The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-31
Wednesday, Jan. 81, 1888.
ARIZONA COWBOYS,
wild Rscapades of the Baud Led by Curley
Bill.


The Arizona Citizen publishes an article
containing an account of the mock trial and
execution of Joe Palmer by Curley Bills
gang of outlaws who formerly infested the
San Simon Valley, on the southeastern Dor
der Of that Territory, The career OF this
band was a remarkable one. Not long after
the killing of Palmer certain Methodist
preacher, who had been holding religious
services in the town of Tombstone. posted
notices that there would be preaching at
Charleston on a particular Sunday This
latter town was favorite resort for the
cowboys. While services were being held
Curley Bill and five of his gang marched up
the aisle and took seats on the front bench.
During the remainder of the exercises they
paid strict attention TO the speaker and be-
haved with the utmost decorum. After the
congregation was dismissed and while those
present were still in the building, Curley
Bill stepped up to the preacher and remark
ed that they had been greatly interested in
the perform ance, but that it was Of tanner
nature than they had been accustomed to
and now they had concluded to have some
thing q little moro lively. His six shooter
was quickly drawn and placed at the head of
the preacher and the latter was commanded
to dance. The good man began to remon-
strate, but Curley wouldn't listen, g Dance
instantly or 1 will blow your brains out" he
commanded. There was no alternative, and
the man Of God was compelled to dance
from the stand to the door of the building
Then the cowboys coolly mounted their
horses and boldly rode off. Not long after
this quarrel occurred between two of the
gang, man named Barter and another, a
special pet of Curley's. The latter was kill
ed and Barter fed to New Mexico Curley
Bill, learning that Barter was in the town of
Shakespeare in that Territory, started for
that place, avowing his intention to kill tho
slayer of his pal. few days later word
cana that in fight at saloon in Shaks-
peare Curley Bill had killed three men, in
Gliding Barter and Ike Clinton. Curley
Bill returned to California City and got on
big spree. During the debauch he was
ooasting to the boys how he gave it to him
n the neck" This is favorite term among
cowboys and Curley had reference to the
manner in which he had killed Barter. Jim
Wallace, who was present and friend Of
Barter, watched his chance, and just after
lark, as Curley Bill staggered out Of a sa-
loon, he stood by the door and plunged
bowie knife into his neck, remarking as hs
left, How do you like il in the neck p
Curley fell like beef His friends gath
cred around him, supposing every moment
would be his last. lie lay weltering in
blood A messenger was despatched for a
surgeon Dr. J. L. Ord, post surgeon at
Fort Bowie, was soon on the ground. The
iaotor directed the wounded man to be Ia
ken 70 the post hospital, saying at tho same
time that he thought the wound was mortal.
After the patient arrived at the hospital the
doctor found the only way to save the life of
the man would be to insert tube in tho
gullet and pump liquid nourishment into
the stomach, as it was impossible for the
wounded man TO swallo;s anything what
ever, owing to the nature of tho wound.
This was done, and for weeks Curley Bill
was fed and had to breathe through the
tube. He finally recovered. The above
iacts were related to the writer by Dr. Ord.