West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-07-21
AN EARLY JESSE JAMES.
DOG MIDDLETON, A HIGH
WAYMAN, BRIGAND
AND DESPER-
ADO.
Out OF the Penitontiary Ready for
Bustness-Betwoon Choy-
onne and Dead
wood - Opera
uons OF his
Gang.

Doc Middleton, says the Denver
Tribune, whose exploits az a highway
man, brlgand aud desperate are part
OF the early history Of Colorado, Wy
oming and Nebraska, and who has
been serving five years sentence in
the peniteDtisIy Tor stealing cattle
IN the North Park, was discharged
from that institution last Friday and
immediately boarded the eastward
bound train. His destinatiou ia nm
known, but he informed the prison
officials that he was going to new
country where the name of Middle
ton was unknown, aad where he
would have an opportunity of lead
ing new life among strangers. Dur
ing bic long confinement in the prip-
on he behaved himself like a mar,
and conformed to the rules of the
prison to the letter, not receiving one
black msik. A few days before his
| discharge, while at work in one of the
shops 10 the prison, and iutently re-
aecting on the lew days more OF
prison life. be put one OF his fingers
too near the buzz-saw, cutting if off
Tue prison physioian attended TO the
finger, and the next day Middleton
reported to the warden that he was
ready for some light work. He was
told that he might go into the hos-
Pital FOR repairs, if he choose hat he
answered that his service belonged
TO the State, and he was ready to put
IN the time faithfully.
During the early days Of the Black
Hllls excitement Doc aud bis gang
orerated on the road bet ween Chey-
enDe and Deadwood City, at
times varying the business of rob
blnG stage coaches by stealing cattle
Once he was captured and tried by
n crowd oi cowboys, and sentenced
to be hung. Hls arms and legs were
bound, and he was mountod on a
horse aud driven under limb Of a
large tree. from which a rope hung.
A moose was made and tied under
| his neck. and the horse driven away, D.,
leaving Middleton suspended in mid.
air. Two Of the members Of his gan 9
happened TO be IN the neighborhoo1
and after the cowboys had ridden q -
way they cut 'DoO' down, and after
two hours hard work rtsuscitated
bin. For several years after this
occurrence it was claimed that Doc -
ghost haunted the Territory, and in
Vulnerable stories were written Of
ITS exploits. One night the ghost at =
tackled etage coach and one OF the
more courageous passengers shot at
and wounded the ghost, which
proved TO be the veriteble Middle
ton masqueradiDg in the guiee Of o
ghost, and carrying on bis usual av-
ocations. a very lurld account oi
the exploits Of 'Middleton's Ghost ;
written by Stanley Hnntly, then an
attacbe Of paper in Dakota, TO the
Brooklyn EagLe. was The means Of HE
employment as a regular correspon-
dent, and no doubt contributed to
the later success Of the Spoopendyke
papers. During the early part Of the
year 1875, Middleton and a pal plan
ned and executed bold bank rob =
berry at Deadwood City, which was
ior long time laid at the door Of
the James gang, and Pnkerton's de-
tectiges sPent thousands Of dollars
hunting them, while Middleton With
Dis swag remained quietly 10 Dead.
wood laughing IN bis sleeve.