The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-12
"A Colorado Robber.

"A Colorado Robber.
Below the salt works, in the lower par
OF the South Park, Colorado, in 1862, ther
lived man named Leaper, who was tn
Isinaldo of his time. He robbed not en-
tirely for the gain but for the pleasure o
the thing. lie took delight in torturin,
his victims. For period he was the ter
ror Of the mountains. He had u cabin /,
a lonely gulch on the road leading to Cano,
City, about ten miles from the salt works
Here he cooked his meals, but spent th
most of his time concealed In the rock
above the road. Hc seldom disturbed tho
travellers going into the mountains, for the,
were generally broke, but upon those com
ing out he pounced like u hawk upon {
chicken. One day an old man and woma,
were driving down the mountain in buggy
anu from their appearance Lcaper thought
they had money In searching them he
found none, and was so mad that he pulled
tho brides off the old mans horses anC
started them running down the hill. For.
tunately they ran until tired out, and then
stopped themselves without iniuring any,
one. Many men passed him without being
robbed because they travelled in companies.
1t was the single wayfarer he watched for.
AT times he had confederates, but they
were never caught.
This man Leaper was very powerful y
built man, weighing upwards of 200
pounds, and stood six feet in his stockings
LIS countenancc looked more like 4 beasts
than humans. He had small, snake-likc
eyes set deep Ill his head beneath low
forehead, and thick black beard covered
his entire face. He had a grum, beastly
voice and maniac's laugh. He was q
man of few words-in fact, he seldom
spoke. He was silent villain, with his
mind upon his hellish business.
The summer of 'G2 had been prosper
ous one in California, Georgia and McNulty
gulches, and many a roughly dressed man
halling from them carried thousands of dol
lars worth Of dust in his pockets. They
usually travelled in pairs for protection.
II 30, Leaper let them alone, but woe to
the single pilgrlm-he was in the Jaws of
a tiger If he came by the cabin. 1t was
getting late in tile fall, when just at even
ing one day there came apale looking man,
riding fine mule, and halted at Leaper's
cabin to inquire If he was on the right road
TO Denver. lie was informed that he was
not, and that there was no other house
within twenty miles; but if he would dis
mount he was welcome TO stay during the
night, and IN the morning Leapcr would
take nm across mountain and put him
upon the road The traveller accepted the
invitation, unsaddled his mule, picketed
him ny the roadside, and entered the cabin.
The nights were getting cold, and good
fire felt comfortable after the sun had gone
down. Leapcr piled high the pine logs IN
O.,I
shonc out upon the hearth the traveller felt
SaSSst$ ;9$ BBs EnS{ LID ,Aoa n
the earth that season, little thinking he
was setting 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 nee
cssary the robber should be prepared to
den up like the grizzly bear for another
springs When morning came, the travr
eler saddled his mule, and Leapcr his horse,
and they started across the mountain to
find the road to Denver. After travelling
some distance, they dlsmounted IN gulch,
when Leaper seized his victim by the
threat and demanded his money aud his
pistol. He then ordered him back IN his
saddle, and, taking long lariat, lasE cd his
feet firmly beneath the mules belly and his
hands behind him. This done, the fiend
pulled the bride from the animals head
and turned him loose, at the same time
put spur to his own horse and rode rapidly
away.
The grass was fine in the mountains at
this time, and the mule paid more attention
TO this than he did to the prisoner upon his
back. Mild words unaccompantcd by
rein or cudgel, had no Influence on the long
cared hybrid. lie ate and drank until
filed, then lay down for the night. lie,
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 beust
arose and determined to leave for other
fields. Over rocks and through tangled
woods he went-often nearly tearing to
pieces his rldcr-until he halted at rip.
pllng stream to take drink. Az this mo-
| ncnt the rider heard the sound of an axe.
He hallooed loudly for help. In Il mo-
ment his call was answered and man
! dressed in red shirtand bucksltin. brecchcs
came in sight with an axe upon hisshoulder
As he approached the mule became
alarmed AZ his appearance and started off
on brisk trot, but not until the ax-man
had gotten near enough to learn from the
rider his sad condition.
| The woodman laid down his axe and
started IN pursuit. For hours he followed
the mule and its lone rider in vain. At
times he would almost lay his hand upon
tho creature, when, peculiar to a mule,
with snort he would bound away with
increased speed. Night was now fast ap-
preaching, and darkness weuld end the
pursuit. The case was getting desperate.
The pursuer had pistol in his belt. lie
avaiicd himself Of the best opportunity he
could get andscnt bullet whizzing through
the animals head. A moment and thu
rider was released, but too mach exhausted
to travel. a fire was kindled, and the twt
strangers who had met by chance this un