Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-08-15
THREE HIGHwAYAIEN.
How They were Whipped out by a
PIuekY ERanehmrR-A story OF Cali
fOrniR Life.


We are allowed to publish the following
interesting narrative from private letter
written by J. L. Smith who is now in Cali
fornia, to his father here:
A General Boutou, who secured his title
during our late war, lives in Les Angeles.
He and his partner, Mr.. Collins, own q
large ranch some 10 or 12 miles from sta
tiOn % miles east of here toward Yuma.
/ became acquainted with both gentlemen
some time ago. The General has lost quite
a small fortune through his ranch. He
was wanting to know of me some time ago
il | knew where he could secure $40, 900 at
10 per cent. He passed through here Sun
day evening on his way over to his proper
", We came across the Plaza together,
he being on his way over to take supper.
He left the statiOn-l can't recall the name
with his partner, Mr.. Collins, who was
there TO meet him with team and car
rage, about $50 p. m, bound for the
ranch. After travelling some miles, and
while going through where the bushes
grew up on either side, close to the road,
three masked men-one with q shot gun
and the other two carrying reYOlverS-
topped out and stopped them, demanding
their arms. The only reply they re-
ceived was ''We haven't any," Whereas
each had revolvers unbeknoWn to the 9TH
er. They were then ordered to get out.
After they had done so the men proceeded
to fasten their hands together, behind
them, with small chains that they had pro-
YIded themselves with, as we'll rs q pair of
shoemsker's pliers to close the links with
after putting the chains around the wrists.
The Williams next move was to fssten the
ends Of six foot chains around their necks.
During the meantime one of tie three had
taken the horses from the vehicle and lead
them short distance and hitched them to
the bushes. The next order of exercises
was to fasten Collins to wagon wheel.
While they were doing this the General
managed to part the piece Of chain holding
his hands together. What did they do
next but lead him into the brush, Indian
hle-number one having hold of the tie
they had placed around his neck, number
two following with the Gen. They had
taken delightful stroll OF 70 or 100 feet
when number two discovered thai the Cen
eral had his revolver nearly out Of his hip
pocket. He was doing this quietly, they
not knowing that his hands were free.
The party in the rear shouted, haiti The
U6neThl Hu6clcuJ uIcuy Iue FhSCdl lells uc
turned and slot the one in front-he
dropped. SupPosing they we're killed he
went back to where man number was
guarding his partner mot to make the story
too long I'll be brieD and tumbled him into
the brush. Then they hitched up and hur-
ried on to the ranch. In the morning re-
turning to the scene with help they found
that the one who was shot second had
mounted his horse and rOds about half
mile where they discovered him dead,
The other two managed to get away but
will likely get caught, il they haven't been
already, as they are known. The remains
Of the one they found came in on the morn
ing train to-day. The Gen. recognized his
voice when be and his partner were stopped
and Collins knew the others. There was
an old business feud existing between them
ell around, and there is little doubt but
that BOuton and Collins saved their lives
by the former getting the ''drop" on them
as stated. The Coroner dismissed them al
ter hearing the circumstances. While
mother and I were in our rooms about 8
this p. N. the General came up stairs
having come up overland. invited him
in-he remained for nearly an hour, during
which time he related the circumstances as
have given them to you, in rather Of
hurried way. is.
July 20, 1879.