr. Dozier set the injured limb and the child is now doing nicely.
BORN
AMBROSE – Near Adin, Cal., Dec 19, 1901, to the wife of Dan Ambrose, a son
MORRILL – In Susanville, Cal., Dec 22, 1901, to the wife of H. A. Morrill, a
daughter
GLASS – In Susanville, Cal., Dec 20, 1901, to the wife of J. R. Glass, a son
McDERMOTT – At Milford, cal., Dec 16, 1901, to the wife of J. W. McDermott,
twin sons.
Mrs. Emma Perkiss, beloved wife of A. R. Perkiss, died at her home in Churn
Creek bottom, Tuesday, December 24th, after illness of only ten days, from
pneumonia. She was aged 46 years and 6 months and leaves to mourn her loss
a sorrowing husband and two children, Mrs. Ora Shearin and Mrs. Tena Pulse.
TRIAL OF J. W. BROWN
Dec 24th – Court rules that witness Colburn must answer last question.
Witness refuses to answer and is committed for contempt.
Raker asks that W. H. Woodmansee be cited for contempt in Schnider matter
for alleged attempt to influence tales man, but request was refused.
Claude Brown placed on stand. He testified that Colburn was residing with
him last part of May and until he was subpoenaed by grand jury in June. On
cross-examination, Raker asked several questions on alleged attempt of
detectives to bring witness Colburn. Court refused to allow questions and
ordered off stand before defense completed intended cross-examination.
E. V. Spencer states that he does not think Court is treating defense and
prosecution in equal justice.
Post states that it appears to him that remark of Spencer is a reflection
on court. Court directs Clerk to enter fine of $50 against each Spencer and
Raker for contempt of Court with option of 25 days in jail. Spencer says he
don’t give a damn for Harrington’s jail and a general quarrel ensues, which
is finally stopped by interference of sheriff and adjournment of court.
Attorney Harris, who was arrested last Saturday for assault with a deadly
weapon on person of Mary Lorenz, had Mary Lorenz arrested for battery on
him.
Dec 26th – matters opened quietly this morning. The orders which were made
Tuesday fining the attorneys was postponed by the Court this morning.
Defense offered to prove that Agnes Wilson had been married, but offer was
refused, also the offer to prove by witness Courtright that he had told E.
S. Trowbridge of Bieber and also one Cannon that he would testify for the
defense, if they paid him for so doing and that if they did not so pay him,
he would testify for the prosecution. Post agreed that Courtright be again
called.
Dr. C. M. Tinsman was then put on stand. Stated that he made examination
of the heads and necks of the men lynched but did not examine bodies and
could not state positively as to any other mutilation than breaking of
necks.
C. R. Harris, C. C. Auble, County Clerk Smith, District Attorney Bonner,
Sheriff Street and Deputy Fleming were put on stand to identify the ropes
with which the five men were hanged and the ropes were then put in evidence.
Harris, who was acting Coroner at the inquest, stated under question that
hands of all but one were tied. Calvin Hall was barefooted, three Indians
had on socks but no shoes and Yantis had on shoes. After bodies were placed
in coffins, noticed small scar or bruise on Yantis’ forehead. Saw Hall, Jim
and Frank Hall and Yantis buried. All were buried in same grave, which was
just large enough for four coffins. Martin Wilson was buried separately.
All coffins furnished were of good material.
Judge J. R. Myers was recalled and stated that early in the morning of May
31st, he saw the bodies of the five men hanging to the bridge; that he
caused their faces to be covered with sacks as sun was shining on them and
they would rapidly decompose. Judge Myers was unable to identify the
pistols, which were taken from Frank Hall and Yantis.
In police court this evening, Judge Harris was sent to jail for 24 hours
for contempt by Judge Chery for improper language in presence of Court.
Dec 27th – E. L. Carpenter was recalled and identified the pistols taken
from Hall and Yantis. Court refused to allow defense to show that Hall was
found in possession of stolen property. Stated when he arrested martin
Wilson, he found him in possession of stolen property identified as
belonging to other persons. Detailed circumstances of the arrest of Hall
and other and stated defendant Brown did not accompany him on any trips he
made arresting the parties.
Dec 28th – First witness was John Hutton. He stated that he heard
conversation between defendant and Isom Eades and two or three other parties
between Morris’ store and Myers’ hotel in Lookout in which one of the
parties said, ”if they don’t put those fellows out of the way, citizens
ought to.” Witness refused to answer any further questions.
Frank Tetreau was next witness. He stated that he was in Lookout, night of
hanging; slept in bedroom off Myers’ hotel parlor. About 1:30 on morning of
May 31st, was awakened by unusual noise. In about ten minutes heard people
running n street in front of hotel and heard some one come towards parlor
and heard Calvin Hall say, “Who are you and what do you want?” Parties went
back. Then saw masked men outside of window. Then saw door broken in and
saw Calvin Hall taken down street towards bridge on a trot. Put on clothes
and went out in front. Some one stated a mob had come and taken prisoners
out of hotel; witness suggested that they had better go and see about it and
was told they had better not follow. Went back to bed.
Peter Hagerman was next witness. Stated that Eades told him that they put
rope around Martin Wilson’s neck when he was arrested to make him confess.
Dec 30th – John Hutton again on stand. Stated he heard conversation on May
27th in which it was stated that they would put these men out of the road
first clear night. Did not know who made the remark and did not recognize
voice of speaker. This was first Monday men were in custody and
conversation took place in bar room of Myers’ hotel.
Myron Ayers was next called. He stated in substance that he was in Lookout
at inquests of all except Calvin Hall. Met defendant Brown there and was
told by him about the occurrence. Stated that Brown said it was about the
time he arrived at hotel and Goyette came and he, Brown, went on the porch
and lit a cigar; that within a few minutes mob came and held Brown up with
gun and took men out and lynched them. On further examination said, he went
to Lookout on morning of June 1st, they were just taking the ropes off men
who had been hanged. Calvin halls and Yantis’ hands were tied behind their
backs when they were placed in the coffin. Did not see other three in their
coffins, there were pieces of sack around neck of each dead man. Met
defendant Brown on porch and sat sown and had a talk with him; brown told
him that two men burst in the door and thrust guns into his face and ordered
them to threw up his hands. Said that Myers came down stairs cursing crowd
and told them to get out of his hotel, but they covered them him with a gun
also. Mob ordered them, Brown and Goyette, to go out with them when they
took prisoners out; took him and Goyette down part of the way to bridge and
then turned them loose; that there were between twenty and thirty men in the
mob. Brown said it was common talk in Lookout that these men ought to be
sent to State Prison or hung and that when he had smoked his cigar on porch,
mob came and that they came sooner than he thought they would.
Next witness was Charles m. Lamburth. Stated he was in Lookout during
inquest. Heard defendant say that it had been general talk in Lookout that
these men would be hung, but that lynchers came before he was expecting it.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1902
SENSATIONAL TURN IN BROWN CASE
JOHN R. HUTTON AND CLAUDE MORRIS MAKE FULL CONFESSION
Many Arrests Follow
A sudden and unexpected turn in the events of the lynching trial now
proceeding in Alturas was taken last week when warrants of arrest were
issued and ten men taken into custody on Friday night. Further arrests have
since been made and so far as we can learn include the following: E. S.
Trowbridge, O. A. Trowbridge, F. H. Roberts, J. J. Potter, Claude Brown, J.
R. Myers, J. W. Leventon, A. L. Colburn, Wm. McDaniels, Henry Knox, L.
Polmanteer, Claude Marcus, Jerve Kresge, Harry Roberts and S. S. Parks.
These arrests were made as a result of the confessions made by J. R. Hutton
and Claude Morris. The S. F. Examiner of last Saturday gives the confession
of Hutton in full and the Sunday issue follows with the full confession of
Morris. In the main, they are corroborative, and as we have not sufficient
space for both, will confine ourself to the confession of Hutton.
CONFESSION OF J. R. HUTTON
The first I heard of the intended lynching at Lookout was between Jim Brown,
Isom Eades, Fred Roberts and Jerve Kresge was if the law did not take it in
hand to hang those men, that the citizens ought to. That was what was said
between these four in Morris’ store and Myers hotel. Jim Brown asked me if
I wanted to take a walk with him and we walked around. He said it didn’t
seem like the law was going to take it in hand to do anything with those
men, so he guessed the citizens would and wanted to know if I would join the
party to hang them. I told him I guessed so. Jerve Kresge was the next who
talked to me the same day. He said they were going to get rid of the Halls
and they wanted to get a party of men together and wanted to know if I
wanted to join the lot. I said I guessed so. I don’t recollect of any one
saying anything more to me. I heard Jim Brown state to some that they would
get rid of them in a short time. That was said to George Harvill. He said
it to Joe Leventon and Robert Leventon. He was talking with them down near
Leventon’s’ blacksmith shop. Leventon made the remark, “Yes, they would get
rid of them in a short time.”
On Wednesday morning I first learned they were going to take them out
Thursday night or Friday morning. Jim Brown came and told me. He said that
the first pretty night that came along, they were going to hang the men, and
they would hang them after midnight. He didn’t tell me all who would be
there; he said they had a lot of men to hang the prisoners. The rope was
got at Trowbridge’s store. Brown was one that got it and Robert Leventon
and Kresge. The three went in there together to get the rope. They got it
Thursday morning early. The men were hung that night. They fixed it there
in the store; fixed each rope separately. Old Mr. Myers was there. I was
present at the time they cut the ropes. These knots were tied by Mr. Myers
and Robert Leventon and J. J. Potter. They fixed the ropes in a side room,
a shed where the ropes were; that is, on the eastside of the store. Jim
Brown said they wanted to fix the ropes and get everything ready for that
night they were going to hang the men if it cleared off and was nice weather
and he knew everything looked favorable that night for the hanging.
Thursday morning, I went to Trowbridge’s store. Mr. Myers, Jim Brown and
E. S. Trowbridge were there. I went to the door that went from the main
building into the shed where the ropes were kept. I stopped in the door and
looked, and they said: “Why, come on in.” and I went in there and sat down.
They were figuring on the ropes then and Jim Brown said, “This rope looks
like it is big enough to hang them men.” Trowbridge said: “Yes, that looks
big enough and here is one a little bigger if you think it is needed.” I
made the remark and said “That rope is plenty big enough; half that size
would be big enough.”
So, they got the rope that Trowbridge spoke about and Jim Brown said:
“there is no one here that can tie the right kind of knots, is there?” Old
man Myers said: “I can try. I don’t know. I used to be a great hand to tie
certain kinds of knots.” Jim Brown said to Mr. Myers: “Just try yourself
and see what kind of a knot you can tie.” So, Mr. Myers picked up one rope
and made the start and didn’t get it just right and started in on another
rope or the same one, to tie another knot and made a success then in tying
the knot to suit him and suit the rest and they said that was all right and
they got him to tie the others. Potter and Robert Leventon and Dick
Nichols come in just about the time they got the last knot tied and Jim
Brown made the remark to these three that came in. He said: “Do you think
those knots are all right and the ropes are heavy enough?” and Robert
Leventon said: “Yes, that is is all right, they are plenty big enough.”
Jim brown took charge of the ropes and said: “I will take these ropes and
take them down to the shop.” And they said, “You don’t want to take them
out in the open that way without putting them away. They will look
suspicious.” So, he put them in a barley sack and took then down to
Leventon’s blacksmith shop; in the back room down in the coal, down in the
corner. Then us fellows all went up to the hotel to the bar and took a
drink. There was Jim Brown, Robert Leventon, Dick Nichols and myself.
Potter didn’t go up; he stayed there at the shop with joe Leventon and
Potter stayed there with him. Trowbridge stayed out in front of the store
while the ropes were being fixed, so he could watch and see if any one came
in, to keep them away.
There was a meeting Thursday afternoon at Trowbridge’s store. Dick
Nichols, J. J. Potter, Joe Leventon, Will McDaniels, Henry Knox, Jerve
Kresge, Fred Roberts and Claude Brown were there. Trowbridge was also
there. They said: “Now just about what time do we want to meet to come and
take those men tonight?” The remark was made by Jim Brown, “What time do we
want to come and hang those men?” Fred Roberts and Claude Brown both
answered. “About midnight.” “Who will guard tonight?” was asked by Fred
Roberts. I believe they said they wanted to know who went on guard before
midnight and who after and they would take them when the weakest guard was
on and they said, “We will wait until after midnight,” and asked me if I
knew who was going to be on guard and I said I didn’t know or care. Jim
brown said, if Constable Carpenter says anything to you tell him you are too
tired to guard and you want to be ready and help us out in this and I said,
“Well, I will tell him then.”
So, they arranged things around there to all start out and meet at Claude
Brown’s. The country fellows, Fred Roberts and Jerve Kresge and Robert
Leventon and all these fellows that had come from a distance to come from
the horse ranch and gather at Claude Brown’s. So, they all gathered there.
We, town fellows were to meet them. They planned for us to go out across
the dam right above the bridge where the men were hung and go back of town
and come down across the dam and out in front of the schoolhouse and they
would come from Claude Brown’s place and that would be in the direction of
the schoolhouse and we would meet them there and go on across to the hotel.
That was the first meeting we had until we assembled at the schoolhouse.
I can’t remember just when they did first talk to Claude Morris about it.
He wasn’t in the rope room; he was around town there some place. He wasn’t
in the rope meeting in the room there. The sacks were got at Claude Brown’s
place. To go out over this dam, we town boys all went together.
We met back of Trowbridge’s store, back where no one could see us. It was
about half past 10, I believe, or 11 that we met there, and there was J. J.
Potter and Joe Leventon and Dick Nichols, Claude Morris and myself; that was
all the five that was out of the town. We went around back of town and went
on down towards the dam, crossed over the dam and went over to the
schoolhouse and set down on the schoolhouse steps waiting for these country
fellows to come. We had to wait about an hour and a half. They had their
sacks on their faces when they came. There was Fred Roberts, Jerve Kresge,
Claude Brown, Robert Leventon, Isom Eades and Claude Morris, Louis
Polmanteer, he was there. I believe there was eight that come around that
way. Isom Eades came from the horse camp; Colburn was there, that made
thirteen. They give us boys each a sack. They had the sacks fixed. They
said; “Here’s your sack,” and we took the sacks. They had holes cut for th
eyes and a hole cut for the mouth and nose together, so we could breathe
through them, and two holes cut for the eyes. Billy McDaniels and Henry
Knox came in with Claude Brown’s party. The four from the horse camp might
have come to the Brown’s place, but they all come there together.
While they were there at the schoolhouse, they talked low and called each
other by name. They said when give us the sacks, “We are all ready to go,
ain’t we?” and I said, “I am.” I put the sack over my head. So they
started out and they all went up there and just before we got there across
the bridge and up to the hotel they said, “Who was going to put in the lead
to march them in there” and some one said they put me and I said; “No, I don
’t care to go ahead, I’d rather let someone else go who understands it
better than I do, ” and so Claude Brown took the lead.
Season's Greetings
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
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