Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-10-19
SLADE, THE OUTLAW.
The Ears Of Victim rendered in Pay
ment of Drinks.
Colorado Gazette.

John Alfred Slade, the noted outlaw and
highwayman, used to wear a beaded and
gaudily ycolored buckskin suit which cost
$3.50. SHADES exploits are well remembered
| by all the old-time settlers in the West. AT
one time he became involved in q difficulty
with Frenchman named Jules, an Indian
trader, who had spent the greater part of his
life among the Indians of the plains.
| Upon the establishment of the overland
| line of coaches to California Jules was much
incensed, as he claimed it was an innovation
upon the rights of the Indians and the trad
ers, and would bring too many whites upon
the plains. He waged incessant war upon
the overland line, with the aid OF Indansan
halfbreeds, by running off stock and COM
mitting other depredations which were con-
tinued without restraint until John Alfred
Slade appeared upon the scene as a division
agent from Kearney West This man was a
refugee from justice, having killed man in
his native county Of Clinton, Ill. Soon after
taking charge of the division Slade became
the terror OF the road, and his bold and reck-
less daring involved him in numerous quar-
rels with stock thieves and Others His quick
aim and steady nerve sent many q desperate
to q bloody grave; in fact, he sought quar-
rels, and, to use the parlance of the times,
always got his man." A deadly teud existed
between Jules and Slade, and the former re-
solved on his (Slade's) death. Knowing that
on q certain day Slade would come down the
road upon the overland COACH Jules laid Tor
him at the station, and as the former alighted
from the coach fired upon him with his gun,
both barrels of which took effect, and as his
enemy lay writhing upon the earth, poured
the contents of his dragon pistol into his
body. Then mounting horse Jules rode
into the mountains, fearing the vengeance of
SHADES friends
Strange and unaccOuntable as it may seem,
Slade was found to be alive and was carried
into the stable, and though lingering upon
the point of death for months, he recovered
from his wounds and laid his plans for the
capture of his enemy, who was finally hunted
down and taken to BOvey's Station. The
names OF the capt0rs of Jules were Nelson
Vaughn, John Fry, and another man, who is
now resident of Montana. Those three per-
sons, having secured Jules, sent messenger
for Slade, and the two bloody men met again
face to face. This time, however, Slade had
the drop being heavily armed and with the
three armed capt0rs of Jules at his back.
Well knowing his doom was sealed Jules
stood up and demanded half a chance for his
ifa. 'Yon gave me no show" retorted Slade,
but take this and defend YOURSELF handing
the Frenchman Il pistol which he knew
well would not revOlye-and the next in
stant sent Il ball through the forehead of
Jules near the top of the skull, who reeled
and fell. Slade and his party then retired to
the next room to take drink, but upon re-
turning found that the Frustrated Frenchman
was gone. Horses were mounted and the
country secured to no effect but upon re-
turning to the station the wounded Jules
was found in an clubhouse covered with hay:
He was led out and shot through the mouth,
and again at the base of the right ear, which
finished the job. Vaughn cut off the ears OF
the dead man and gave one to Slade, resery-
ing the other The two worthless then came
to Denver with these bloody trophies in
their pockets, and wore them out at the diff
ferent bars on prolonged spree in slapping
them on the counter as a tender for payment
of drinks.