The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-10-27
MET HIS FATE.
A Russian Count Lynched in New
Mexico.

IA
Mexico.
New York Times.
His looks would have attracted attention
anywhere, but dressed in fancy cowboy
garb he was particularly noticeable. His
clearly cut features, long, dropping mus
tache, and curly blonde hair, which fell in
curls on his shoulders, made Russian Bill
an object of special interest to strangers.
Three years ago when the writer first
saw him, Russian Bill was known through
southwestern New Mexico as one OF the
San Simod '.rustlers,"a gang of thirty or
forty outlaws that made periodical raids
through Western Arizona, Northern
Mexico and Southwestern New Mexico,
stealing cattle and horses and driving
them to the San Simon valley, where
they were kept until an opportunity offer
eel itself to dispose of them. When not
otherwise engaged, the 'srustlers" sought
amusement in the frontier towns. and held
the inhabitants in state OF terror by their
deeds of reckless daring. Russian Bill was
man of good education; he spoke four
languages fluently, and delighted, when
ever opportunity offered, in discussing
literature, science or art. OF his past moth
ing was known, save that he was from
Russia, and, as it would have been resent
ed as an insult by any of the ''rustlers" to
have asked questions about SO delicate a
subject, no one attempted to discover why
a man of such mental attainments had join
ed a band of outlaws. No crimes outside
of cattle stealing were known to have been
committed by Russian Bill, but the man
himself had claimed to have ''killed his
MANI on several occasions. His best
friend, Curly Bill, the leader Of the crust
lers,'' denied these statements as vain
boasts. Curly Bill himself was known as
the most desperate member Of the band.
Eight murders were positively laid at his
door, while he himself boasted of having
killed thirtY-two men. He often said that
the only time he was ever arrested was
when he killed Marshal White of Tomb
stone, Arizona. The jury in that case
was afraid to convict him and
he was acquitted, although his only
plea in self-defense was that his revolver
would not remain cooked, and when he
pulled back the hammer to frigten the Off
Ger it came down without any pressure on
the trigger. Russian Bills chief boast,
however, was that he had complete power
over Curly Bill, and could prevent the lat
ter from shooting if he chose. His repu-
tation was not that of "bad man," but of
being a braggart, whose heart was really
kind, and whose courage was doubtful.
About two years ago the residents of
Shakespeare, n. NJ, resolved to free them
selves OF the toughest element that had
for long time ruled that place. A vigi-
lance committee was formed, and resolu-
tions were passed that all Of the resident
bad characters should leave inside Of twen-
ty-four hours, and that the first mothers
son who came in should be hanged. The
next morning twelve men were asked to
leave, and when Russian Bill arrived in
town couple Of days later, accompanied
by another rustler named Sandy King, the
citizens decided that the two men should
die as an example to their companions in
crime. Accordingly, at about midnight, a
dozen men entered the room of the Stat
ford hotel occupied by the rustlers. Be-
fore Sandy King and Russian Bill could
offer any resistance they were tied secure
ly, ropes were thrown over the beam above
| their beds, and they were pulled up and
left hanging until they were dead. The
| next morning coroner's jury held an in
quest and brought in verdict that the
men had committed suicide by hanging.
A short time ago the sheriff of Grant
county, New Mexico, received a letter
| from the American Consul at st. Peters
| burg, saying that the Countess Telfnin
| was very anxious to learn the whereabouts
of her son, who had been banished for po-
| litical reasons, but who possessed large real
estates The letter inclosed photograph
of Russian Bill. Word was sent that the
| Count had committed suicide at Shakes
peare two years ago, and the true facts
| were kept from the knowedge Of his moth.
| er.