The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-04-05
A MISSOURI OUTLAW.
The Record of a Daring Western High
wayman-Sentenced to Twenty-three
Years imprisonment for Some of His
BOIdest Crimes.

Years imprisonment for Some of His
BOIdest Crimes.
From the Kansas City Times.
One by one the reckless rascals who
have hunted the borders of Kansas and
Missouri are being thinned out. With
the capture of the Younger party in
Minnesota, and the death Of their COM
rades in that desperate fight near Fari-
bault, this section of Western Missouri
has been spared the annoyance of the
presence of mysterious outlaws. Once,
and only once, has there been the least
Indication of the temperance of any
OF the outlaw gang in this section, and
that about three weeks ago, when Green
and Miller shot and killed Deputy Mar
shall Hughes. Yesterday closed the
trial of young George De Masters, who
was arrested last July, in the eastern
portion of Jackson County, on a charge
of highway robbery.
His operations were of the boldest
They would have won the admiration of
the bold Dick Turpin or Vasquez, the
California Road agent. He did not ap-
pear to fear capture or care for identi-
tication. He wore no mask, sought no
concealment under the shadow of night,
and rode no fast "Black Bess" to leap
over fences and hedges when closely
pressed by pursuers. He was, in fact,
a bold highwayman of the foolhardy
sort.
HOW HE OPERATED.
On Friday, July 81, three honest,
Woodworking farmers were on their
way to their homes east of Independ-
ence. De Masters came upon them
suddenly, and presenting his pistol
them to stand and deliver
to him all their money. He took only
IS from this unhappy and badly fright
ened trio, and then courteously babe
them to 60 home and rest in peace.
He disappeared in the woods, and ow-
ing to the small amount of money taken
no attempt was made for his capture.
On the following night Saturday he
made better haul. Meeting man
named Silas Gibson he relieved him of
about $40, and a colored man named
Polk Rose acceded to his demands and
gave him SIS. Having supplied him
self with cash he proceeded to the farm
of Edward Hallar, near Blue Springs,
in the Sni Hills, and selecting two
horse buggy from his stable, cut out
the tongue and supplied its place with
a pair of shafts. After harnesslng up
his horse with a fine set of harness be-
longing to Hallar, he drove away on
The old Harrisonville Road, no doubt
feeling as jolly as it is possible for a
reckless highwayman to feel.
CAPTURED IN CHURCH.
1t appeared that this eccentric young
nan was devoutly inclined and admired
emale loneliness. With view to pay
ng his devotion to Deity and beauty
1t one and the same time, he drove up
% the farmhouse of a well-to-do citi-
zen In Brooking Township and engaged
odging for the night. His polite de-
pertinent and interesting conversation
Won the confidence of the farmer, and
lis gay and dashing appearance won
he good graces of the farmers two
pretty daughters. The stranger had no
in inducing the girls to &C.
company him to church the next day,
where he appeared to pay earnest at
ention to the service and sermon.
While he was listening to the good
words which fell from the pulpit, divid-
ng his time between the parson and |
he two pretty girls at his side, the
hurch was surrounded by a posse of
itizens, and the gay and jolly high
Vayman called upon to come out and |
He apologized to the two |
Dung ladies for leaving them before
ne service was through, remarking,
Cuisines before pleasure, |
adies," and then drove off with his
aptors to independence.
DESPERATE DASH FOR LIBERTY.
independence, usually so quiet, was
nuch excited when it was announced
hat the mysterious horseman - had
cen captured and was about to be
rought a prisoner into the CITY. A
arge crowd gathered to meet the dar-
1g youth on his arrival. He made
o resistance to the posse of citizens
aving him in charge, and rode into
ne city with a careless, good-natured
mile upon his youthful and almost
andsome countenace. So cool and
areless was the youth in his general de-
ortment that no suspicion was excited
nat he might attempt to escape. But
hen he was brought before the grated
III the sight of its irons seemed to ex-
tie him, and in an instant he had leap
l from the buggy and, bursting away
ON the hold of his surprised captors,
arted OFT down the street, running the
auntlet OF volley of pistol shots sent
ter him to restrain him. He was final
run down by mounted men and foot
en-, and brought to Kansas City for
.fe-keeping.
CONSPIRES TO KILL HIS JAILER.