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Thompson’s, Utah May 28—Saturday at
noon Sheriff Tyler of Grand County, and Sam Jenkins,
a cattle owner, were shot and killed by outlaws on
Hill creek, about fifty miles north of here. The
story of the killing as told by Herbert Day, a
deputy sheriff, who was with them, is as follows:
The three men unexpectedly came upon
the camp of the outlaws. Sheriff Tyler and Sam
Jenkins dismounted and started to walk up to them.
When a short distance from them the sheriff spoke to
them, saying: “Hello boys.” The reply could not be
heard by Mr. Day, but as soon as the reply was made
Tyler and Jenkins started to walk to their horses.
As soon as their backs were turned
the outlaws fired and killed them instantly. Herbert
Day was about fifty yards away and saw them fall.
They then fired two shots at Mr. Day, but missed
him.
Sheriff Tyler had not intention of
attempting to arrest them as they had left their
guns on their horses when they dismounted. They were
shot in the back with flat-nose bullets, and the
wounds where they balls came out are very large
ones.
Mr. Day started for assistance and
soon found Sheriff Preece and posse, who had
separated from Sheriff Tyler in the morning. They
decided it advisable to come for more help, as they
didn’t know how many are in the party of outlaws.
Mr. Day saw three outlaws, but there is supposed to
be more, as they had twenty horses.
The bodies of the murdered men were
left where they had fallen. A party of ten from Moab
are expected here every minute, also Sheriff Allred
and posse from Price. When they arrive they will go
at once for the bodies and a desperate attempt will
be made to overtake the outlaws. If they are
overtaken a hard fight will result, as the outlaws
are a desperate lot. They claim they whipped thirty
men in Wyoming and can do the same in Utah.
When Jenkins fell he said: “Dilley.”
From that remark it is almost sure that Dilley was
one of the outlaws. He and Sam Jenkins had
difficulty last fall, during which Dilley hit Sam
Jenkins on the head with a six-shooter, and there is
now a warrant out for his arrest on that offense.
Sheriff Tyler and Sam Jenkins were
both unmarried men. The people of this place are
greatly excited over the killing, as both the men
were very well known and popular.
Sheriff Tyler was a fearless man in
the discharge of his duties. Fear was unknown to
him.
The remains of Sheriff Jess Tyler and
Sam Jenkins have just been brought in here. Sheriff
Tyler was shot twice, both going in under the right
arm and coming out in the abdomen over the left hip.
Jenkins was shot four times, all the shots entering
the in the back between the shoulders and ranging
down, nearly cut his left arm off. The bodies will
be taken to Moab Monday.
Fullerton and King brought the
remains in. They found the outlaws had deserted
their camp, leaving their bedding and part of their
arms, and sixteen horses. They took the arms of the
sheriff and Jenkins. They rode to the Turner ranch,
about twelve miles and compelled the ranchmen to
furnish them fresh horses. They were at the Turner
ranch at dusk Saturday evening, and headed toward
the White mountain county in Colorado. |
