Roslyn Aftermath

Matt Warner was spending his days rotting in an Ellensburg, Washington jail awaiting trial for his part in robbing the payroll of the Benjamin E. Snipes & Co. in Roslyn, Washington. Warner wasn’t alone for long. George McCarty, brother of Tom & Bill, was brought to Ellensburg after being arrested at his home in Sumpter, Oregon. As Warner tells it, his only crime was being a McCarty. Despite Warner’s denial, there may be more to George McCarty’s arrest. Newspaper accounts claim five men rode into Roslyn that September afternoon. Further suspicion is cast by family turncoat Sarah Morgan who claims Warner told her three others joined The Invincible Three in the heist. Morgan says George McCarty and his wife Nellie participated along with Bill McCarty’s son Fred. Nellie’s job was to watch over the relay horses used in the getaway.

Warner hired a lawyer to represent them, providing the attorney with a map to the buried gold at the 7U Ranch. After handing over a small fortune Warner was left with no choice but to wait. And wait. Sitting in jail gives a man a lot of time to think and even more time to simmer in paranoia. When things did not move fast enough for Warner’s liking, he suspected the lawyer of double-crossing him. It was then that Matt Warner began to work on Plan B.

While in jail, Warner stuck a friendship with two fellow inmates who were getting out. They agreed to provide Warner and McCarty with supplies – guns, ammo, a file and metal saw. Once on the outside, they would pass the materials to the inmates through the window so they could escape. Two days before their trial, Warner and McCarty began their escape. Starting at nightfall, it wasn’t until early the next morning before they were able to break free from their cell. By this time the town was beginning to stir. Warner and McCarty hastily tried to disguise themselves as Indians using blankets and smudging their faces with mud. Despite their altered appearance, the two men were quickly found out and the alarm sounded.

With the entire town alerted to their escape, Warner and McCarty were left with no choice but attempt to shoot their way out of town. Warner shot one of the mob and just as quickly McCarty was badly wounded from gunshots to the shoulder and neck. Realizing McCarty could go no further, Warner commandeered the nearest house and dragged his partner inside. Temporarily free from the mob, it became painfully obviously to the two men that not only were they trapped, but any attempt at escape would mean certain death. Still, Warner was determined not to give up without a fight, although one that did not necessarily require weapons.

Warner cautiously stepped outside to confront the officers. At first Warner invited the officers inside to discuss the situation, when they refused, Warner gave a speech to the gathering crowds.

“All right. If you don’t want to talk, I’ll do a little talking for myself. I’m going to tell the citizens a few things they ought to know and I warn you officers and every other gun-shooting hombre in this here crowd they hadn’t better move while I’m making this speech. McNeil, I’m watching you. I’ll get you first. Banks, I’ll get you next. Mead, I’ll get you next.” (The Last of the Bandit Riders)

Warner proceeded to detail his version of the corrupt officers and the inhuman conditions McCarty and himself were forced to endure while in captivity. By the end of the speech, Warner had won over the crowd. Satisfied that he had spoken his peace, Warner surrendered to the officers.

Back in jail, with the eyes of the entire town watching, the sheriff was left with no choice but to improve the inmates treatment. Their lawyer, however, was not bound by the same niceties. Explaining to Warner and McCarty that a jailbreak is equal to an admission of guilt, the attorney let the two men have it. Warner protested that the only reason they attempted to escape was his belief that the lawyer double-crossed them. The lawyer explained that these things took time, and any headway they had made may have be jeopardized by the escape attempt.

The following day, Warner and McCarty had their day in court. To their shock, the case was dismissed before opening arguments were made. Happy to be going home, the two men made a quick exit where they were immediately arrested again for the jailbreak and subsequent shooting of the civilian during the escape. Their trial was set for the following day.

Luckily for the Warner and McCarty, the trial was quick and in their favor. After two trials, the two men were finally free to go home. Not taking any chances, McCarty left town immediately. Warner decided to stop by the lawyer’s office before leaving. The attorney refunded $500 dollars of the 7U’s buried treasure to Warner. Incredulous at the meager return, Warner asked what could have possibly cost that much money. The attorney explained he had to hire private investigators, and despite the expense, it was worth every penny. The investigators gained evidence that the prosecutor was involved with an affair with Sarah Morgan.

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