The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-23
THE SIIERlFF'S DISCOVERY.
TWO HORsE THIETES UHOM ms PUR-
SUMO P.IRTY kILLED


Mas OF rona, jet Rlnck Hair Rolling
from over the Shoulders of One An Invrs.
uE"tion Follnwing-The Surprising RcsuIt.
PUEBLO, Col, July IL For the last two
months the residents OF Costello and Conclos
count 8. Colorado, have 10 robbed OF their
horses and mules in mysterious manner, and.
despite tho vigilance OF the ShcrfTs and their
deputies. no clue to the thieves could be got
up to last Wednesday. Shortly after dark tho
barn and stables OF James Humphrey, near San
LUIS wcro entered, and three horses and two
mules stolen. Mr. Humphrey informed Deputy
Sheriff Dave Wlthrow Of his loss and posse
was organized to hunt down tho dcspcradoes
1t WIS surmiscd that the thieves would 60 to
Leadvillc, n rapidly settling mining camp in tho
san Juan country. about forty miles from Buo-
ma Vista. The road is built through craggy
pass Of tho Incompetence and San Juan noun
tains. and until the discovery OF tho big find "
in the San Juan country was not trod by human
foot. or tho hoof Of muo or horse. The men
provided themselves with blankets. wero armed
TO the teeth, and. feeling assured that tho thieves
would fight desperat 'ly for their liberty, laid in
stock OF cartridges for their curbincs
The pursuers struck tho track of tho thieves
about six miles from Buena Vista by learning
from ranchman that tho stolen animals were
in possession OF two men mounted on dark
BrOncho ponies. Sheriff Withrow declared that
none Of his men would be allowed to rest or
sleep until he came up with the thieves. and the
horses were galloped on until they painted with
exhaustion. For twenty-six miles the chase
was Kept up, and not Il morsel had horse or
rider to eat.
Late in the afternoon two mon were observed
in the distance. trOttng at leisure along the
mountain trail They were not a milo distant.
and the three stolen horses and mules were
seen in the rear. Notwithstanding the horses
nf Ftrlrs Al.
road from fatigue they were urged on TO full
Etti0p; and sr IN lew MINUTES had nearly oyer.
only safety lay In fighting and the Younger Of
The two turned around. and, taking deliberate
aim at the Deputy sheriff. who was i'm advance
nred Tho aim was bad and MS the smoke from
the cnrbino died away the deputy saw that the
thief was preparing for second charge Rush
ing on with his revolver cooked he ordered his
men to fire. At the same instant the elder thief
with the suprlcnesa " an Indian lcnped from
hl s horse. and making Il protection from the
fonts Of his revolver toward the posse The
younger companion also DISCHARGED his wea-
fired one ~ the rifles Of tho pursuers sent
q bullet into the neck Of the young ban-
mass OF long. jet black hair, stained with blood,
rolled from over his shoulders. Tho elder thief
stood as though overcome for n moment, and
situation. stole around and, taking deliberate
aim, shot him in the chest Keeling forward he
fell To the ground. The horses. now without
control and frightened by the volieys OF shot.
pranccd OF and left their riders exposed Tho
pursucrs looked on the scene not without some
regret that they had been compelled To shed
blood Tor tho sake Of the recovery OF the AMI
mails; They found the younger thief dead
and his companion slowly dying. He was told
that he had not long 20 live, and was urged TO
tell who he WIS and the name OF his conipan-
ion. lie refused in an angry and stubborn
tone, and begged some one TO shoot him in tho
head To put him ont Of his misery. He died in
haif an hour In great agony.
After his death the bodies were searched FOR
some evidence as 10 their names or home and
II was discovered that the younger bandit was a
woman. nppare nty about % years Of age. She
was clad III n loOs" brown Overcont. canvas
JUckct with brass buttons. heavy rough gray
coorcd trousers. tucked into "A well-wOrn pair
% cowlide boots. At hor side lay n SLOUGH hat
81 the Mex lean sombrcr0 pattern. Her face In
IL rigid paleness showed some signs Of beauty.
The features were regular. the lips small and
poutng. aud the eyes dark hazel. Her figure
was petite aud cOinely. and bore signs Of u
hardy nature
Her companion was about 49, of compact and
why frame. and not by any means unDrepOs-
sesslng. His square chin and upper lin were
covered with short stubble Of beard Of a few
days growth He was about five feet eight
inches in height and like his companion was
roughly clad in weather beaten suit of gray
The horses and mules stolen were cautured
ana taken back TO Buena is;a by two III Tho
pursur r. thence "a san Luis. A description
~ tho thieves was sent To all the ncighlsJring
luWnr ana mining camps by tho deputy sheriff
but no person has yet boon found who can tell
who they arr. When killed they were on their
WAY To l.eadNte, whore they could easily have
disposed Of the animals and departed ere any
oIlleer oi the law could have apprehended them.