The Penn's Grove record., 1884-02-23

county, is visiting Ex-Governor Will
liam Gilpln, of Colorado. Mr.. Tokens,
who 60 years Of age, came 10 Colora-
do in 1887. Born in st. Louis in 1924
Mr.. Tokens, when only - years old,
gave rein to his restless fancy and came
out with a train to the far West.
Though a mere boy he was hardy and
courageous and his sturdy qualities were
admired by his superiOrs. He was early
identified with the military service and
became a sort Of protege of Colonel st.
Vrain, who figures prominently in the
military annals of Colorado. In his
capacity Of guide and scout he passed
through many peTilous places and,
Othello-like, had many ''hair-breadth
'sCapes i tn imminent deadly breach"
From time to time he indulged in trad
ing with the Indians and MeXicans and
became universally known in the Rocky
mountain region. At the close of the
Mexican war, when Ex-Governor VIII
liam Gilpin was gwen command Of the
Federal troops by President Polk, To-
bens became n of his trusted scouts.
At one time, when Governor Gilpin
and a little band of soldiers were
hemmed in by Indians, provisions ran
short and the men became clam0rous
for rations. 1t was a desperate sltua-
ton and desperate chances had to be
taken to relieve the besieged. Tom
Tokens was selected to run the gauntlet
and bring in a supply of sugar, coffee,
and dour. He undertook the task,
and though he had to travel down to
Santa Fe, New Mexico, for his sugar
and coffee, he made the trip in safety
and relieved the necessities of the fort.
Mr.. Tobens performed many other
deeds during his service under Governor
Gilpin and earned the sincere friendship
of his able commander. Both passed
through many yicissitudeS and both
have well earned the repO5e which has
has come to their declining years. EX-
Governor Gilpin lives in Denver, Colo
RADIO, surrounded by a happy family,
supplied with all the luXuries which
refined taste can suggest, and money
can purchase. Tom TObenS own a
fine ranch in CostilIa county, has a
family of grewn-up children and lives
among them in cOntentment. MIR. 10
bens went to Denver to see about the
title to some of his property, and IN this
work Governor Gilpin lent him d help
ing hand, Mr.. Tokens called at the
State House and had a talk with some
of the officials. lie had heard that a
knife with which he had cut the head
from a celebrated bandit tWenty-one
years ago was in the State House, and
he was a little curious to know whether
the story was true. So was a reporter.
who heard of the visit. and he called at
the residence of Governor Gilpin, where
Mr.. Tokens was stopping. Mr.. Tokens
said that the event happened in 1868.
He was then living near Fort Garland,
which post was under command of Col
onel Tappan. Felipe NeTid EspmOsa
and his brother in-laW, Besanti Roma
70, two Mexican bandits, had been ter
rorizing the country, killing and plum
derIng traders and miners and making
their very names words Of terror.
Many efforts had been made to capture
them but without avail. Finally Colo
mel Tappan sent for Tom Tokens.
"He said to me-" continued the
pioneer, 4 want you to go out and
capture that fellow and get the reward.
Who do you want to go with you2' l
named two men that l knew were
trustworthy and said if l could get
them l would go. Colonel Tappan said
| couldn't go out with such a force;
that l didn't know how many bandits
there were in Espin0sa's camp, and
that | must take twenty-five soldiers.
| had seen Just befOle this time a MeXi-
can woman who had been captured by
ESpinosa and who had made her escape.
She said their were only two of the
devels. So | told Colonel Tappan that
l wouldn't go with a company of sol
diers, but, as the two men wanted were
not to be had, being away, | SAID If he
would give me six soldiers and put me
in absolute command l would go. lie
agreed to this and detailed the men.
Lieutenant Baldwin, of the Regulars,
came and said he wanted TO 60 with
me. l thought it would be a good
plan to take him along to command the
soldiers and told Colonel Tappan 50,
and Baldwin was detailed also. We
started out from the fOrt-l think it
was i'll September-and the first day,
we started The bandits from a tempo
rary camp in the hills. They saw us
coming so far away that they had time
to get away. When we reached their
camp, they were ulOn the hills where
they could see us. So | said we would
go down the creek and lead thnm to
believe we were going back to the fort.
We did so, but, returned under cover
of night and in the morning started
into the hills. Finally we found the
trail of the bandits. They were driving
an OK, and we followed the trail some
distance and then lost it.
Lieutenant Baldwin and | had a
talk, and we concluded to separate.
lie took three men and went up into
some hills, while 1, with three soldiers
and a Mexican boy, kept on looking
for the trail we had lost, AT last l dis
covered where the men had entered
some fallen timber, and felt that the
camp was near. My men became dis.
satisfied, however, and wanted to turn
back. l urged them on and shortly
thereafter | saw some row flying in a
circle Just ahead of us. | told my men
that the bandits were camped where the
crows were flying, and cautioned them
to be on the alert and have their guns
ready. We had reached the brow of a
small hill, and on the other side were a
lot of young pines. | went ahead
creeping slowly. Finally L raised up
and saw something move. L didn't
know what it was, but a moment later
| heard voices. The Mexican language
was being spoken and | was sure by the
bandits, lcrept forward and O saw
a man, whom | took from the descrip-
ton | had heard to be Espinosa. |
raised my rifle, a muzzle loader made
to order and a fine gun, but the man
moved about and went to a tree, so l
dare not shoot for fear of missing him.
He still kept talking and L motioned
the boys to come up. just then the
bandit stepped forward so that l could
see his whole side, and, aiming at his
heart, | fired. He fell backward be-
hind some logs crying Jesus, favor
me; I'm killed." at the same time cry
;ru T., biu onp,papfnD tsEgoapa - HIM,