French-Glenn brought Ejectment lawsuits against multiple homesteaders in 1896 and 1897, it turned the homesteaders tolerance to acrimony. French weaponized the judicial system filing suit in the faraway courthouse of Portland, Oregon. He did this for three reasons. First, to burden homesteader families by forcing them to travel. Second, to impose maximum costs on them. And third, because public sentiment in Harney County would likely prejudice a jury against French-Glenn. The Portland court sent the case back down to Harney County courthouse where it belonged. This started a maelstrom of court filings from local homesteaders and French-Glenn alike. Tensions toward French grew to a crescendo that would ultimately lead to his death. This was no surprise to anyone, not even French himself. For years he openly shared that he believed he may end up getting himself killed. Trial of Edward Olivier Olivier was initially charged with murder. He pled not guilty and was let out on $10,000.00 bail that was furnished by seven local supporters. The day before the trial was to begin, the charges were dropped. Supporters of French called the trial "fixed" however, the prosecution aimed for a lesser charge of Manslaughter to counter Olivier's claim of self-defense. The trial began May 18, 1898 in the Harney County Courthouse. Olivier had been in a dispute with French for some time about an easement that would grant Olivier the legal right to cross through a piece of French's land to get to Olivier's home. Without an easement Olivier would be forced to increase his travel by over . It had been reported by more than a few that French made it a habit to punish Olivier for his supposed trespassing in humiliating fashion. He had quirted (whipped with a horse whip) Olivier in public at least 5 times. Lifelong rancher Alva Springer testified for the defense to French's public ridicule, "Here sits a little man who has nothing to say. You were in my field yesterday. Whenever the time comes right and I catch you there, I will fix you." Several others testified to witnessing French's public promise to "fix", even "shoot", Olivier if the opportunity is ever presented. The state had called nearing twenty witnesses, seven of which were French employees and witnessed the killing from varying distances. Their claims were more or less the same. Olivier was seen riding toward the gate that would have given him