, 1884-03-12
CHEYENNE MEN ABROAD.
Frank Hyatt, Formerly Of This City,
Makes His Mark at Alamosa,
Colorado.
He Kills a Desperate in a Terrible
Fight.

Jok ilahh was
formerly proprietor of the "Lone Star"
hotel and boarding house, which form
erly stood on the present site of the
Baptist church. This establishment of
which he was for a long time the pro-
prietor, was finally burnt down, and
shortly after this mishap he opened the
"Overland house," on Eddy street,
where he remained for a year or two.
Finally he sold out and with his fam
lily, went down into Colorado to try his
fortunes.
He finally located at Alamosa in that
state, where he was appointed deputy
sheriff and but a short time ago was
elected city marshal of that place.
Only a few days ago Mr.. Hyatt was
notified of the advent of a noted des-
perado named John Van Pelt, accom-
panied by another of the same stripe
named Morgan. They were wanted on
the charge of murder committed in one
of the counties of Southern Colorado,
and as Don as it was ascertained by
Hyatt that the desperadoes were in the
place he Immediately set about effect
ing their capture. The following &C
count Of the result OF Hyatt's adven-
ture has just come to hand:
Van Pelt had ridden in from a ranch
and after fastening his horse to a post
in front of Smith q Wilson'S store,
started in search of MIR. Doris. AS
soon as he came up Marshal Hyatt
stepped up to him and placing his hand
on bis shoulder, said, Johnnie, l guess
l will have to hold you this time," and
started to show him his papers, when
Van Pelt made a break which finally
cost him his life. He did not say a
word but stepped quickly back and
throwing his hand upon a gun that he
carried in a side pocket, leveled it on
the marshal. \ Mr.. Doris was sitting
quietly on his horse during all this, but
now realizing what it meant, cried out,
For G@'s sake, John, don't do any
thing like thatl" and sprang from his
horse and knocked the gun aside. AS
he did so he caught him by one arm
and the collar of his coat, but Van
Pelt, with a sudden jerk, wrenched
himself away and then turned and fired
at Doris, but as he fired Mr.. Doris
again succeeded in striking the weapon
and destroying the aim. AS it was, the
heavy ball passed into the opening of
his vest between two buttons, through
his shirt and passing out nea his upper
vest poke. on the left side, the ball in
its course cutting in two a cigar that
was in the pocket. This was a close
shave for Mr.. Doris, for If the bullet
had passed an inch nearer he
would have been a dead man.
Van Pelt then turned and
started on a run for his horse, but as
he jumped from the walk Mr.. Doris
sprang forward and grasped him by
the coat, tearing the back nearly off.
The battle then commenced in earnest.
Van Pelt whirled around and fired a
shot at Marshal Hyatt. The marshal
got his gun out and blazed away at Van
Pelt, Mr.. Doris following suit. Van
Pelt by this time had got nearly across
State avenue, and was making for his
horse, with Marshal Hyatt following
him up along the sidewalk and Mr..
Doris in the middle of the street so as
to head him off. At every few steps
fha trio xuatld holt anJ aUnhannn aHoNn
but doing no damage that could lie OBJ.
served at the time. Van Pelt turned
every now and then, firing at his pur-
suers alternately, until he succeeded in
reaching the post to which his horse
was tied. At the time he reached this
post, behind which he swung himself
so as to partly protect his body, Mar
shal Hyatt vas about twenty-five feet
behind him, at the eastern corner of
Smith Il Wilson's building, and Mr..
Doris about the same distance in the
street. While he was trying to unite
his horse with one hand he was making
good use Of his ~six-shooter with the
other, firing first at the marshal, and
then at Mr.. Doris, lodging about the
post in the meantime to escape their
bullets. He had about loosened his
horse, and to make sure of one of his
p%ursuers, took careful aim at Marshal
Hyatt, resting his gun on the side Of
the post and fired, but as he did 80 the
marshal sprang to n side and thereby
saved his life. Before Van Pelt was
again able to Ere the marshal and Mr..
Doris fred simultaneously, both bull
lets striking their mark. and Johnnie
Van Pelt rolled over upon the ground,
writhing and twisting in his death
agony.
AT this Juncture the people who had
taken refuge to escape the bullets,
which at one time were flying thick and
fast, began pouring out of the stores,
and soon there was a large and excited
crowd gathered about who were anxi-
GUS to learn all the particulars. Dur
ing the few moments these events were
t%ranspiring some fifteen or more shots
were fred, and 1t is a wonder that more
people were not injured, for the bullets
vent histling up and down the street
in a most reckless manner Quite a
number of people remained on the
street, the discreet mes having sudden
ly retired from the scene to come forth
again when the danger was over.
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