Clipper no. 50

August 14, 1903

Page 1

Terrible Death Of Ross Stringer and Frank Bryant at The Hand of James Dollard Thursday. Both Men Suffer Greatly Before Death.

The Former Victim Lives Seventeen Hours After Receiving Blow Over Left Temple While Bryant Survives His Revolver Wounds One Day. Dollard Gives Himself Into Custody of Officers Immediately After Shooting and Is Safely Lodged in Jail. Lander Greatly Shocked By Double Crime Which Took Place In The Midst Of Its Business Portion. Young Stringer's Family Reside at Dubois But Messenger Makes Rapid Time. Sorrow Throughout The Valley.

Tragic Death of Frank Bryant

The city was startled from its usual calm Wednesday afternoon by the report of two pistol shots on Main street about five o'clock and the news was spread that Frank Bryant had been dangerously wounded by James Dollard in the Free Silver saloon. As it has been a long number of years since anything of the kind occured in Lander great excitement prevailed for awhile.

From an account of the affair given by those present it seems that Dollard had asked Bryant to come into the saloon to have a drink and the two entered, talking and laughing, apparently on the best of terms. There were several men present and Dollard invited them all to drink with them. Each man called for his favorite liquid, Bryant taking a cigar as it is a well known fact that he has not been drinking since his return from the penitentiary last fall. After all had been served, those present, with the exception of Bryant and Dollard, moved away from the bar leaving the two men conversing in a friendly manner. A few minutes later Dollard again asked that all drink with him. Mr. Grimmett, proprietor of the place, made the remark "Jim you are liable to get us all full." Dollard replied in a laughing manner and again did Mr. Grimmett and the others move away after receiving their drinks, this time going to the front of the saloon which is seperated from the bar by spring, shutter-like doors where they started to examine some gold bearing rock recently sent down from South Pass.

Suddenly a pistol shot rang out from behind the screen doors and Bryant staggered out in a stooping position followed by Dollard who shot him in the back when he (Bryant) was but a few feet away. Jim the put the smoking revolver in his pocket and Mr. Grimmett asked him why he had committed the terrible deed. Dollard replied "I had to. I couldn't stand it any longer." Mr. Grimmett said "Jim, give me tnat gun," he answered "alright, here it is" and handed over a 38 Colt's revolver. Upon being advised that he had better give himself up to an officer Dollard said to the proprietor "I surrender myself to you." City Marshal Reed was soon on the scene and took charge of Dollard, shortly afterward turning him over to Deputy Sheriff Allen Axe who placed him in jail.

Bryant after receiving the two bullet shots which had passed clear through his body and into the wall staggered outside the saloon and fell to the sidewalk still fully conscious. He was immediately taken to the hospital where it was seen that he was wounded to death. He seemed to realize that such was the case and asked the doctors if there was any chance. He was told that there might be by fighting for it and the wounded man, although seeming to doubt their words, commenced the unequal struggle. He asked that his boy, Jesse, a young man of eighteen years old, he sent for and upon his arrival said "My boy, it seems hard that your father after just coming from the penitentiary and trying to do right should die this way." He gave his son some good advice while suffering greatly and requested that a priest be sent for. Bryant made a statement in which he swore that there was no provocation for the shooting which was borne out by those present when the deed was committed who heard no quarreling or loud words spoken whatever although not over a dozen feet away from the men.

The wounded man made a heroic struggle against death but passed away at 5:07 the following afternoon fully conscious almost to the last. The funeral occured Friday at two o'clock p.m. from the Catholic church where a large number of people gathered to pay their last respects and lay a wreath on the coffin of the man who, perhaps, had done wrong and had suffered for it, but was endeavoring to retrieve the past when death overtook him. The remains were interred in Odd Fellows cemetery.

The first bullet which struck Bryant penetrated his left lung carrying bits of bone far into that organ by its passage. The second shot entered from the back, two and one-half inches to the left of the spine and passed through the abdominal cavity, penetrating the stomach and liver without injury to the bowels and came out one inch to the left of the medium line.

The deceased was born in Indiana but had resided in Lander valley for many years. At one time he was the owner of considerable property and cattle but through trouble lost a greater portion of his wealth. He leaves one son who by his untimely death is made an orphan.

The Clipper extends sympathy to the bereaved boy and friends in their hour of sorrow.