Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-11-04
The Arizona Cow Rows.

ASoAio'PopueuJS on The IA
cifio Slope are now employing their pens
; in describing the pranks of the cow boys
who operate in Arizona. These Iayless
persons were made the subject Of a
proclamation issued in June last, warn
ing them to dispense, and Threatening
I the Intervention of the military to pre-
} serve law and order. One notorious
leader OF gang of COW boys named
Curly Bill located himself at the end
of the San Simon Valley, and built
collection of huts, claiming to be cattle
men. They called it California City,
and at mes terrorized the honest por-
ton of the population. II was a common
thing for eight or ten of these cut.
Threats to ride into California City, enter
u saloon, present pistol to the barkeep.
er's head, and demand that the LIQUORS
be set out. As the fiery element warmed
them up they would often secure violin
or banjo, and improvise q regular 'stag
Dance" Each fellow would select
partner from among the crowd, the
musician would start up the "Arkansas
Traveller" or some other familiar tune,
and the Leader would call out, "Forward
four" and the dance commenced. When
the figure, Balance to your partners"
was reached, many fellow would "cut
the pigeon-wing," and his partner, not
to be outdone, would indulge in some
fantastic steps, which would do credit to
the most famed clog dancer of the min.
strel boards. In the height of this rev.
elry would begin fusilage from revol- |
vers. Bang bang bang and above
the din the leader would be calling out.
Turn your partners; promenade ALL"
The first figure being finished, every
fellow would begin to look at the heels
OF his boot, to see where the bullets
vent The result would disclose that a
large majority had been hit about the
heel with bullet. This practice of
shooting at the heels of ones boots is
common among the COW boys, and so
accurate are they in their aim that an
accident seldom occurs. Shooting the
heels off one another's boots is common
recreation with them.
On the occasion of one of these
''stag dances" cowboy who had re
GENTLY joined the gang participated in
the fusilade. On an examination at the
close OF the first figure one of the mem.
bers was found to be shot through the
foot. The festivities were su ldenly
stopped. The leader announced that
an investigation would at once begin to
ascertain the guilty party. A mock
court was convened. "Curly Bill" was
selected for judge. One was made
sheriff. Tom Harper was chosen clerk
The sheriff arrested the new member as
the guilty party. A prosecuting attor-
ney was chosen and the court assigned
counsel to defend the prisoner. The
fellow acting as prosecuting ATTORNEY
read an indictment charging Joe Palmer
with felony in attempting to shoot tie
boot heel off of Abe Sanders. The {
prisoner plead not guilty, but after wit
nesses were examined the jury returned
a verdict of guilty, and the Judge SEN
fenced the accused for execution at
sunrise. Palmer was shot at the ap
pointed time T
The true inwardness of the killing of a
Palmer transpired afterwards to be this 81
He had but short time joined the gang, a
and they became convinced that he was l.
"stool pigeon;" or, in other words. an e e
nformer. So they determined to kill "
him. The method above related was i.
selected for their amusement. The few
respectable and law abiding people in Z
he section where this ccurred dared q
not open their mouths or resist the i.
lesperado. So terrorized was the
country. that to have done SO would p
lave been certain death, coupled with
he stealing or destruction of whatever or
property they might possess. The ire. =
luent stage robberies, murders and
ncendiary fires prevalent in the terri
DRY one year ago had their origin and
we're successfully carried out, through
he completely of some of the officers of
he law with "Ourly Bills" gang. To
prevent the ventilation of the conspiracy
everal men were asssssipated.
A Good Story.
1t is related that bear and it's leader
atalY arrived tnwarda ninht az a ,r;lln