The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-11-02


rangers came upon the Hen at Gains just
as they were penning the cattle for the
night, and when :hey rushed upon them
Stewart and several others Attempted es-
art, who then surrendered. He and ThoIsp-
son had on no aims at the time of their
arrest, otherwise there would most likely
have been some blood spilled. The rangers
expected TO find George GLADDEN. and Frank
Eaox, two notorious desperadocs, in the
party, but did not. Gladden. had belonged
to the Scott Cooley, Mason county gang Of
desperadoes. They were also IN hopes to
arrest one Neal Cain, and though they got
sight of him he made his escape. Capt
Sparks took charge OF both droves of the
cattle, and they were brought in yester-
day. Both prisoners were brought to the
city and lodged in Jail about one O'Clock
Thursday night, and Friday morning
Thompson was taken out under writ of
haJeas corpus and brought before Judge
Smith by Messrs. Ward and Pendexter.
After brief examination of the case, Judge
Smith discharged the prisoner on the
ground that no complaint had been lodged
against him. Thompson was then arrested
by a local officer on a warrant charging him
with theft of cattle, and he was brought
before Judge Tegener for the examination
of the charge, Before the haJeGS corpus
case was taken up, the reporter of the
STATESMAN called at Judge Smiths office
and asked for an interview with the pris-
oner, which was granted, and we were in
PRODUCED to him by his brother, Mr.
Ben Thompson. The prisoner converted
freely and seemed to have a social turn Of
bears a resemblance, save that he is trifie
taller and his complexion is Drowned by
the sun, which gives him hardy, pioneer
appearance. In reply to our question as to
whether he felt any concern over his arrest
he said no; that he was not charged
with any violation of the law, and
had no fear of the result of the eX-
animation. he stated that he had no
connection with the men who were
suspected of driving stolen cattle out of the
country. He had, he said, been stopping
at Neal Gains for some weeks past, but
that he had nothing to do with his cattle
drives. We then asked him if he was
aware that dispatches had been sent to the
State authorities of Kansas, asking if re-
ward had been offered by that State for his
arrest, and he replied that he was, but he
seemed to attach little importance to the
matter. He said that he was sitting on the
fence at old man Gains when the rangers
dashed in to arrest the parties in charge
of the cattle, Neal Cain and others,
and that he made no effort at
resistance or escape because he did not feel
that he was one of the men wanted. Quite
a number of Thompson's friends were pres
ent at the examinations, and many citizens
were also present through curiosity.
Thompson was also discharged in Judge
Tegener's court on the charge Of theft of
cattle, but when he reached the bottom O.
the steps he was re-arrested by the rangers
on telegraphic dispatch received from the
sheriff of Ellsworth, Kansas, saying that
reouisition would be sent for him. He was
then taken to the Jail, but the sheriff de-
clined to receive him on the authority of
telegraphic dispatch and he was allowed
his liberty by the ranger in charge, and
Thompson made rapid steps over the
hill cast from the Jail. After he had
been gone q short time the sergeant of the
ranger company gave pursuit on horseback
and soon overlook him, and just as he was
in the act of mounting horse which some
one had brought him. Thompson was then
taken to the Adjutant Generals Office and
there kept under guard while Capt. Sparks
had an interview with the Governor. After
this the Captain swore out warrant and
placed it in the hands of the sheriff, who
took charge of Thompson and locked him
up for the night.
On Tuesday Mr.. Thompson was taken
before the district court on bench warrant,
but before the court was ready to enter up
on an investigation cdpiaS was served up
on him from Arkansas county, charging him
with murder, and he was then sent back to
Jail.