San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-11-02
A FEMALE DESPERATE.
Mary SuiiIvah'. CrImss-Ths siory o. "'''''
Esrtucky Lyuehirg.
louisville commeFe''l.

lived on the DotpoAio VI
ter River two families destined 70
most terrible ends-the Cambelis'
Reilly. !. b., and Bud; and the Sulll'
vans. Tom and his sister Mary
They were considered neither better nor
worse that those about them. They
were ignorant and rather shitless,
but so were many others in the neigh
borhood. Soon, however, the country
people. round about began to say
strangs things of her, Mary Sullivan.
She was bright quick girl OF 20
with light hair, light blue syes, and a
little above the medium in size. NO
man for miles about could outfit her:
With gun or pistol she was dead
shot. On horseback there WASH a
bow in the country who could ride
faster over rougher country, or VINO
dared to commit half the daredevil
pranks that Mary constantly delighted
in. The effect of all this in a quiet
country neighborhood can hardly be
imagined. Mary Sullivan,s name be-
came the by-word for all that was
Infamous, and the staid country ma
irons lulled their babies to sheep with
stories of the horrible Mary and her
midnight rides and crimes. Then
rlmor turned TO other things. Mary
was seen often with the Campbell
bows, and once or twice she was seen
with them and her brother late at
night, dashing at her usual breakneck
speed over the country roads. About
this time the most daring robberes
began to lie committed in the northern
end of the county. Farmers found
their smoke houses open night after
night. Several stores were broken
into and robbed, and, strange to say,
no one knew who committed the
crimes. One old farmer began to talk
very freely, saying he recognized Mary
Sullivan at the head of the Campbells,
break into his smoke-house. A day
or so afterwards Mary galloped up to
his house, called him out and asked
him what he meant by saying what
he did. "Did you see me and the
Campbells at your smoke-house?
asked she, at the same time pulling
big navy revolver and showing it under
his nose. The old man stammered
out an apology, and was never after
ward heard to say word. against the
Campbells. Among the most bitter
denouncers of the gang was an old
man named Felkers, who lived few
miles away from them on the Trade
water One night, just three years
ago. two men, afterward discovered to
be Tom Sullivan and Reilly Campbell,
rode up to old man Felkers', took him
and his old wife out and beat them
severely. They then rode off. This
affair caused the most intense excite
ment. A mob was hurriedly organ
lied and some forty men rode over to
the Campbells. Mary Sullivan had in
some way heard that they were COM
ing several hours beforehand. She
and her brother Tom went over to
the little log hut of the Campbells
and ba1ricaded themselves. When
the mob came up they demanded the
instant surrender of the whole gang.
Mary yelled out tauntingly: Come
on and get us, you cowardly dogs"
Fine was opened by the mob, and the
Campbells and the Sullivans promptly
returned it. After little the besieged
made it so hot for the mob that it had
to retire. The only man hurt in the
melee was Tom Sullivan, who was
shot in the breast, but who soon re-
covered.
The gang became more bold after
this, and roOberies became more fire.
ouent. At this time an event hap
pened which was destined to cause the
entire destruction OF the band, Mary
Sullivan met Crockett Jenkins. The
meeting itself was romantic enough
to merit its being told. Mary was nd
ING along the Underwater one spring
dav two wears ago, when she saw
man on the other side preparing to
come over. Tie water was deep, the
little river hayin beens raised by fire.
auent rains, ali. she yelled over to
him not to attempt to cross there. he
either did not hear her OF paid no
attention, for he plunged his horse in.
The current was too strong for the
horse, and he soon threw his rider of
ami Tried to save himself. Then, with
his Aeavy winter clothes on, jenkins
would certainly have drowned but for
Mar dashing into the stream with
her morse and rescuing him at the peril
OF her life. She brought the man up
to heI brother Toms to let him dry
his clothes. A mutual admiration