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The governor declines a stay of execution for Kansas Charley. The Johnson County War is halted. The hired Texas killers are set free.
During what became entitled the Johnson County War, the so-called vigilantes, consisting of twenty-two hired killers from Texas and numerous Wyoming cattle barons did their dirty work on small ranchers and farmers. All the while Wyoming high officials, including Acting Governor Barber, ignored what was taking place out on the range and on smallholdings. U. S. Troops Step InAfter the vigilantes committed some murders, on April 11, they were met by two hundred armed men who were ready to put a halt to their actions. A bloodbath erupted. On April 13, nine days prior to the date that Kansas Charley was to be hung, U. S. Army troops put a final halt to the killings. Judge Dismisses Charges Against KillersThe hired killers from Texas were arrested and hauled off to jail, soon to be tried in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Two fur trappers who had witnessed what the killers had done were quietly removed from the state. Judge Richard Scott, the man who had sentenced Kansas Charley to death, dismissed all charges against the Texans who returned to their home state. Acting Governor Amos Barber, who had been in on the cattle war, just as others who were in high positions and members of the famed Cheyenne Club, now needed a means to show the public his upstanding devotion for law and justice. And, as Barber well realized, he had at present the exact incarcerated tool to utilize; serving justice on one Charles Miller, known as Kansas Charley. April 22, 1892, the last day that Charley would spend alive was quickly approaching. Even in the short time between the Johnson County War events and the date of Charlie's execution petitions were still being circulated and signed, urging the governor to grant clemency. Letters came pouring into the governor's office and personal appearances were made in an attempt to convince Barber to halt Kansas Charlie's hanging. Acting Governor Barber never wavered in his decision. Kansas Charley A Legal Victim: Hired Texas Killers Go Free, continues with Kansas Charlie's Day of Execution: A Fine Suit of Clothes At Last. Previous: Kansas Charley Rescued : Johnson County War Makes Headlines.
The copyright of the article Kansas Charley A Legal Victim in American History is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish Kansas Charley A Legal Victim in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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