The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-08-16

preparing the way for Murphy's rccep-
ton among the robbers, and deluding
them into the idea that he was fugi-
tive from justice, character which he
now boldly assumed. ~ers
uE PLAyED WELL HIS PART.
He made oyertures TO the gang, say
ing he had to lie out In the bushes any
how, for fear Of the officers OF The law,
and that he might as well adopt their
profession and become one of them,
promising to aid and assist them in all
their undertakings, however desperate.
The gang were at first suspicious Of
their new recrait. He, however, went
along with them. One Of the party
stole horse at Denton, and the gang,
passing within short distance of DIAL
las, rode down Elm Greek, resting two
days in the Collins settlement. Here
the robbers received information that
Murphy had joined for the sole purpose
Of betraying them. The gang were
camped in the shadows of the lofty
trees that waved above the banks of the
creek mentioned. For the spy it was
moment of extreme peril, and but for
his GOODNESS and the efforts of the rob-
Der Jackson-whe had been raised up
with him in the same neighborhood-
all would have been lost and Murphy's
body left food for the ravens of the val
ley. To any man who knows his life is
in the balance, subject to feathers
weight,it Is terrible moment. Bass,
THE CHIEF, AND HIS BRIGANDs
held council under the trees. The
scene, full of romance, might well have
served as an excellent theme for the PEN
Gil of art. In the midst Of the bandits,
who sat around in obsequious silence,
stood the tall, well proportional form
of their chief, wearing around his waist
the usual six-shooter, and on his head
slouched and well worn hat. Heavy
spurs jingled on his boots, which were
worn over his trousers in military style,
and upon his handsome face and dark,
keen eyes there rested somewhat
gloomy expression, heightened and en-
HANGED by the deep shadows of the for
est. Each robber spoke his sentiments
when invited by the arch-brigand. 1t
was court that brooked no delay,
would grant no continuances, suffer no
appeals to judges with itching palms.
This the spy knew full we'll and earnest
ly and anxiously he scanned the omin-
Gus face OF the chief. The verdict was
quickly rendered,
MURPHY MUST DTEi
Briefly made, il was briefly communal
Gated to the condemned betrayer. For
him an eternity Of anxiety filled that
single moment. His jurors were even
beginning to prepare for his execution
Drops of sweat stood on his forehead
and his hand trembled as with the palsy.
jackson, the friend Of his youth, took
his part, and Murphy pleaded for his
life earnestly aud fuently. He confess
ed to Bass the whole transaction and
agreement with Maj. Jones, but now
solemnly declared his only and sole pur-
pose was to betray, not the robbers
themselves, but "give away Mai.
Jones and the officers Of the law, and
thus make his own escape from the tolls.
These protestations were made with 50
much apparent candor, tina. Sam. Bass
and the other robbers finally relented
and allowed Murphy to continue with
them; but they afterward kept strict
watch upon him.
THE GANG START FOR MEXICO.
Upon the 10th June the robbers left
their haunts in the friendly jungles and
dense forest Of Denton County. Their
course was due south towards Austin,
the intention Of their chief being TO rob
some bank or train, make raise, and
in Mexico take refuge from the Rangers
and detectives. They reached Rock
wall, where they staid one night. AT
Terrell they reconnoitered and exam
ined the banks, but concluded the Job
of robbing them would not pay. They
were pretty well mounted on fleet horses,
and kept the line of the Central Railway
to Ennis Station. Here Bass and MUIR
ply took dinner at hotel, and their
horses had provender at a livery stable. |
The chief, with practiced eyes, exam
ined the Bank Of Ennis, but concluded
il would be bad undertaking, and so
the bandits continued their progress
southwark. Reaching the stirring in
terror city Of Waco, on the Brazos,
terminus Of branch Of the Texas Cen
trail, the bandits went into camp in some
thick woods in the Brazos bottom,
or rather swamp, two miles east Of the
town. jackson and Murphy were sent
In TO spy out the banks. The former
reported favorably on the State Savings
Bank as an easy and rich prize. The
chief concluded to make The attempt.
however, for obvious reasons,
argued against the enterprise, holding
that the Mace was too nonulona thu |
banisters too high, and the distance to
run TO their horses too great. Bass,
therefore, abandoned the scheme. The
chief and Murphy returned to town, and
AT THE RANCH" SALOON
took drink, Bass changing the last $50