The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-08-02
Died in her Boots.
on THE ARKASsAs-oNEo OF THEM FOUND
TO BE A YOUNG WOMAN IN DISGUISE.

TWO HORSE THIEVES CAUGHT AND KILLED
ON THE ARKANsAs-oNE OF THEM FOUND
TO BE A YOUNG WOMAN IN DISGUISE.
A lonely spot on the Arkansas river, some
few miles from the vicinity Of Bates ranch
was the scene of the death of two horse
thieves few days ago The guilty parties
had been tracked for hundreds of miles by
posse, and had met their death bravely, pre-
ftrring the bullet to a surrender and subse-
auelt imprisonment. A Ners reporter was
fortunate enough to meet Attorney General
Samrsnu t,rdav afternoon, from whom
thy particulars OF the tragic death of the
parties were elected. The attorney general
was on hi. way home from desultory tour
through l.radyille and through Lake coun-
ty, and while jogging along i'll Il stage coach
en- route to Buena Vista, was startled with
,ne ini,rua ion that two horse thieves. had
been followed by posse from Garland and
had met their death in the manner mention
ci above.
The subsequent facts as related by Mr..
Sampson are about as follows: For several
week, pas, Ne gmh people of Costilla coun-
~ have been -orey tried and vexed by the
derr-da,iuns of horse thieves, who ran stock
| off tileil ranches aud managed to elude de-
lection and capture 10y heading for Lead
| vile and mingllng with the throng OF peo-
pie that are crow ding into that lively camp.
The last theft committed was one of three
horses aud two mules, and determined ef-
fort was made to follow the thieves up and
make an example of them. So a posse Of
men under the leadership of Deputy Sheriff
Dave Withrow, of Costilla county, was or
ganized and took the saddle in pursuit. They
struck the trail of the party, and learned
that the stolen animals were in possession Of
two men. Little time was taken for rest or
sleep, and the posse pushed on, gaining on
the thieves every hour. On the Southern
Arkansas the pursuers we're reinforced by
three more men, who had consented to en-
list in the pursuit. About twenty-six miles
below Bates ranch the thieves were sight
ed, and later in the day were overtaken.
They showed fight as the nearest of the pur-
suers approached, and the younger one OF
the two thieves unslung carbine and fired
at the posse, without striking any one.
Then the other turned loose with revolver,
and following the example of his comrado
took aim and discharged two charges from
his weapon. The other one in turn had sa.
luted the pursuing party with another shot,
but the posse thinking they were in for
sharp fight drew their weapons and returned
the shots. At the first fire the younger OF
the two thieves fell to the ground dead, hav
ing been pierced through the neck with {
ball from the rifle of one of the party. The
other thief was shot in the breast, and
throwing down the weapon with which hi
} had determined to sell his life began Il
groan and writhe from the pain of the
wound inflicted The officer and his mel
then drew near and found the younger on
. dead and the other one suffering from
wound that told his hours were numbered
o The wounded man was removed to the lol
store at Buena Vista, where he lived for si'
o hours. During intervals of tsemi- conscious
ness he was asked to tell his name and ths
n of his comrade, but stoutly and steadtastl
5 refused, and begged them to kill him an
put him out of his misery. After his deaf
: the two bodies were taken and laid side b
# side for burial. In examining the clothin
e of the two for something by which the
t could be identified, the posse was amazed
It find that the younger one was woman. 81
> was dressed in a rough, loose suit of maG
IS clothes, with heavy pair of raw hide boo
drawn up, and the pants tucked in the sp
ID cious boot legs. Her face in the cold pail
of of death showed complexion that had on
been light and rosy, eyes of a fair hazel c.
or, and hair that was light and showed
'r inclination to be wavy, cut short and CO
D.. cesled by the slouch hat that she wore. S
n was about twenty-five years of age, will
ce figure that, though small, gave evidence
ow having been robust and hardy. Her co
nd psnion WAS q man about thirty years of a
'er thick set, and inclined to be heavy, but ra
an ar prepOssessing. He was about five
on eight inches in height, with dark compl
aid ion, features that denoted determination {
the resolute eye. There was no inquest h
ca. over the bodies. The posse formed at G
MI land for pursuit was transformed into
) of rial corps, and the two bodies were bul
one side by side near the spot where they
ri met their death. The property was ia
charge of and fully identified as that st,
from Garland only few days previous
ada one seems to know who the ill.fated co,
i'm were.
,ed The resolution of the man to refuse to
'ee' part his name, or that of his companion
ice. rigidly adhered to until his death. The
o ty we're evidently making for Leady
h'e where the property was to have been
posed of. 1t is believed that the h,
captured belong to man named Hun
oser rey, at Canyon City The relation of
her two parties killed is only matter of
by mise. 1t is evident that the woman
to not his daughter, but may have been
I've vile The facts as given above were
uir- known to the authorities at Garland oil
here return of Deputy Sheriff Withrow an
men.-Denver NeOS