The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-02-23


do in 1887. Born in st. Louis in 1924
Mr.. Tobens, when only 13 years old,
gave rein to his restless fancy and came
out with a train to the far West.
Though 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 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 perilous places and,
Othello-like, had many ''hair-breadth
Escapes i th' imminent deadly breach. +"
From time>to time he INDUCED 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 Will
liam Gilpin was gwen command Of the
Federal troops by President Polk, To-
bens became one 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 clamorous
for rations. 1t was desperate situa-
tion and desperate chances had to be
taken to relieve the besieged. Tom
Tobens was selected to run the gauntlet
and bring in a supply of sugar, coffee,
and -four. 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 vicissitudes and both
have well earned the repose which has
has come to their declining years. Ex-
Governor Gilpin lives in Denver, Colo
RADIO, surrounded by happy family,
supplied with all the luxuries which
refined taste can suggest, and money
can purchase. Tom TObens owns a
fine ranch in Costilla county, has a
family of grewn-up children and lives
among them in contentment. Mr.. To
bens went to Denver to see about the
title to some of his property, and In this
work Governor Gilpin lent him help.
ing hand, Mr.. Tobens called at the
State House and had talk with some
of the officials. He 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 little curious to know whether
the story was true. So was a reporter,
who heard of the visit. and he called al
the residence Of Governor Gilpin, where
Mr.. Tobens was stopping. Mr.. Tobens
said that the event happened in 1868.
He was then living near Fort Garland
which post was under command Of Col
onel Tappan. Felipe Nerid Esplnosa
and his brother ,in-law, Besanti Roma
70, two Mexican bandits, had been ter.
rorizing the country, killing and plum
derlng 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 Tobens.
"He said to me-" continued the
pioneer, "I want you to go out and
capture that fellow and get the reward.
Who do you want to go with you?'
named two men that 1 knew were
trustworthy and said if could gel
them would go. Colonel Tappan said
| couldn't go out with such force,
that l didn't know how many bandits
there were in Espinosa's camp, and
that must take twenty-five soldiers.
l had seen Just befole this time 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 1 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, 1 said if he
would give me six soldiers and put me
in absolute command 1 would go. lie
agreed to this and detailed the men.
Lieutenant Baldwin, of the Regulars,
came and said he wanted to go with
me. thought it would be good
plan to take him along to command the
soldiers and told Colonel Tappan so,
and Baldwin was detailed also. We
started out from the fort-I think il
was in September-and the first day,
we started the bandits from tempo
rary camp in the hills. They saw US
coming so far away that they had time
to get away. When we reached theil
camp, they were upon the hills where
they could see us. So said we would
, go down the creek and lead thnm Il
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 som(
distance and then lost it.
Lieutenant Baldwin and L had {
talk, and we concluded to separate
, He took three men and went up int
some hills, while 1, with three soldier.
and Mexican boy, kept on looking
for the trail we had lost, AT last 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 turT
back. l urged them on and shortly
thereafter saw some crows flying in !
circle just ahead of us. L told my mel
that the bandits were camped where the
crows were flying, and cautioned then
r to be on the alert and have their gun!
ready. We had'reached the brow of 8
small hill, and on the other side were {
lot of young pines. went ahead
creeping slowly. Finally l raised VI
and saw something move. l didn't
know what it was, but moment latel
, l heard voices. The Mexican Language
was being spoken and was sure by the
bandits. lcrept forward and soon saw
man, whom took from the descrip
tion had heard to be Espinosa.
raised my rifle, muzzle loader madt
TO order and a fine gun, but the maj
3 moved about and went to tree, 50
dare not shoot for fear of missing him
> He still kept talking and l motioneC
the boys to come up. Just then tn,
bandit stepped forward SO that L coulC
see his whole side, and, aiming at hi
heart, l fired. He fell backward be
hind some logs crying "Jesus, tavo
me; Pm killed." at the same time cry