New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-31

The complications surrounding the Poca.
hontas mine, situated at Rosita, not far
from Canon City, have finally resulted in a
fierce and fatal conflict, by which one life
killed was the notorious Major Graham,
who was we'll known in Denver as one of
the most dangerous of daring desperadoes.
The major was native of New York and
in the early part of the war became con-
spicuous as q partisan commander of the
Union forces in North Carolina. He was a
perfect athlete, a splendid horseman, an &C.
curate shot, and as daring and unscrupu-
lOus as any man who ever drew o sabre
For his services he was appointed, at the
close Of the war. .. first lieutenant in the
regular army, and assigned to duty in the
West. By the services he rendered against
the Indians aided by more or less political
influence, Lieutenant Graham became a
full blown major, and as such became a
special favorite at Fort Leaven orth and
in the city OF that name. While st this
post he paid his addresses to one of the
most attractive ladies of LeavenwOrth, and
it was only by an accident that the mar
riage was not cOnsummated.
The night previous to the day on which
the ceremony was to take place. the COM
handing officer at Fort Leayenworth re-
ceived direct instructions from the War De-
partment to place Major Graham in irons
further orders. Although the order created
an immense surprise at the fort, it was liter
ally Obeyed, and Major Graham found him
self in a telOn's cell instead of occupying,
as he had hoped, a bridal couch. A court
martial, however, subsequently explained
what seemed at the time TO be inexplicsble
The evidence before the court established
the honorable uniform of q United States
officer, had been the secret head of Q 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 herses
from the stables of the government. The
court martial sentenced the Major to be dis
honorably dismissed from the service, to be
debarred from ever holding any office of
honor or trust under the government, and
to serve q term of ten years in military
prison. Through some unknown influence
this sentence was Endorsed only so far as it
related to the dismissal of the major from
the service.
AS soon as he was in possession of Q quail
fled freedom, the major stint tor Denver;
and here became, as of yors, the associate
of evil and dangerous classes. His first at
tempt at public robbery was made on Pay
master Brooks at River Bend. For this Of
tense he was tried and sentenced to two
years in the penitentiary. Before his .rm
expired he organized an escape, which
proved partially successful. We say par
tial, because he and his associates made
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 a whisky den. 1t was probably here
that he arranged, with others, the Jump.
ing of tire Pocahontas mine. The '.jump-
ers" kept possession until day before yes
terday, when all the miners Of the neigh
borbOod resolved on clearing the mine of
its fraudulent possessors. How this W as
done the dispatches tell. The major was
caught on his way to Rosita. On being
halted he turned +, run, but fell dead in
his tracks pierced by some twenty five
balls. Graham's partner, man named
Boyd, was arrested shortly sfterward. AMI.
is likely hung before this Denver Tribune.