The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-03

well-worn hat Heavy spurs jingled on
his boots, which were worn over his
trowsers in military style, and upon his
handsome face and dark, keen eyes there
rested somewhat gloomy expression,
heightened and enchanted by the deep
shadows of the forest. Each robber
spoke his sentiments when invited 10y the
arch brigand. 1t was court that
brooked no delay, would grant no con-
tinuanccs, suffer no appeals t. judges
full well, and earnestly and anxiously he
scanned the ominous face of the chief.
The verdict was quickly rendered.
Briefly made, it was briefly cOmmuni
Gated to the condemned betraycr. For
him an eternity of anxiety filled that sim
gle moment. His jurors were even be-
ginning to prepare for his execution.
| Drops of sweat stood on his forehead
and his hand trembed as with the palsy.
Jackson, the friend of his youth, took his
part, and Murphy pleaded for his life,
earnestly and tiuen,ly. He confessed to
Bass the whole transaction and agreement
with Maj or Jones, but now solemny de-
! clared his only and sole purpose was to
betray not the robbers themselves, but to
give away" Major Jones and the officers
of the law, and thus make his own es-
cape from the tolls. These protestatiors
were made with SO much apparent can
dor that Sam Bass and the other robbers
finally releuted and allowed Murphy to
contisue with them, but they afterward
kept strict watch upon him.
Upon the 10Th of June the robbers left
their haunts in the friendly jungle and
dense forest of Denton County. Their
course was due south toward Austin, the
intention of their chief being to rob some
bank or train, make raise, and in Mex
leo take refuge from the Rangers and de-
tectives. They reached Rockwell, where
they stayed one night. At Terrell they
reconnoitered and examined 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 Murphy took
dinner at hotel and their horses had
provender at livery stable. The chief,
with practiced eyes examined the Bank
of Ennis, but concluded it wonld be n
bad undertaking, aud 50 the bandits con-
tinued their progress southwark. Reach
ing the stirring interior city of Waco,
on the Brazos. terminus of u branch of
the Texas Central. The bandits went
into camp in some thick woods in the
BraZDs 'bottom," or rather swamp, two
miles east of the town. Jackson and
Murphy were sent in 10 spy out the banks.
The former reported tavorably on the
State Savings Bank as an easy and rich
prize. The chief concluded to make the
attempt. Murphy, however, for obvious
reasons, argued against the enterprise,
holding that the place was too populous,
the bansters 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 a drink, Bass
changing the last $50 gold piece he had
remaining of the great 100000 train
robbery in Nebraska, on the Union
Pacific.
The same night Barnes, one of the rob-
bers, went into the edge of Waco and
stole horse. Continuing the journey
south ward, the gang struck the small
town of Benton, Central Texas. Here
Murphy sold Barnes old mare, and on
pretense of getting So bill changed,
eluded the robbers long enough to indite
a hasty letter to Sheriff Everheart, who
had, by Major Jones, been let into Muir
phys secret. At Georgetown, William
son County, not far from the village that
a few days later was the scene of their
chiefs death-shot, the robbers made
short soi)urn, but were advised by Muir
ply against attempt to rob the bank be-
cause the safe was too far in rear of the
building. At Georgetown the spy man
aged to write to Major Jones to have his
men at Round Rock ready tor the recep
ton of the gang. His chief caught him
in the act Of mailing the letter, and de-
mandei an explanation. The spy, how
ever, got out Of it by hard ahd down.
right lying. Keeping the road to Austin,
/ the bandits camped two miles from
Round Rock, on the International and
Great Northern Railway. After recon-
noitering, ii was determined to rob the
, bank in the town after resting the horses.
/ Preparations we're made for tue descent
on the money bags. Bass was to go in,
aud Barnes hand bill to the cashier to
change. While doing so, tho chief was
to present six shooter to his head, and
order him to throw up his hands. Barnes
was then to jump over the counter, enter
the safe and ill up his bag with money,
while Jackson and Murphy were to stand
in the doors and prevent persons from
coming ia during the process.
In the meantime, and whilst the State
authorities were kept Informed by Muir
ply, the latter pretended his horse was
broken down, and had to be rested, his
object being to stave off the descent on