Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-24
CLABE YOUNG'S CAREER OF
CRIME.
A Noted Texan Muir derer and High
way Robber Found fin wyoming

n
way Robber Found fin wyoming
Clabe Young, one of the most no.
torious of Texan bandits, has just
been jailed at Tilden, Tex, where
six years ago he committed cruel
and unprovoked murder. The story
of his crimes and capture reads like a
romance. For years prior to 1873
Clabe and his brother Bill, had been
the leaders of gang of outlaws and
road agents, who terr0riZed a large
district in the southwestern portion
of Texas. They shot down pcaceable
citizens by the score, robbed banks
and individuals and stole horses and
cattle, which they ran into Mexico
and sold at low prices. At last urged
to desperate means by the extremities
of the situation, the citizens organized
band for the purpose of putting a
stop to these high-handed Outrages.
Just at this time Clabe Young rode
into the town of Tilden, and brutally
shot down in open daylight an in
offensive Irishman named O'DOnnell.
This was in November 1878. Learn
ing that thu rangers were on their
track, the Young brothers and the
other members Of the gang fed the
country, and although the State au-
thOrities offered large rewards for
their arrest and skilled detectives
were put on the scent of the leaders
no clew Of their whereabouts was ever
discovered.
About three months ago Detective
Finkbone, of Capt. Turtles Chicago
Detective agency, while on an i'm
pgrtant mission to Wyoming, CHANGED
to meet man whose cOUntenance
seemed familiar to him. After some
reflection he decided that the man was
the original of a picture in the rogues'
gallery at Turtles agency, and fugi-
tive from justice. He communicated
with the agency, giving description
Of the man, and was informed in re
ply that the description was identical
with that of Clabe Young, who was
wanted in Texas for various crimes.
The detective was ordered to go to
Texas at once and obtain what infor-
nation was necessary, with a view
to arresting the fugitive. This he did.
He learned that Young was a native
of LiyeOak county, Texas, and stood
indicted for murder, highway robbery,
larceny and cattle stealing. Selecting
the indictment of murder on which to
obtain a requisition for the arrest of
Young, the detective returned to
Wyoming. He succeeded in locating
the outlaw near Sand Creek pass, at
the foot of Table Mountain, about 95
miles south of the town of Rawlins.
He was living on a ranch with one
Mrs. Castro, whose husband he had
driven away from home year before,
literally robbing the man of his wife.
his ranch, and 81, 100 worth of cattle
The detective, accompanied by
Sheriff Miller, of Carbon county, and
his deputy, proceeded to the vicinity
of the Castro ranch, Sept. 26, arriving
there in the night. At about o'clock
IN the morning the three men secreted
themselves in some bushes near the
house, and waited for daylight. AS
soon as the first signs of life were OBJ
served about the place the officers
went to the front door and knocked.
A voice sang cut, ''cOme in" They
entered and found Clabe Young sitting
on the side of the bed, with his pants
and one boot on. Without appearing
greatly surprised at so early visit,
the outlaw in 7ited the men to be seat
ed, and remarked that as the morning
was cold he would bring in the whisky
bottle. He pulled on his other boot,
and rose, apparently to 60 into rear
room, when the detective and sheriff
suddenly seized him by the arms and
held him fast, while the deputy cover
ed him with a revolver. Young made
one desperate lunge to escape, but be-
fore he could make q second effort his
wrists were punched by nippers, and
the next instant a pair of handouts
were adjusted. Mrs. Castro came run
ming in with double barrelled shot
gun, and cried out:
"Clabe, for Gods sake can't you use
thisl"
The outlaw struggled to gain possess
ion of the weapon, but seeing that his
efforts were useless, he exclaimed:
mo, sis, guess the games up"
Mrs CastrO'S two sons, however,
also rushed into the room, one araed
with a butcherknife and the other
with bar of iron; but they were both
speedily disarmed, as was also Mrs
Castro. The boys were taken into
custody, and with Young, were con-
veyed to Rawlins and put in jail
A special train was provided for the
detective at RawIins. and he proceed
ed at once to Cheyenne with his pris-
oner. After a brief delay there the
journey was resumed, and officer and
prisoner are now in Texas. Young IS
down-hearted aud thinks he will be
hanged All his bravado has left him
since his arrest, and he frequently
breaks down and weeps bitterly. He
admits that he murdered O'Donnell,
but declares that he was drunk at the
time. Young is about 80 years Of age,
) feet IN inchas in LalmLt of rnsdinna