The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-11-24
A DESPERATE FELLOW.
The Career OF n United States Onicer--.Hi,
Final Death.

The Career OF n United States Omcer---His
Final Death.
The complications surrounding the
Pocahontas mine, Colorado, situated Mt
Rosita, not far from Canon City, have
finally resulted in fierce and fatal con-
flict, by which one life has been sacri-
feed, if not more. The man killed was
the notorious Major Graham, who was
we'll known in Denver as one of the
most dangerous of daring desperadoes.
The maj or was q native of New York,
and in the early part of the war became
conspicuous as partisan commander of
the Union forces in North Carolina. He
was perfect athlete, a splendid horse
man, an accurate shot, and as daring
and unscrupulous as any man who ever
drew a saber. For his services he was
appointed, at the close of the war, first
lieutenant in the regular army, and as
signed to duty in the West. By the SER
vices he rendered against the Indians,
aided by more or less political influence,
Lieut.. Graham soon became full blown
major, and as such became a special ia
vorite Mt Fort Leavenworth and in the
city of that name. While at this post he
paid his addresses to one of the most at
tractive ladies of Leavenworth, and it
was only by accident that the marriage
was not consummated.
The night previous to the day Jon
which the ceremony was to take place,
the commanding officer at Fort Leaven-
worth received direct instructions from
the wal department to place Major Gra-
ham in irons, and keep him in solitary
confinement till further orders. al
though the order created an immense
surprise ut the fort, it was literally obey
ed, and Major Graham found himself in
a felon's cell, instead of occupying, as
he had hoped, bridal couch. A court
martial, however, subsequently explain
ed what seemed at the time to be mex
plcable. The evidence before the court
established the fact that Major Graham,
while wearing the uniform of United
States officer, had been the secret head
of Il band of horse thieves in Kansas;
had also, while in Utah, been in league
with the lowest class of gamblers and
thieves; and that he had systematically
stolen and sold horses from the stables
of the government. The court martial
sentenced the major to be dishonorably
dismissed from the service, to be de-
barred from ever holding any Office of
honor or trust under the government,
and to serve term of ten years in mill
tary prison. Through some unknown
influence this sentence was indorsed
only SO far as it related to the dismissal
of the major from the service.
AS soon as he was in possession of
qualified freedom, the major started for
Denver, and here became, as of yore,
the associate of evil and dangerous
classes. His first attempt at public
robbery was made on Paymaster Brooks,
at River Bend. For this offense he was
tried and sentenced to two years in the
penitentiary. Before his term expired
he organized an escape, which proved
partially successful. We say partial,
because he and his associates make good
their escape, but they were all subse-
quently captured, one of them being
killed, and the major himself severely
wounded. He served out the rest Of
his term, and, when released, went to
Rosita, where he opened whisky den.
1t was here that he arranged, with
others, the jumping" of the Poca-
hontas mine. The Jumpers took
possession of the mine and held it until
all the miners in the neighborhood re-
solved on clearing the mine of its fraudu-
lent possessors. This was done by
desperate fight, the "jumpers that
were not killed being obliged to fly.
The major was caught on his way to
Rosita. On being halted, he turned to
run, but fell dead in his tracks, pierced
by some twenty-five balls. Graham's
partner, a man named Boyd, was
arrested shortly afterward, and was
hung