A Violent Dispute on the White River

Yesterday morning we published the item that a German named Fred Seely had come into town and stated that he had been assaulted by two men from this vicinity who had beaten him and stolen his horse, and that he had sworn out a warrant for their arrest, charging them with assault. The warrant was placed in the hands of Constable Thornton, who went up White river and arrested the parties in question, and brought them to town. The men accused with the crime are young, one 21 and the other 30 years of age. Their names are respectively Rathray Ham and Al. B. Farnsworth, and they were both employees of H. C. Jefls on White river, where they were found when arrested. Both men are bruised, but refused to make a statement for publication. Constable Thornton says they told him they took Seely's place and left him. The horse was found there, but the saddle and bridle were missing. Ham has quite a severe cut in the shoulder, and one of Farnsworth's hands is cut. They waived examination and were placed under $500 bonds each, by Justice Hill, to appear on Monday afternoon for trial on a charge of assault, the question of highway robbery not yet having been raised. Rich Hansell became their bondsman, and they were released. Farnsworth has worked for Mr. Jefls for the past four years. After considerable persuading, the writer secured the following statement from Ham: 'The German commenced on me in the shoulder, and I will lodge a complaint against him for assault with a dangerous weapon.' Seely sticks to his original story. He says he was riding along, attending to his own business and perfectly sober, when these two young fellows, who knew his horse, threw the grass at it and attempted to beat him. He had to defend himself, slashing left and right. He does not deny cutting both of the men, but says he did it to save his life and prevent being robbed of his money.