Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-07-29
Story Of a Colorado Robber.

Leaper the Denver "Tribune'' tells this
story: 1t was getting late in the fall when
just at evening one day there came pale
looking man, riding fine mule, and halt
ed at LeaEer's cabin to inquire if he was
on the right road to Denver. He was in
formed that he was not, and that there
was no other house within twenty miles;
but if he would dismount he was welcome
to stay during the night, and in the morn
ing Leaper would take him across noun
tain and put him on the road. The trav-
eller accepted the invitation. unsaddled
his mule. picketed him by the roadside,
and entered the cabin. Injudiciously he
boosted that he had thousand dollars in
nuggets he had washed from the earth
that season, little thinking he was setJing
trap to lose his own life.
This was about the last chance of the
season for Leaper. A long winter would
soon.set in, and there would be nobody to
rob. Men seldom travelled the mountains
in the winter in those days, and it was
necessary that the robber should be pre-
pared to den up like the grizzly bear for
another spring. When morning came the
traveller saddled his mule, and Leaper his
horse, and they started across the noun
tain to find the road to Denver. After
travelling some distance, they dismounted
in gulch, when Leaper sliced his victim
by the throat, and demanded his money
and his pistol. He then ordered him back
in his saddle, and, taking a long lariat.
lashed his feet firmly beneath the mules
belly and his hands behind him. This
done, the fend pulled the bride from the
animals head and turned him loose, at
the same time put spurs to his own horse
and rode rapidly away.
The grass was fine in the mountains at
this time, and the mule paid more atten-
tion to this than he did to the prisoner up
on his back. Mild words unaccompanied
by rein or cudgel, had no influence on the
long eared hybrid. He ate and drank I'M
til filled, then lay down for the night. He,
however, lay upon his belly and knees, and
indicated by his position that he would do
the best he could for his unfortunate bed
fellow. When morning came the beast
arose and determined to leave for other
fields. Over rocks and through tangled
woods he went-often nearly tearing to
pieces his rider-until he halted at a rip
ping stream to take drink. At this mo-
ment the rider heard the sound of an axe.
He hallooed loudly for help. In moment
his call was answered, and man dressed
in red shirt and buckskin brooches came
in sight with an axe upon his shoulder. AS
he approached the mule became alarmed
at his appearance and started off on a brisk
trot. but not until the axe man had gotten
near enough to learn from the rider his sad
condition.
The woodman now laid down his axe
and started in pursuit. For hours he fol-
lowed the mule and its lone rider in vain.
At times he would almost lay his hands
upon the creature, when, peculiar to
mule, with snort he would bound away
with increased speed. Night was now fast
approaching, and darkness would end the
pursuit. The case was getting desperate.
The pursuer had pistol in his belt. He
availed himself of the best opportunity he
could get and sent bullet whlzzing
through the animals head. A moment
and the rider was released, but too much
exhausted to travel. A fire was kindled
and the two strangers who had met by
chance this unusual way camped for the
night among the rocks with the wolves all
around them.
In the morning they succeeded in reach
ing cabin few miles away After rest
ing few days and partly regaining the
use of his limbs, which were nearly paral-
yzed, the man of fate departed for Denver
Here he made kno wn the robbery, and de-
scribed the robber so infinitely that he was
easily traced as the most mysterious occu-
pant of the lone cabin at the foot of
"Warder's HILL" as it was called by the
pilgrims Of that day. Officers were sent
for him and he was captured after a DIES.
perate struggle and died in prison of his
wounds.