The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-14
THE BR|GAN DS OF THE WEST,
j Q II N L 9 N q,
WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.

WOLF OF The fhA1h1EO.
Immediately on his arrival at Rock Island,
with his prisoners, Long and Birch, and before
he retired to that repose in which we left him
at the close OF our last chapter, Bonney had
given directions to d. 2. Gregg and Joseph
johnson, OF Rock Island, TO hasten immediate
ly to arrest Aaron Long aud John Baxter, two
others of the gang, who, our readers are aware
were equally implicated with the Wolf OF the
Prairiee and Robert Birch, in the murder OF
COL Davenport. Bonney entrusted this task
to other hands, because the exhaustion which
he had undergone, had already begun to affect
his health, and because he deemed it most ad-
vlsable for HIM to remain with his prisoners
at Rock Island. Two hours, therefore, after
his arrival at Rock Island on the night OF the
26th of September, and while he was enjoying
the repose to which he had long been stran-
ger, johnson and Gregg were on their way
after Aaron Long and Baxter. We will raise
the scene for moment on the result OF the
expedition.
1t was bright sunday morning, and on a
broad prairie, called ''Sand Prairie" about
nine miles from Galena, and near to the station
of Old Owen Long. a number OF men were at
work, bsying. The party consisted OF Old
Long himself his son Aaron, and several labor
ers. The old man was perched on the top OF a
cart, loading the heavy grass which the others
pitched up to him, and as be tossed the per-
fumed bundles to their places, the tuoyancy OF
his spirits, at the sight or the rich crop be ore
it In, we're equalled only by the garruhty OF bis
tongue.
"Well boys" he said. - the better the day
the better the deed, is an old saying. and we
are all proving it, for whether you know 1t OF
not, it happens to be Sunday, aud here we are
working like trumps at as fine lot OF hay as
ever fork was stuck into"
''The hay is good enough, and d-n Sunday
anyway" answered Aaron, ''I'm not thinking
about either. I'm wondering why we have MOI
heard OF brother John and Birch for some time
back, don't half like it, and I'm partly inclin-
ed to make myself scarce in this quarter"
''Pooh," rejoined his father, Aaron, yor
are fool. Wen hear OF the boys soon enough
You know they went up to knox county tc
make rsise and it is hardly time to hear from
them yet but halloo who comes here 2" an(
the old man rested with one arm on hls fork
and pointed across the prsirc with the other
Aaron and the rest turned to look in the direc
ton indicated, and beheld party of horsemer
galloping towards them, A foreboding OF dan
ger took possession of the breast of Aaror
Long as the sight met his eyes, but he had NJ
time to guard against it, in any form, befor,
the horsemen were on the spot, and displaying
their pistols, called on the astonished group Il
make no resistance.
''What's the matter 2" asked Old Long
trembling in every limb, who do you want
what's the charge?
I'VE want Aaron Long, answered one OF tn
horsemen, land as for the charge, he Will fin
it out soon enough IN the meantime, men, ar
rest him." and before Aaron, in the confusion
Of his thoughts, well knew what was going Of
around him, he found himself securely bound
and in the hands of the officers Of the law.
Now, forward, march to your own house.
said the leader Of the horsemen, addressin
Old Long, make resistance or attempt rescue
the rest OF you."
The whole party, surrounded by the horse
men, then moved toward Long house.
''I cannot think" sald Aaron on the way
''for what am arrested except il be for tn
murder Of Col. Davenport, or for passing coun
terfeit money. OF the murder / am entIrel
innocent"
"You are arrested for the murder" said tn
leader Of the horsemen, who was no other tha
Joseph johnson, whom our readers have seel
was sent by Bonney on this mission, "an
there is considerable evidence against you.
On arriving at the house, thorough searc
was made. Among large quantity OF calico
linen, table-cloths and womens dresses, ther
was found in the bottom Of an old box, pal
of bloody psntaloons. Aaron said they wer
his, and that he had bloodied them them Will
he was butchering. The search having beel
made, Old Long and his men were releases
from their durance, while Johnson, Docto
Gregg, and their party left with their prisone,
Aaron Long. This arrest OF Aaron Long va
followed up in day or two, by that Of job
Baxter who was taken by the same parties
and leaving the prisoners and their captors o
their way to Rock Island, we win return I
that place to follow the movements Of Bonney
While Long in his prison retained his coul
age and hope, the spirit Of Birch broke dow
entirely under the pressure OF the gloomy Gil
cumstances by which he was surrounded N
hope OF escape from confinement opened bt
fore him, and the trial, which it now SCENE
inevitable he must meet, stared him in the fac
like some black spectre pointing out his d,
struction. Seizing, therefore, hold OF the lai
hope which rose before him in his despair,
sent word to Bonney that he was willing I
make q confession which might lead to the be-
ter prosecution of justice and to the recover
OF the buried money aud watch of Col. Daven
port, Bonney Immediately had Birch remove
to q room in the jailor's dwelling and there r,
ceived his confession. II related principally |
the murder and robbery of Col Davenport, th
particulars Of which we have already given. !
his confession, however, he avoided saying b
was present at the murder, and substituted Ii
name Of Brown in place OF his own. He sai
thatit was Join Long who shot Davenport, b,