Waggoner came to Wyoming from Nebraska and was engaged in the horse raising business. His herd increased quite rapidly and the stockmen called him a rustler. This was never established and today there are many reputable people who declare that he was brave, kind hearted, generous and a law-abiding citizen. His 1,000 head of horses have been virtually lost to the heirs by legal protection, but thus far none of them has been identified as “stolen.” Just before daylight on the morning of November 1st, 1891, four men entered the cabin of W. H. Hall, on Powder River, where Nathan D. Champion and Ross Gilbertson were living. As the door swung open it stood against the foot of the bunk occupied by Champion. With pistols pointed, one of the party said, “Give up; we have got you this time,” and immediately fired at the body of Champion. The latter seized his revolvers from under his pillow and commenced shooting, whereupon the would-be murderers escaped from the house. The blood at the door, the gun, clothing and horses left near the cabin not only evidenced the fact of some effective shooting on the part of Champion, but gave identification as to the assaulters. Joe Elliott was arrested, charged with attempt to murder, and on a preliminary hearing put under $5,000 bonds. The witnesses having been killed or run out of the country, the case was finally dismissed. Defeated in their attempt to kill Champion and Gilbertson, and getting the worst of the house-breaking plan, the stockmen naturally put their heads together to devise other methods of procedure. Bodily safety seemed to be a controlling idea in the new system of campaign, which proved to be that of ambushing. District Court met in Buffalo late in November, 1891, and business of one kind or another called in many of the country people. This would afford the desired opportunity to waylay their victims on the road going to or returning from the county seat. True to the well-matured plans, the killing began on the evening of the 28th of November. Orley E. Jones, familiarly known as “Ranger Jones,” a young man of 23 years, went to Buffalo to arrange for lumber to complete his house on his claim, expecting to get married as soon as the building was ready for occupancy. He started home on the afternoon of the 28th, driving two horses to a buckboard. At the crossing of Muddy Creek, fifteen miles out from town, he was shot three times by someone in hiding under the bridge. The wagon was taken to a gully some distance from the road, the horses turned loose, and Jones’ body left in the buckboard, the murderer or murderers seeking safety in flight.