Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1892 — FRANTIC APPEAL OF RUSTLERS. [ARTICLE]

FRANTIC APPEAL OF RUSTLERS.

They Denounce the Cattlemen and Ask Protection from the President. President Harrison received the following telegram from a committee of the rustlers of Wyoming engaged in the recent troubles in that State, which gives their side of the case: Buffalo. Wyo., via Douglas, Wya To Benjamin Harrison. President of the United States, Washington, D. C.: We do solemnly affirm that, contrary to all law of God and man, an armed body of capitalists, with hirst! war men. have entered our country with the open and avowed intention of taking possession of and controlling the same in their own interests; that we believe their alm was to terrorize and depopulate the country to their own aggrandizement, to murder and kill any or ail persons resisting them, regardless of reputation or calling; that they have been detected in the act of commitment of such murder and killing; that they have with firearms resisted arrest by the civil authorities and have defied the law; that when surrounded by the Sheriff’s posse, their capture certain, they were arrested by the military, which military Is now ordered to escort them in safety to the railroad. • ** The band comprises some of the wealthiest people of the State, and they openly aver that their wealth will buy them off arid will 1 uy the protection of the Government. Our people have 1 een calm, patient and miraculously submissive to law and order all through their terrible ordeal. They ask not for vengeance, but justice. The executive department of the State has move ! in such a manner as to indicate its sympathy with and protection of these influential rebels, which same they claim now. Our people have loth judgment and feeling, which former has ever controlled them, yet to see the slavers of their innocent brothers go unpunished may drive them insane. We in behalf cf our fellow-citizens’ and as we love domestic peace and tranquillity, and in the name of God and justice, most respectfully request that the President of the United States, the head of our great Government, pledge himself to his people that justice reigns supreme; that to the high and mighty, as well as to the poor and obscure, punishment shall be meted out as deserved, according to tho laws and statutes of the tluited States. We pledge our honor that nothing has occu red to occasion alarm of bodily injury to the pr sorters from the copula e, and that we believe such information is false and raaliclousy intended to Injure our pe .ple and defame their loyalty to the government, and we firmly 1 elieve there is none intended, wh n an assurance exists that justice will he done; and while in our judgment It were better to hold the prisoners f<r trial at the scene of the crimes, amply protected by troops assisting the sheriff, yet, if It Is the will of the chief executive to retrieve them, we shall labor unceasingly at his direction to assure him that his people are worthy of his love and prote tlon. We most respectfully asks will It be the pleasure of the President to'recelve a ommltt e of ov.r county and learn how grossly our people have been muligno I? C. J. Hacebson. Chairman Board County Commissioners and Acting Mayor of Buffala The President’s Reply. A special from Buffalo, Wyoming, says: A message in reply to the appeal from the people has been received from President Harrison. The message was circulated among the people and was well received. The people feel better, now that they know the President and public are aware that they wish an investigation and justice done to all parties. The President says: Executive Mansion, Washin >ton. To C. J. Hagerson and others, Buffalo, Wyoming: The Governor of your State mads a call upon me. in conformity with the Constitution of the Uritsd States, for aid in suppressing domestic violence and threatened b oodshed. ’I could not know anything of the situation except as related by him, and could not refuse the aid of troops to preserve the peace. The prisoners will, ns soon as the State authorities are prepared to receive them, be turned over to the civil authorities, and our conne tion with the matter will end unless further called upon to aid the State authorities to preserve tho peace. I do not doubt that the executive and judicial authorities of your State will, without fear or favor, bring to trial and punishment thpse who have violated the law, by orderly methods. Nothing will be done by me to shield any guilty person. My counsel, as your fellow citizen, is to proceed in all thlpgs peacefully and upon lawful lines. I will, of course, see any one you send, but you will see that 1 can do nothing except to act with the State to prevent violence. Everything else rests with the State authorities. Benjamin Harbison. An Armed Guard Established. There are about one hundred and fifty armed men in town organized as home guards, the organization being established last Sunday night. The streets are patrolled by a strong guard at night, and all travelers to and from town are inspected. Rumors are current of other bands of invaders, coming from Montana and elsewhere to assist the stockmen. The outposts of the organization will seek to give timely warning of the approach of any such party. Fears are entertained by many that the attempts of the stockmen will be renewed. A few persons suspected of having been favorable to the stockmen are in fear of violence from the other party. The streets have been quiet but full of people, and business is at a standstill. Sheriff Angus has turned the prisoners in jail over to Col. Van Horne. Violence is not apprehended at present, but if the rumored invasion should occur, or it some vicious rumors should gain credence, in the present state of excitement one cannot tell what might happen.