The Van Buren press., 1875-12-07
The Bold Horsetheiyes I!
Sheriff Winfrey and Deputies Pursue and
XIII the notorious George Tayler.
Ben. Taylor Escapes but is probably
wounded
A GOOD WEEKS WORK!

About one month ago, Ben. TAYLOR, togcth-
er with the other prisoners In iail, at this
place. broke out, and made their escape Tay-
lor was committed, last summer, charged
with horse-stealing. Nothing had been heard
rom MN since his escape, until Saturday, the
2th ult, when he, and his brother, George
Taylor, suddenly rode into Van Buren, tarricd
while at" Lickskillet," in the suburbs. and
passed on up toward Logtown. The Monday
following, they rode up to the house of Mr.
Jim. Dick. three miles north of Alma, called
him out. and opened fire on him. Mr.. Dick.
who was not more than fifteen PAGES from
them when they commenced shooting, fortu-
nately made his escape, and was not hit On
learning they had passed down the Ozark
road, Sheriff Winfrey. with a posse of two
Mr.. Jim Dick, and Richard Miller--started In
pursuit, last Tuesday. Warrants were out
for the apprehension Of George Taylor, being
oy lar tie boldest horse-thief we ever had in
our county. During the summer months he
made his headquarters In the canebrake. ten
miles below here. In the Arkansas river bot
toni Several attempts We're made to take
hlm, but each time he succeeded in eluding
the officers and getting away. He became
bold and defiant. and threatened several times
to come into Van Burcn with his crowd. and
release his brother Ben. from Jail. He became
terror In the neighborhood of his headquar-
ters. No operson felt that his horse was safe
in the range. Following in their track, Sher-
if Winfrey and his posse overlook them four
miles east of Ozark, in Franklin county, on
the C'arksvile road, at o'clock, Wednesday
morning. Their horses were first discovered
tied in a yard, on the roadside; and learning
from the folks there that the Taylors had
gone short distance over to a neighboring
house, Mr. Dick was left to guard the horses
and the Sheriff and Mr.. Miller started oyer
to the house. On arriving there, they learn
ed that the Tayiors had just left. They star
ted, then, to retrace their steps.
After going short distance. they concluded
to secrete themelsves, and wait awhile, think.
ing they might pass along that road, in order
to get to their horses. In few minutes they
were heard coming. When within thirty pa
ces, Sheriff Winfrey came out and demanded
their surrender. Immediately the Taylors
drew their revolvers, holding one in each hand
and commenced firing AS rapidly as they
could. The Sheriff and Mr.. Miller returned
the fire. The first round shot pnt George
Taylor horse aa combat. Ben. continued the
fight with the most reckless daring and cour-
age. After emptying every barrel of his re-
yolver, he stepped back and got those of his
brother and continued to shoot until they
were all discharged Finally he was hit,
somewhere about the breast. turned and ran
into the woods. and has not been heard of
sinee up TO this writing. George was found
drawing his last breath, after the firing ccas-
ed, aud very soon expired.
Several times after he had been shot down.
he attempted to discharge his revolver.
ShefiA N'nffey says he cannot see how he
aud Mr. Miller escaped. He thinks had his
revolver NOT got out Of order and Millers
gun missed fire. they would have killed or
captured Ben. The Taylors horses were Sc
cured, and brought by the Sheriff to this
place. Wednesday night Th'y arc stili in
pursuit oi Ecn Taylor and may ere this be
taken