AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9919, 7 September 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY.

SINGULAR CRIMINAL CASE.

The final chapter in one of the most remarkable criminal cases of the age has just been concluded in the States. Two years ago Treasurer Barret Scott, of Holt County, became a defaulter to the extent of 100,000 dollars, and fled to Mexico. After a series of peculiar incidents he was captured, and returned to Nebraska. A trial resulted in bis conviction. By the exertion of great political influence he secured a stay of sentence, and continued to enjoy his liberty. Feeling had reached fever heat between bis friends and enemies in this part of the State by this time, and the situation was known to be critical. While enjoying a ride in his family carriage with his wife and child m a thickly-settled neighbourhood, Scott was surprised by a body of masked men. He w&4farmed, and resisted. The carriage was riddled with bullets, several of the pants were wounded, and the convicted defaulter was dragged from his screaming wife and child. He was never seen alive again. A month later

BIS MUTILATED BODY WAS FOUND under the ice in the Niobrara River, miles from the scene of the capture. Dozens of men were arrested, but the authors of the crime have not yet been brought to justice. Among those familiar with the affair, however, there exists no doubt that the details of the murder are Known to many people, and that at least a dozen participated in tbe work. With the rise of the Populist party and the decline of the old parties several years ago in Nebraska, came rumours in many sections of looted public treasuries. In many cases these reports were urged with much effect. Some counties had been in the hands of one set of politicians since their formation. Daring this time one set of men frequently had the administration of financial affairs. This condition naturally led to very loose business methods. Holt County was no «xception to the general rule. In 1893 Barret Scott was closing his second term as Treasurer of Holt County. Prior to that it had been in the hands of Scott's friends. He was a Republican and a " good fellow." He would do anything for a friend. He had hosts of them ; in fact, it was commonly said he could have any office in tbe gift of the people who knew him. He was being prominently mentioned as a candi- , ' date for State Treasurer. The first suspicion of trouble developed in tbe shape Of COLT EUMOCES AEOCT THE COUNTY FUNDS, It was said that Scott had loaned them promiscuously to hi 3 friends. At first these reports were attributed to political enemies. But the cloud grew rapidly. Scott wanted a third term. Being a "good fellow" covers a multitude of sins in the West, but the average voter draws the line Of three successive terms in office, be the position ever so small. Scott's friends remonstrated. He could not be re-elected again, they said. Scott was determined. He pleaded with his friends to stand by him. He appeared too anxious. Many began to credit the rumours of crooked work in tho Holt County Treasurer's office. The Populists saw Scott's situation, and, to make political capital, forced the issue by demanding to see his cash. If he refused it people would be satisfied the money was gone. If he permitted the investigation the result was equally fatal, far, in truth, the money was gone. In desperation he visited an Omaha bank, and on the payment of 1000 dollars completed an arrangement by which on a certain day the bank would send a trusted agent to Holt County with 50,000 dollars in gold. Scott might count it as Holt County funds for one day, but always in the presence of the Omaha bank's agent, who was armed and ready for fight, if necessary, to protect the money. Then Scott began to defy the Populists, and boasted that by a certain day he would >XHIBIT A PILE OS GOLD a bis own private vault which belonged bo the county, and that every penny was there. It was a desperate game, but for the time it looked like a winner. At the time announced the Omaha man arrived with the gold. Scott pointed to the great stacks of yellow metal, and demanded tbat the Populist Committee exonerate bim. The committee counted the gold. Every dollar was there. Scott's friends were jubilant, and the opposition was correspondingly depressed. Barret Scott was never stronger, politically, in Holt County than on the eve of his fall. A third term was in sight. All was smooth sailing. It will' never be known just how the secret leaked out. Perhaps the presence of the strange man from Omaha constantly at the vault door provoked suspicion. However, tbe next day, before signing the statement exonerating Scott of all charges of dishonesty, the Populist Committee asked for a last peep at the county money. One more look, and they would sign the statement" that would have elected him to a third terra, and have postponed the humiliating confession for two years, and perhaps for ever. But the money was not there. The bank agent had started that very morning for Omaha. Scott had to refuse. Yet there was no excuse for the refusal, as far as the committee knew. But the more Scott protested that press of other business demanded bis immediate attention, the more persistent the committee became. The members saw a chance to avoid helping a political enemy. Finally, they boldly demanded to see tho money. The defaulter taw that he had reached the end of his string. Ho had FLAYED A DESPERATE GAME, AND HAD LOST. , He very pleasantly told the committee that be would open tho vault again the next day and show them the money. They consented. Scott was nob to be found the next day. The vault was locked, and, though it appeared a trifle suspicious, the truth did not dawn on the Populist Committee until Scott was safe in Mexico. Then it was discovered that the lock of the vault had been deliberately broken. The door "could not be opened for several days. When it wa3, not a cent of county funds could be found. All Holt County was wild. The farmers were poor, and, with no prospects of a crop, they had to face an impoverished county treasury. Months later Scott was captured in Mexico. He made a desperate fight against extradition. He declared that if he was taken back to Holt County the people he had betrayed would lynch him. But he was finally taken back to the scene of his crime. At once a number of influential friends gathered around Scott, and an abundance of money was contributed for bis defence. It was said openly that these men came to Scott's assistance because they had participated in the looting of the county treasury, and feared the consequences of his being deserted and forced to a confession. Their influence was powerful. They could nob prevent a Holt County jury finding him guilty ; but after he had been sentenced to the penitentiary for five years SOME MYSTERIOUS INFLUENCE gave him his liberty, and the convicted defaulter walked tbe streets r.s free a3 if he had not stolen 100,000 dollars. Months passed, and it looked as if Barret Scotb would never bo sent to the penitentiary. Finally, tho farmers got the impression that Barret Scott still had the county funds concealed somewhere. It is frequently asserted that the murderers of Barret Scott got possession of the stolen funds of Holt County. Many believe this to be the truth; while others are satisfied that the Vigilantes tried the defaulter and found him guilty according to their primitive methods, and proceeded to remove him without pity. The other side is equally confident that the men who profited by Scott's stealings killed him. A dozen men were arrested, all connected with the Protective Association, or ex-Vigilantes. The prosecution was pushed on the theory that the murder was committed by that order. But the strength of the organisation was under-estimated. Men made no secret of their connection with either organisation after the fight started. Ib was nob such a terrible thing in the estimation of those stern pioneers to have assisted in removing a felon who could nob be reached by the law which punishes the poor man. The representative in the Legislature from the county boasted on the floor of the Capitol that be was a member. When the trial approached George D. Millihan, Alf. R. Harris, and Mose T. Elliot were the only ones the State thought ib could convicb. To avoid the influence of the Vigilantes, the case waa taken to Boyd County. The defendants admitted thab they were Vigilantes, and there is little doubt that many of tho jury were members of the same

order. The defence of all waa an alibi. They proved by dozens of old settlers that white they were nob at home the night Barrst Scott was murdered they were out on the plains looking for stock. It was a little singular that they were banting stock at that time of the year, but the word of so many pioneers could not be impeached, and the prisoners were acquitted.