Sweetwater Gazette, no. 2 February 10, 1887 IN THE SILENT TOMB On last Thursday afternoon about half past three o’clock all that was mortal of Mr. George B. Campbell was quietly lowered to its last resting place. The funeral was under the immediate direction of Sweetwater Lodge No. 2 F.O.T.W., Messrs. L.S. Cox and Robt. Smith conducting the services of this noble order. The Rev. Mr. Thirloway also assisted in the opening services and briefly referred in well chosen words to the noble qualities and the spotless character of the deceased. The procession which followed the casket to the grave marched from the church to the school house and was conceded to be the largest yet seen in Green River. The pall bearers, all members of the A.O.U.W. were Messrs. Leo Viox, R. Lawrence, S. Dankowski, Chas. Johnson, James Rumble and James Greenhow, who wore their badges with appropriate mourning. The Knights of Labor in charge of Mr. Pat Vickery headed the procession, and the Select Knights in full uniform with their swords draped, marshaled by Lieut. Commander Mr. H.H. Campbell followed the hearse in silent tread. Accompanying the widow with her two children in the chief mourner’s carriage were Mr. and Mrs. Philbrick from Granger and Mr. John Rugg from Montpelier. At the time of his death George was only 45 years of age, but his hour had come and he cheerfully answered the call: Rest, our departed brother, rest, Good while on earth, in heaven blest. --- Rock Springs Independent, May 12, 1887 District Court The case of the people against Barney Todd for the murder of Wm. Gross at Fisher's ranch of the 10th of last April created a great deal of interest at Green River last week. During the continuance of the case, which opened Wednesday evening and was concluded Friday evening, the court room was crowded with spectators a large number of ladies being present. The prisoner was ably defended by Attorney C. D. Clark and A. B. Conoway. Mr. Clark is well versed in the mysteries of the law and knows how to take advantage of every opening for the benefit of his client. His appeal to the jury was a strong and eloquent one, even if he did indulge in some exaggerations. Judge Conoway showed a great deal of keenness in his examination of witnesses and we never saw him so thoroughly woke up as he was in his closing speech to the jury. The examination of witnesses was for the most part tedious-- unneccesarily so, and Judge, jury, witnesses and spectators grew tired of constant repetitions of the same questions and answers. There were only eight or nine witnesses altogether and the examination, cross examinations and re-examination of these occupied Wednesday evening, all day Thursday and part of Thursday evening. It was ten o'clock when Prosecuting Attorney Robinson finished his eloquent and powerful speech to the jury in which he clearly stated the evidence in the case and fairly answered the arguments of the counsel for the defense. Judge Corn then read a brief statement of the law in the case and the jury retired to deliberate on the verdict. The first ballot found the jury pretty evenly divided and gave promise of a lengthy sitting. We shall not disclose the proceedings of the six or eight hours that followed. Those alone who have been on a jury in a case of this kind can appreciate the pleasures of the position. Suffice it to say that about six o'clock in the morning the jury arrived at a unanimous opinion and a verdict of "not guilty as charge in the indictment" was signed by the foreman Mr. O. C. Smith. The verdict was something of a surprise, particularly to those who did not hear all of the testimony, but no one regretted more strongly than the jury that the prisoner could not have been adequately punished for his crime. The case presented itself to the jury in about this light: The indictment against the prisoner was for murder and there were three things for the jury to do. To return a verdict for murder in the first degree, in the second degree, or to acquit the accused. The penalty for murder in the first degree is hanging and for the second degree imprisonment for life. While the murder was clearly proved it seemed to the majority of the jury from the first that there were certain extenuating circumstances in the case that made the penalty of death or imprisonment for life more severe than the crime deserved. Gross had laid in wait to shoot Todd first and Todd was in a state of cowardly fear in consequence and when Gross suddenly appeared in the cabin door in front of him that fatal Sunday afternoon he fired in the sudden conviction that Gross was after him. If the jury could have returned a verdict to imprison the accused for ten, fifteen or twenty years they would have done so but this they could not do. The smallest penalty under the indictment was imprisonment for life. Nearly every one who has noted the workings of the criminal law must conclude that either the law is seriously defective or juries are remarkably stupid. Convictions are rare and are only secured under a very unusual combination of circumstances and the criminal in this county who can't get free through some flaw in the indictment more or less inexcusable is very unfortunate. It is more than probable that had a verdict of guilty being rendered in this case it would have been quashed on the ground of flaws in the indictment. To the non-professional mind it seems as if there is one amendment to the law which justice demands and this is the qualification of murder into a third degree with a penalty of from ten to twenty-five years imprisonment. This leaves some latitude to a jury. Under the same indictment they would then have the power to inflict punishment ranging from ten years imprisonment to the death penalty according to the guilt of the accused and it would be strange if a criminal deserving of punishment would escape scot free. It is also probably that the prisoner would have been found guilty had the indictment been for manslaughter the penalty of which is ten years imprisonment. But under the Grand Jury system by which the evidence against the accused is fully brought out while important testimony favorable to him may not be heard the crime is likely to appear more serious to the Grand Jury and an indictment follow stronger than a full investigation of the facts would warrant. The work of the court was finished Friday morning. The case of the Finn who stabbed a countryman at No. 4 last Christmas was continued till the next term of court owing to the absence of material witnesses for the defense. In the divorce case of Clegg vs. Clegg temporary alimony and the attorney fees were allowed and the case was continued till next term. --- Rock Springs Independent, May 12, 1887 Mrs. Geo. Love died on the east bound passenger just as it was pulling into Cheyenne. --- Rock Springs Independent no. 19 May 12, 1887 Monday was a bad day for No. 1 mine. Besides smashing Adam Cooper’s leg two Chinamen were hurt. One had his head cut by a fall of rock and the other was injured so severely by a pit car that he died shortly afterwards. He was coming out of the entry on a loaded car and his legs were caught by a trip of empties going in. He was thrown on to the track and run over by several cars. His body was badly mangled and he died of his injuries at 10 o’clock that night. --- The Daily Boomerang, July 19, 1887 Judge J. W. Stillman died at Green River Sunday night. He was an old-timer, well liked and respected. --- Salt Lake Tribune, July 24, 1887 Death of Judge Stillman Very many pioneers of the Pacific Coast will remember the late Judge J. W. Stillman, who died at Green River, Wyoming on the 1?th. Born in South Carolina about 1818, he rose to prominence in mercantile circles, which business prospered in 1850 and went to California. After spending several years among the miners, he settled in San Francisco and became wealthy through the rise of property. He was Collector for the city several terms. At the commencement of the late civil war, he joined General Connors command and rose to the rank of Adjutant. He came to this city with General Conner and helped establish Camp Douglas. He remained in the service until 1865 when he was mustered out and soon ?????? went to South Pass, where he remained until 188? When he went to Green River and remained till death. He held the position of justice of the peace for ten years. He was a pleasing and fluent speaker and possessed so much goodness of mind and judgment as to be a favorite among acquaintances, and he was always active and persistent in creating good feeling among the people. His many acts of kindness made him friends everywhere, and the entire community mourns his loss and turned out in full force to pay the last sad rites to his remains, which were given an honored resting place in the cemetery where he died. --- Daily Boomerang no. 149 September 05, 1887 At 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon George Oberg, a little boy about 8 years old was picking up coal at the shutes where an engine was loading with coal. After getting loaded the engine backed up and before little George could get out of its way the cruel wheels were on him, passing over his body just above thelegs and cutting it completely in two. --- Daily Boomerang no. 155 September 12, 1887 Little George Oberg, who was killed by being run over by a caboose in the Rock Springs yards was only six years and three months old. ---