The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1868-05-03
The CAPTURE OF THE Horse THIEVES

I
On the 231 o. April two men, known as Burk
an Irishman, and Charles Lent, Dutch
man, went to Doc. Benton's stable, in Car
son, and hired two horses to GO to Empire
City, to be absent short time. Several
hours having elapsed, and Benton becoming
uneasy, started in pursuit of the stock, but
| could not fiEd any trace Of it, and concluded
that it had been stolen. He came to this city
! Friday morning and secured the services of
| Deputy Constable Lackey to find the stock.
The two at once started east in pursuit.
From Mr.. Lackey we learn the following
particulars: The first trace Of the stolen
stock was discovered at Buckland's near Fort
Churchill, parties riding horses answering
the description having been seen riding east
At Sand Springs the scent was renewed, the
thieves having passed Westgate. The trail
was next discovered east Of Cold Springs,
through an Indian, next of +. +. Wightman,
agent at that point. Here it was ascertained
that the men had taken to the mountains
accordingly, Lackey and Benton drove around
BY the road to Antone's, on Edwards creek.
Following the canon up, the pursued were
heard from at Sod House. They drove there,
and Lackey jumped from the carriage, went
into the place. which is bnilt of sods. He
asked Young man in attendance where the
two men were who stopped there last
night" The man said one had just gone out
Of the door, the other was in a cellar at the
rear of the house. Iackey at once proceeded
to the place which was quite dark He call
ed the man to come out, and Burk answered
10 the call. They went to the front of the
house, where Lackey proceeded to search
Burk. Lackey told Benton to have the boy
90 and look after the stock, but instead of
sending the bNv. both started. As soon as
they had turned the corner, Burk made an
attack on Lackev. and tried 10 wrench away
his pistol. Failing, he ran back into the
the house, and went 10 4 box in which knives
were kept. LackPv followed, and told him
to come out to the light or he would shoot him |
IN the legs. Bark then came out, being ap- /,
parently much excited at discovering that
Benton was present, and having in his hand |
a sharp steel brad, or stick, about four inches |
in length. Upon coming out he made AT
Llckev again. who backed from him so as to
avoid being graHpled (as Burk was powerful
man, weighing at least two hundre1l and |
having his revolver taken from him. Lackey
told him to stand, hut he turned and ran
about a hundred yards, closely pursued by
Lackcv, who demanded Of him 10 stop or he
would shoot. Bark turned, grappled Lackev,
\ no tired To retreat. and then ensued scutils
or possession Of the pistol LaCkCy again
demanded him to be quiet and submit or he
would certainly shoe. him. Burk said he
iidnt care a d; it was either life or death
0 him, and he would either kill Lackev or be
,illed by him, rather than be captured He
gain advanced and seized Lackcv's pistol
" the barrel, and attempted TO use the steel
'rai. when Lackey wrenched the pistol away
nd fired. Burk fell dead, having received
he shot between the eyes, the bullet penc-
rating the brain. The accomplice, Lent,
Meantime had fed, going in the direction of ,
Austin, leaving both horses and saddles at
he corral. Word was at once dispatched TO
Iarshall knerr and Sheriff Sanborn Of Aus
n. who mounted, and at Reese River found I
nd arrested Lent, who was sent to Westgate
nd there taken in charge by Lackey and
rouGht to this city.
Burk was an Irishman about 80 wears of =
70. and thoroughly desperate. But little |
as been aScertained as to his previous his =
nv. Lackey and Benton deserve great Gre
: for their perseverance in this affair.
Lent is an honest looking Dutchman. and
Tvs (of course) that Burk whom he had
lown 9 days, rnticed him to get drunk, and r
ter the horses were stolen and when near
ort Churchill that he relented, bat Burk
reatened to Kill Kim with stone if he
red offer to turn back. He also said that
ark wanted to rob sick man OF two shot
ms, but that he prevented it. He ascribes
his troubles TO whisky, but seems to take '
~ philosophical view Of the future and
e quiet home which he is evidently design v
to occupy.-|frginta 7respaes.