The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-09-27
Small and Bunker.

There has been consid.rab said in the
papers recently about the arrest of one
Small in Des Moines, for completely in
the murder IS years ago of two men by
the name of Bunker, and his subsequent
escape. The lama Herald, we think
rather ungenerously seeks to make a
point against Sheriff Austin for Small's
escape. The facts of the case are. that
MIR. Murray was not responsible for Small {
escape Is years ago, neither is Mr.. Austin
: responsible for the recent escape. Depu.
-'ty Sheriff w. E. Appellate informs us
that what blame may attach to any one
for Smalps escape should rest entirely up
on him and the police of Des Moines. He
also tells us that the story about him and
Small stopping in saloon is totally false
"A lie made out of the whole cloth. We
copy the following from the Register, and
give it for what it is worth 1t will doubt
less interest our readers though we are
Informed thatnhe facts are not just as set
forth:
Eighteen years ago Mr. Small had three
valuable colts stolen from the Prairie Just
east of the city which, by the way wasn't
much of a city at that time. He was not
the only sufferer from horse thieves, for
in that day there was chain of their
craft extending from the northern line of
Minnesota to Arkansas on the SOUTH
No stock in three states were safe from
their depredations. Des Moines and vi.
cinity had been especially plundcred,
thousands of dollars worth of horses and
cattle having been spirited away. Among
the most noticed desperadoes were the
members OF family named Bunker.
Their headquarters were in Hardin coun-
ty where the mother and three of her sons
were residing, but two of the boys owned
a small property just east of Des Moines
near the Prairie Queen" When Mr..
Small missed his colts he procured the
assistance of Constable Seaman, of east
Des Moines, and started on the trail,
which they followed to the residence Of
the Bunkers, in Hardin County, where
they found the stock. Advancing to the
house, the pursuers were. met by the
mother of the Bunkers who barred their
way, AK in hand. AT length, and without
violence, an entrance was effected and
one of the boys arrested. Securing him
they kept guard until daylight when
another Bunker came in sight, and after |
a long chase, he, too, was captured The
colts were battered and the party started
for Des Monies. Before they left Tama
County they were joined by man named
'Clingaman and the three proposed to
hang one of their prisoners until he should
reveal the names Of his partners in crime
They had succceded so far as 10 suspend I
him in mid air-without however, inten-
ding to continue the process until he was.
dead-when the other Bunker sprang
away and started for freedom at rushing
gait. Clingaman and Seaman started in
pursuit, leaving Small to take care of the
aerial Bunker. Small became 80 much in
terestcd in watching the pursuit and fight
that he forgot to lower the body, and by
the time ClingMnen and Seaman returned
with the recapttred brother, the first was
as dead as smeft As matter Of pre-
caution, and to prevent his telling tales
out Of school, the other Bunker was sub
mitted to the same strangularly process,
and with the same resu!t. Both bodies
were left suspended on the Tama County
tree, and the executi0ncrs came to Des