The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-03
The Spy's Story.
HOW THE TEXAS TRAIN ROBBERS WE'RE
BETRAYED.

The recent events IN the ordinarily OBJ
scure and serene country town of Round
Rock, in the shadows of the State capital,
fifteen miles distant, have produced a
profound sensation that has thrown the
late Democratic State Convention en-
tirely in the shade. The name of Sam
Bass, the dead robber chieftan, is on
every lip in Texas, and all other topics
have been for the last few days sunk in
the blank of romance in which the i'll
fated sun of this modern Robin Hood
has descended to its last and final rest.
The life of the daring robber chief, who,
for the last five months, has kept North
ern Texas in fever of excitement, has
already appeared in the leading papers.
1t remains to complete the story of his
capture and tragic death by recounting
that of the detective, James W. Murphy,
the man who betrayed Bass and his gang
into the hands of the State Rangers.
James W. Murphy, or Jim" Murphy,
as he was Familiarity called among his
companions, seems to have been resi-
cent of Denton County, where be was
acquainted not only with Sam Bass be-
fore he took to the life of brigand, but
also with Jackson, Underwood and other
desperadoes, who subsequently COM
posed his gang. "Old man Murphy"
Jim's father, resides in Denton, and dur
ing the spring both father and son were
indicted before the United States Court
at Tyler, charged with being accessory
TO the train robberies, and furnishing in
formation to Bass and his brigands.
"Jim" was incarcerated, failing to give a
$4,000 bond.
Upon the 10Th of May, Murphy, be-
coming tired of life in Texas prison,
sent for Major John B. Jones, command
ing the State Rangers, and proposed that,
if the charge against him were Cancelled,
he would go back to Denton County and
join the Bass gang in the character of
spy, with the object of giving the rob
bers away 10 the authorities at the first
fitting opportunity. The offer was &C
cepted. Deputy United States Marshal
Johnson and Lieutenant June Peak, of
the Rangers, were admitted to the secret.
The report was spread that Murphy had
escaped and Jumped his bond" This
was for the purpose OF preparing the way
for Murphy's reception among the rob
bers, and deluding them into the idea
that he was fugitive from justice,
character which he now boldly assumed.
He made overtures to the gang, saying
he had TO lie out in the bushes anyhow,
for fear Of the officers of the law, and
that he might as well adopt their pro-
fession and become one Of them, promis
ing 10 aid and assist them in all their
undertakings, however de sperste. They
were at first suspicious of their new re-
cruit. He, however, went along with
them. One of the party stole horse at
Denton, and the gang, passing within
short distance Of Dallas, rode down Elm
Greek, resting two days in the Collins
settlement. Here the robbers received
information that Murphy had joined them
for the sole purpose of betraying them
The gnng we're camped 10 the shadows
of tue lofty trees that waved above the
banks of the creek mentioned. For the
spy il was a moment Of extreme peril,
and but for his GOODNESS and the Efforts
of the robber Jsckson-who had been
raised up with him in the same neigh
borho d-al had been lost, and Murphy's
body left food for the ravens of the val
ley. To any man who knows bis life is
in the balance, subject t. feathers
weight, it is terrible moment. Bass,
the chief, and his brigsnds held a coun-
Gil under the trees. The scene, full Of
romance, might we'll have served as IA
excellent theme for the pencil Of art In
the midst of the bandits, who sat round
in obsequious silence, stood the tall,
we'll proportioned form of their chief,
wearing around his waist the usual six