The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-23
4 rnrDxurssos or JESSE Jnxxs
The Pursutt aud Murder of Mason. the
Fs.oss Desperate eT Long Ago.

Trem Hovpars kaVas'ne Deeevsoer. isSS.
One OF th6moet noted Temperatures Of early
times was man named Mason, He first estab-
lssi,ed himself at the Gave In Rock ooa u. 70,
above tho mouth OF the 0ho-whcre. under tho
guise OF Keeping u store for the accommodation
70 bis power Aitor numbering these victims
OF trohchery. he would. by tho hgnds OF his con =
Isderates send thei, boats to HcW Orleans an f3r
quarters. and established himself on tho great
trace" mnde through the Wilderness Of Mis-;
traders while returning. by land from New Or
leans 70 Their homes In tho West. Macon IN
40 9%S5 na w ar s and
murders that he was. dreaded from tho banks
OF the Mississippi 10 the high lands OF Tonnes
buzzar,ls were seen high IN air. crciing oyer
any particular spot, tue remark was made.
Numerous attempts were made to arrest
him, but he always managed to osoapo; A
from the vicinity OF Natciiez once organized
themseivos into tartY and went In pursuit OF
Hyes '' 70 oas bm b g, rsar
were In tho vicinity. Before attempting tp
make the proposed eciaire, it WAS determ ned
These fhings bnviis. been aocoinplished. two
the party ssducsd by the beauty and
battle. In tho course OF their recreation
they crossed to the opposite bunk. mud
found themselves ip tho hands Of Mason. The
outlaw. aware that no was pursued, determined
to effect by stratagem villa, bV did not deem
policy to effect by force. 1t was therefore tina,
he rushed down and sciaed the two PRISONERS.
Tho party on the opposite shore saw the ma
nnuvre and instantly seizod thor arms. Ma
son. who had u summarizing figure. Admiralty
sot on by u huRters dress presented u b0iJ
ae%ensfati"ns would a'r result af IN shc Instant
der,d his pursuers IL they desired to save tho
lives OF thar frienls TO obey him Implicitly
aTd at aneethat s"r fo the th time icing he w
and men. He then ordered tho party to stack
their arms and DEPOSIT their ammunition on
but that upon amy violence offered to his mes
senger or any visible hesitation to obey. he
hsy s
his honor thnt no would not take any advan-
tage oi his victory.
duly deposited rs d irceted. and two Of Maeon's
gang. out of number who had arrived. dashed
prisoners '' meanWhiie standing in full sight
with rifles pointing at their heads. The desired
property was finally placed in the outlaws pos
session wiier0upon he Released his prisoners
and waying o good-humored farewell. he dis
appeared in the deep shadows OF the surround
TrnschorY however. at last effected what
courage and enterprise could not accomplish: A
citizen Of great responsibility. passing with his
the bandits, The pubic WIS aroused. Gov. Ciat-
borne Of the Mississippi Territory offered Il
proclamation was widely distributed; u copy
reached Mason. and was 70 him u source OF
intense nferriment Two Of his band. however,
were determined to obtain the reward and
while they were engaged with Mason in count
Ing some money ono Of them drove n toma-
hawk into his brain. His head was severed
from tho body, and. placed in sack, borne In
triumph to Washington. then the seat Of the
Territorial Government.
The head Of tho robber WIS recognized by
many OF the citizens who saw 1t. Large crowds
from the surrounding country assembled 20
assure themselves that their enemy WAS really
dead. and curious to SEQ the individuals whose
daring prowess had .ieved the country OF u
scOUrxe. Among tho spectators were tho two
young men. who. unfortunately for tho hcro
thor father and thems elves. The wretches
were seized. tried for their crimes. and hung
And thus ended the last and most noted gang
Of robbers that infested the Natchez ana Nash