The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-08-08
THE SPY'S STORY.

How the Texas Train Robbers were Be
trayed-The Thrilling Experiences Of
Murphy, the Deteetive-rhe Last Words
or Sam Bass, the Bandit.
Especial Correspondence of the Globe Dem
ocrat.
ROUND Rock, TEXAS, July 25.-The
recent events in this ordinarily obscure
and serene country town, in the shadows
of the State capital, Is miles distant,
have produced profound impression
and sensation that has thrown the late
Democratic State Convention entirely in
the shade. The name of Sam Bass, the
dead robber chieftain, is on every lip in
Texas, and all other topics have been
for the last few days sunk in the blaze
of romance in which the Inflated sun of
this modern Robin Hood has descended
10 its last and final rest. The life of
the daring robber chief, who, for the
last five months, has kept Northern
Texas in a fever of excitement, has al
ready appeared in theleading papers
1t remains TO complete the story of his
capture and tragic death by recounting
that of the detective, James w. Muir
ply, the man who betrayed Bass and
his gang into the hands of the State
Rangers.
MURPHY's ANTECEDENTs.
James w. Murphy. or slim" Muir
ply, as ne was Familiarity called among
his companions, seems to have been a
resident of Denton County, where he
was well acquainted not only with Sam
Bass before he took TO the life of brig
and, but also with jackson, Under
wood, and other desperadoes, who sub
sequently composed his gang. "Old
man Murphy" Jim's father, resides in
Denton, and during the spring both ia
Their and son were indicted before the
United States Court at Tyler, charged
with being accessory to the train rob-
bers, and diminishing information to Bass
and his brigands. 'sJim" was incar-
cerated, failing to give $4,000 bond.
MURPHY PROPOSES TO ACT THE SPY.
Upon the 10Th of May, Murphy, be-
coming tired of life in Texas prison,
sent for Maj. John b. Jones, command
ing the State Rangers, and proposed
that, if the charge against him was can
celed, he would 90 back to Denton
County and join the Bass gang in the
character of spy, with the object of Civ
ing the robbers away to the authorities
at the first fitting opportunity. The of
fer was accepted. Deputy United States
Marshal johnson and Lieut.. June Peak,
ofthe Rangers, were admitted to the Sc
cret. The report was spread that Muir
ply had escaped and dumped his
bond" This was for the purpose, of
preparing the way for Murphy's recep-
ton among the robbers, and deluding
them into the idea that he was fugi-
tive from justice, character which he
now boldly assumed.
HE PLAYED WELL MS PART.
He made overtures to the gang, say
ing he had to lie out in the bushes anv-
how, for fear of the officers of She law,
and that he might as well adopt their
profession and become oneeof them,
promising to aid and assist them. in all
their undertakings, however desperate
The gang were at first suspicious of
their new recruit. He, however, went
along with them. One of the party
stole horse at Denton, and the gang,
passing within a short distance of Dali
las, rode down Elm Greek, resting two
GAYS III lnt OOillHS Scll4caucDO. herS
the robbers received information that
Murphy had joined for the sole purpose
of betrsying 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 a
moment of extreme peril, and but for
his GOODNESS and the efforts of the rob-
Der Jacksonville had been raised up
with him in the same neighborhood-
all would have been lost and Murphy s
body left feed 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