The Nevada Democrat., 1858-05-19

The following particulars in relation to the
pursuit and capture of the murderers of Frank
Lane is from the Mariposa Gazette Extra:
Col. E. Potter, of Knights Ferry, has with
others, been in the pursuit Of the murderers Of
Lane ever since that event occurred They
were followed to San Francisco and to yarieus
places in the coast range, and upon the San
joaquin river, but finally, all traces OF the rob
bers and marderers seemed lost, and the party
| in pursuit disbanded-Col. Potter taking, alone
the route homewards by way of the lower Mar
iposa. When at the sink Of that stream, at the
ranch Of Mr.. Waters, he heard again of the par
| ty who had, as appeared, abandoned their hor-
ses and were travelling leisurely up the Mari
posa Greek. They were three in number, and
had passed several days before. Col. Potter
Immediately followed, hearing of them occa
sionally, to within six miles of MOrmon Bar
one mile below this place, at which he arrived
on Wednesday evening last. AT Jee's store he
was informed that two men had been encamp
ed about half mile back Of the Bar and under
circumstances of rather suspicious character
and further was told that these men had left q
day or two before. Col Potter came TO town
aud on the following morning, accompanied by
Sheriff Crippen, proceeded 10 the place desig-
mated as their camping ground. In the camp,
articles were picked up corresponding to arti-
/ Clcs lOuuO III tuclI lOitucl NdulpSt auu llOiH IL
foot prints led up hill of no great elevation,
and covered densely with brushwood aud rocks
Col. Potter leaving his horse with the Sheriff
followed the trail and GU arriving at the top OF
| the hill, found himself confronted by three rob
| bers who were concealed, and could not be
seen until within few feet Apparently moi
! fearing man alone, comparatively unarmed
they clvily answered his questions regarding
some stray horses. Gel. +. soon left theil
camp, and with the Sheriff came to town. With
in one hour large party had accompanied
them back to the place but the robbers had lei
for other parts. They had doue SO evidently
with great precipitation, for a number of arti
cles, stolen about here recently, aud among
them three saddles, taken from the stable o
McDermott * Co., on the Friday night previous
were found. No doubt no existing as to thei
character, parties started ia pursuit. FRIDAY
night it was ascertained that they were in the
mountains to the eastward Of Smiths Bar. Ol
the Mariposa Creek, about four miles from thi
place.
Yesterday morning large party started tt
search that locality. Their camp for the nigh
before, was found, but not the robbers. Iafor
nation was then received that fresh trail o
men had been found near the ranch of Alexan
der a. Coy, one mile further on AT this place
! q party of seven were detached TO make exam
| nations The trail was found iD an almost lm-
passable guch, upon either side Of which was
huge rock aud impenetrable brushwood. Col
Z. dismounted and followed the trail across the
guch to a large cluster of rocks of circular
form, in the center of which stoUd large live
oak. II was complete fort and was accessi-
ble only in one place. and that by cleft OF
some fifteen feet in length, the width of which
would admit but one person. Into this place
| Col. p. penetrated, following on the trail, the
others of the party waiting on the outside
| When nearly In, two shots were fired at him,
at q distance of not more than eight feet, but
did not touch him. He sprang out, called upon
/ the party, and most desperate fight COM
menced the robbers having every advantage.
There were but two of them, the other was out
Of camp. Shooting was incessant fer some min
utes, when the robbers finding il warm work,
rushed from their cOvert,in different directions.
One sprang upon Col. pOtter's horse and gal
lOpsd of, closely pursued by one of the party
who overlook him after ran of five hundred
yards. and gave him the full benefit of two
loads of pistol bullets from a double barrcled
! shot gun, which killed him almost INSTANTLY
| He had beer badly wounded before The other
| rObber fed some three hundred yards down the
gulch and hid himself, but was discovered
about two hours AFTER having crept from his
place of concealment to pool Of water, and
was drinking from his shoe. He was badly
wounded, perhaps mortally, by large rife ball
striking him in the left shoulder and passing
downwards towards the right hip. On discov-
cry he gave himself up and was conveyed tc
Alexander's ranch where his wounds were
dressed and from thence in the evening taken
to this place. What the prospects are of his
recovery from his wound we are not informed
or Col. Potter's party, but one, Mr.. Geiger
was seriously injured He was struck by a
charge of buck-shot in eleven places, but is MOI
We are happy to learn, dangerously wounded.
Col. Potter was grazed by pistol ball il
the elbow, and his escape from death appears
miraculous.
Mr.. Alexander was grazed by pistol ball il
the neck, and cold lead few in uncomfortable
proximity to several others.
The robbers were armed formidably, ant
that half of the attacking party were not killed
seems wonderful.
The personal appearance Of the villains is ne
that OF previous descriptions. Each of the tw'
captured, is fully six feet in height; well built
muscular men, Of rather light complexion
chestnut hair and marked features, eVincinl
determination, and to our eyes, desperation.