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Upon
his arrival home after placing Harry Shissler, the convicted murderer of
George Williams in the Idaho Penitentiary last week Sheriff Green of Idaho
county had an interesting story to tell the Lewiston Tribune.
After
Shissler’s escape from the Idaho county jail at Grangeville, he fled to
a point on the Clearwater river, the location of which he kept secret.
He remained there but a short time when he hurried into California.
From that state he drifted into the Goldfields mining district of
Nevada. He met people there
who knew him and fearing that his identity would be revealed he left and
returned to Idaho county to the same point on the Clearwater.
Early in October he decided it was again time to move and started
south again.
Was
Not in Lewiston
Despite
the stories that he was seen in Lewiston, Shissler denies that he passed
through the city. He came
down the river by way of Culdesac, avoided Lewiston and crossed the Snake
river at the ferry just below Asotin.
He traveled overland to Pomeroy and from that point went directly
to Salt Lake City. In Salt
Lake he became ill with lagrippe and was confined to his bed for about two
weeks. Recovering, he
departed at once for Reno, at which point he was captured.
Wore
No Disguise
Shissler
during all the time he spent in Utah, Nevada and California traveled with
no disguise except a small mustache.
He was continually on the lookout for arrest and the strain upon
him was very evident in his manner. In
California and Nevada he followed the occupation of a professional
gambler, and went under the name of Billy Smith.
To the gambling fraternity he was known as “Smithy.”
Desperate
Event at Arrest
Shissler
was recognized in Reno by someone who had known him in Idaho County, and
that person, whose name Sheriff Greene refuses to divulge, “peached”
on him. The arrest was made
by Chief of Police R.C. Leeper of Reno.
The desperateness of Shissler was never shown better than at the
arrest. He was sitting at a gambling table when the chief and a
deputy entered at his rear. Quietly
they approached with their weapons ready.
They were taking no chances. AT
an opportune moment a gun was held at his head. He was commanded to rise and the handcuffs were snapped on
his wrist in a twinkling. AS
soon as the officers released their hold Shissler reached for his
revolver, but anticipating such a move a gun was placed at his head and he
then surrendered quietly.
He
went to Boise, where he was placed in the penitentiary Saturday night,
without requisition papers. He
expressed hope of a new trial soon and trusted that he would not have to
remain in the penitentiary the eight years of his sentence.
He said that he left Idaho County the last time with $500 and when
arrested had lost it all at the gambling table.
Green
Gives $250 Reward
Idaho
count y had offered no reward for the apprehension of Shissler and Sheriff
Greene, out of his own pocket, gave Chief of Police Leeper a reward of
$250 for the officer’s arrest of the man wanted so badly in Idaho
County.
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