The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-06-05
THE BR|GANDS OF The WEST,
j 9 H N / 9 N O,
WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.

Bonney assumed at the solicitation OF the
Sheriff Of Rock Island, the task OF ferreting
out and arresting the murderers Of Col. Daven
port, was not only all extremely difficult but
hazardous ope The very idea OF the pursuit
of four desperate robbers and murderers, who
were continually changing their names and
shifting from place to place under cover OF the
night was calculated to discourage an ordinary
mind. while the prospect of falling into the
hands Of the barbarous objects OF the chase,
was appalling in the extreme. The threats too,
made by the banditti against him IN conse-
quence OF his agency in the conviction of the
Hodges, was calculated to increase the gravity
Of the alternative; but setting aside all
thoughts of personal danger, or calculation OF
convenience he accepted of the task. on the
guarantee of the support and protection Of his
family, in the event Of losing his life in the un-
dertaking.
To begin properly, it was necessary he should
fix upon some general system of proceeding,
and 1t was likely that in his inquiries after the
objects OF his search he would be obliged fire.
quently TO assume the character Of free
booter, il would be necessary also n supply
himself with credentials of knavish character,
that would give him currency as rogue
wherever he produced them. To provide him
self in this way, he hit upon the excellent ex-
pedent OF procuring from the Miners Bank at
Dubuque, a number OF the sheets OF blank
bank notes on that institution, which he might
represent on falling in with rogues, to be
new counterfeit emission which he and certain
talented associates had been getting up, and
which he was gong South to get signed, by
person skillful in the branch OF imitation. II
required some influence to obtain so high
trust as this, but Bonney's well known integri-
ty and the ma nitude OF the object which he
had in view, supplied HIM with letters Of credit
to the bank, which made the matter certain
Before, however, he had proceeded 10 Du-
buque, for these valuable articles, circum-
stance turned up in Montrose, which COR
roborated bis suspicious against the Longs and
Fox, and which strengthened his determina-
ton IN the task before him.
In the meantime Potter's house at Thief's
Ferry, was destroyed, and soon after ii hap
pened, there came into Montrose. the noted
gentleman with the scar, named Jack Baker,
whom our readers have seen acting as a vdette
in Washington Grove, and also holding an in
terview with the Receiver at Rock Island, Ills,
preliminary to the robbery OF the store OF
Knox d Walker. Jack had with him splen-
did span Of bay horses, which he offered for
sale, and which had doubtless been stolen by
him in some portion Of the upper country.
After he had been in town two DAYS, Bonney
fell in with him and recognizing by his marks.
as set down in hs memorandum, that he was
one Of the banditti with whom both the Longs
had casually associated. lie entered into con-
versation, and by the adroit adoption OF some
slang, managed to obtain a considerable por-
tion OF Jacks confidence. In short, Baker re-
ally took Bonney to he one OF the true stripe,
and on his making casual allusion to the names
of Long and Fox, he exclaimed with look Of
great pleasure:
"Ah, l see you are acquainted with Fox
" With most of the bows" was Bonneys re-
ply.
~ haven't seen Fox and the Longs for sew
eral months" said Baker. ." Ever since last
winter l have been in the upper part OF Mis-
souri, and have not known much of what has
been going on along the river"
Are YOU acquainted with the Reddens al
Devils Greek 2" asked Bonney.
"Only by reputation. 1 have frequently
heard the boys speak OF them 2" was the an
swer.
"Well," continued BonDey. II think you
could learn where some of them are, by going
to the old man Reddens. They usually stop
with hlIn when in that vicinity.
Baker acceded to this idea, and after days
absence, returned and finding Bonney, ac-
quainted him that he had met with good luck.
did you see any OF the boys, said Bonney
with an eagerness that almost betrayed a
special purpose.
"No, but heard all about them, " SAID Ba-
ker, dropping his voice, and looking cautiously
around as If he feared being heard.
"what did you hear ?" inquired Bonney, un.
consciously adopting the the same tone.
"why damn 1t man :" said Baker In Bonney's
very ear; they're the ones who killed Daven-
port"
How do you know that 2" said Bonney.
OIu hcuueu tOiu tue all ABOUT IL Az urbt
he was little shy, but soon he recollected
hearing the boys speak of me, and becoming
satisfied that was one Of the right stripe, he
told me the whole story"
Well" answered Bonney, "keep tight
mouth about it, or the boys will get in trouble
What is the old mans story OF the affair z"
"Why, Fox, John, Aaron and Birch, all
started from the old mans place, to rob the
Colonel, and when they returned with their
booty, they buried it in his wheat field. They
renamed close in there until they got news
that Colonel Davenport was dead and then
they put off.
" Where are they now r
3" They went back into Missouri, but old.
Redden don't know exactly where they are
now
" They are safe, anyhow. | suppose
"oh yes, they are acquainted all through
the country, and nave got lots OF friends
The picture OF the murder now stood re-
vealed. and the task that renamed was to dis
cover the testimony necessary to convict the
perpetrators. This required time and perse-
A. 1fac1Oqnroa Of Iapk