The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-07-25
DIED IN THEIR BOOTS.
Two Horse Thieves Caught and Kill
ed on The Arkansas.
One Of Them Found 10 be z Young
Woman in Disguise.
Belief That the Pair are KEoWn in
This City, and That They Were
Formerly Residents Here.
LFrOm saturday Morn,ng,s psllr.I

Below Is given an account, from the Den
ycr Nercs, Of the killing OF two horse thieves
on the South Arkansas river in Colorado,
one OF whom was discovered TO he a woman
in disguise. Il is believed that the pair is
well-known In this city, and that the man
vas formerly a gambler here, named Charley
Wilson, and that the woman was his mis-
trcss, passing sometimes aS his wife, under
the name OF Maggie HOyt, and who lived here
for some time past, previous 10 going 20 Color
ado. The NtsCs says:
A lonely spo, on the Arkansas river, some
few miles within tie vicinity OF Bales ranch,
was the scene of the death OF two horse
thieves a few days ago. Tine guilty parties
lad been tracked for hundreds OF miles by
posse, and had met their death brayely, pre-
f-rrins the ballet to surrender and subse-
quent Imprisonment. A N.3US reporter was
fortunate enough 10 meet Acknowledgement
Sampson yesterday afternoon, from whom
the particulars OF the tragic death Of the two
parties were ELECTED, The Atlorncy-Generai
was ON bis way home from a dcsultory tour
about Leadville and through Lake county,
and while jogging along In a stage coach en-
route TO Buena Vista, was startled with the
Information that
TWO HORSE THIEVES
had been followed by a posse from Garland
and had met their death In the manner men
TONED above. The subsequent facts, as relat-
ed by Mr.. Sampson, are about as follows !:
FOR several weeks past the good people
throughout Costilla county have been sorely
tried and vexed by the depredatIons Of horse
thieves, who ran stock off their ranches and
managed 10 elude detection and capture by
heading for Lcsdville and niingling with the
throng OF people that are c,owding into that
lively camp. The last theft committed was
one OF three horses and two mules, and
determined effort was made TO follow the
thleyeS up and make an example OF them.
POSSE OF MEN,
under the leadership OF Deputy Sheriff Dave
Withraw, OF Costiila county, was organized
ana took the saddle in pursuit. They struck
the trail OF the party, and learned that the
stolen animals were in the possession OF two
mon. Little time was taken for rest and
sleep, snd the posse pushed on, gaining on
the thieves every hour. On the south Ar
kansas the pursuers were.reinforce6 by three
the pursuit About twenty-six miles below
Bales ranch the thieves were sighted and
later In the day were overtak.n. They
showed hight ss the nearest OF the purpusrs
approached, and the younger one o. the two
thieves unsiung a carbine and fired at the
posse, without striking any one. Then the
other turned loose with revolver, and fol.
lowing the example OF his younger comrade,
took aim and discharged two Charges from
lis weapon The other one in turn had So
luted the purusing party with n second shot
but the posse thinking they were In for
sHAEP FIoHT,
drew their weapons and returned the shots
AZ the nrst fre the younger OF the two
thieves fell TO the ground dead, having been
pierced through the neck with n ball from
the rifle OF one OF the party The other fhief
was shot In the breast, aud throwing down
the weapon with which he had determined
10 sell his life, began To groSn and wrlihe
from the pain OF the wound inflicted. The
oiiicsr and his men then drew near and
found the younger one dead and the other
suffering from a wound that told that his
hours were numbered. The wounded man
was removed TO the log store AT Buena Vista
where he lived for six hours. During inter
walls OF semi-consciousness he was asked TO
tell his name and that of his comrade, bat
gff f.v rAFrn \
them 10 put him out OF his misery.
AFTER HIS DEATH
tho two bodies Were taken and laid side by
sidelor burial. In examining the clothiug OF
a the Two Tor something by which they could
bs Identified, the posse was amazed 10 ind
the younger one was a womsn. She was
dressed In a rough loose suit OF mems clothes
with heavy pair OF rawhide boots drawn up
and the pants tucked IN the spacious boot,
ings. Her face in the cold palior of death
showed complexion that had once been
light and rosy, eyes Of fair hazel color and
hair that was light and showed an inclin.-
tlon TO be wavy, cut short snd concealed by
the sloueh hat that she wore. She WAS about
twenty-five years OF age, with a figure that
though small, gave evidences of having been
robust and hardy. Her companion was a
man aoont m tnirty years OF age, thick set and
He was about five feet eight inches In height
with dark complexion,
FEATURES THAT DENOTED DETERMINATION
and a resolute eye. There was no inquest
reid over the bodies. The posse formed at
Garland for pursuit was transformed into a
burial corps, and the two bodies were buried
side by side near the spot where they had
met their death. The property was taken
change of and fully identified as that stolen
from Garland only few days previous. No
one seeIns 10 know who the ill-fated couple
were The resolution of the man TO refuse TO
lnpart ms name, or that of his companion.
was rfgidly adhered TO until his death. The
party were evidently making for Leadville,
where The properly was to have been disposed
of. Ii is believed that the horses captured
belonged 70 Ii man named Humphrey at Can
ON city The relation of the two parties kill
ed Is a matter only OF surmise. Ii IL evident
mat The woman was not his daughter, but
may have been his wife. The facts as given
above were made known to the authorities at
iariand on the return OF Deputy Sheriff
Wlthraw and his men.