Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-02-08
An Old Trapper Visits Denver After
Many Years-Story of the Capture
and BeheadinG OF Spinoza-
Pol AIc,l.nt nir,

Rocky Mountain News.
Thomas S. Tokens, one of the old
est pioneers of the west, is at present
in Denver visiting Ex-Governor Gil
pin. Mr.. Tokens is a character in his
way. He Wa born in St. Louis and
came west in 1887 when only IL years
old. Since that time his life has nee,
essarily been one of adventure As
fed with many stirring events of bor
der life. One of the most thrilling of
events which he relates, is his killing
and subsequent beheading of Spinoza,
a Mexican ruffian and outlaw, who
was accredited with any number of
robberies, and a CHASTITY record of
thirty cold blo9ded murders. Accord
ing to Tobens' statement, Spinoza was
beast who deserved and received no
mercy at the hands of man. In 1868,
after series of murders more cold
blooded than any before recorded.
Governor Evans offered a reward for
the head of the dreaded desperate.
The troops at Fort Garland, under the
command of Colonel Eaton, were
composed chiefly of Mexican volun-
teers, whose reputation for bravery
was not frst-class, and could not be
depended upon and this one man with
his nephew terrorized the whole
country. At this juncture, Tobens,
who knew almost every foot of the
country and the various trails, yolun-
teered to rid the country of this pest.
An escort of some eighteen men under
the command of Lieutenant, after
ward Cononel Tappan, accompanied
him. Directing the soldiers to proceed
by one route, he and two others made
their way across the country through
some timber, and attracted by num-
Der of crows circling around overhead,
fixed the location of his prey in the
up he heard voices, and getting nearer
he saw the fur cap of the outlaw raise
up between the trunks of some aspens.
Waiting this opportunity he fired,
striking his victim in the side. SPinoza
Immediately ran across an open space,
to where Vlviendte Spinoza, his nep-
hew, was. Meanwhile, however,
Tokens fired another shot, which was
fatal to the older offender, and one of
his companions performed the same
office for Viviendte. When they ran
up Fellipenero the elder was in his last
gasp, vainly endeavoring to draw his
pistol, muttering at the same time
some prayers in Mexican. He lived
but few moments, and when he was
dead Tokens drew from the belt his
hunting knife and deity severed his
head from his shoulders. A Mexican
boy who was with him performed the
same little office for Viviendte. The
heads were taken to the fort
and preserved in spirits by the
surgeon in charge. This ter
rible punishment put an end
to the oullawry and murder which
had previously made life unsafe on
the roads and trails of the then thin
ly settled country. These heads are
believed to be in Denver at this time,
but in whose custody is not known. |
The reward which was offered was |
never paid, although the legislature |
some few years ago made an appro-
priation for the relief of Tobens,
of $500, which was never paid to him. |
The old trapper has seen frontier life
In all of its phases, and was well ac-
Qu6lnte0 Win anu served unQef nh /
Carson when he was the colonel In
charge at Fort Garland. He is now
living in Conejes county, about four
miles from Fort Garland where he
owns a ranch and considerable cattle.
His daughter Is married to William
Carson, Kits Oldest son by his second
wife. a Mexican woman, who was re-
ce atly elected sheriff of Conejos
county. Tobenis stories of frontier
Life and Indian wars would fill a vol
ume. but the old man Is rather slow
of speech and it requires some time
for him to collect his ideas He still
has a notion that he can collect the
reward offered by Governor Evans In
1868 for Fellipenero Spinoza's cap
.ure.