Hillsboro recorder., 1888-01-12
THE FIENDs CAUGHT.
A Family Of HIurderers Come Up With In
Texas BY cowboy Avengers.

tors Of the famous Bender family, have
been overtaken by swift and awful retri-
button. Aposse Of self-appointcd ayen-
gers found them In Texas, whittier they
had fed from their ranch in 'sNo Mans
Land, " and, in the fight that ensued, the
mother and daughter were killed. The
old man escaped, bat the son, Bill, was
caught and hanged. The horrible crimes
charged against the Kelly family even
srrpasses those Of the notorious Bender
family, and recall the Juvenile stories Of
the giants, who, in ancient times, estab-
lished themselves in some lonely spot and
fed upon the bodies OF unhappy travellers
They were believed to be respectable,
honest and harmless people, and their
ranch being on the public road--or what
goes as public road in that country
travellers stopped there almost every day
70 get something to eat, or, perhaps,
nights lodging. The family consisted Of
Kelly, his wife, one son and a daughter,
the children both grown. Although il,
iterate, they were certainly cleanly and
evidently industrious. In the centre of
the floor they had constructed trap door
which opened into basement under
meath. Their practice seems to have been
10 sound their victim and ascertain,a as far
rs possible, the extent Of his cash il hand.
Then they deliberately, ii seems, prepared
to dispose Of him. Either the father OF
the son, or in some case the daughter
who was not bad-looking girl-carried
on conversation with the guest, while
the mother prepared the meal. Every
thing being in readiness for the sacrifice,
the victim was seated at the table, his
chair being placed on the trap-door. AT
given signal the spring was touched
and the unhappy traveller would be
thrown into the basement, where, in the
dark--if the fall did not break his neck
he could be dispatched at pleasure. This
Is supposed 70 have been the modus oper-
andi, for no one is known to have ever
escaped from their clutches. Some Of the
friends Of Merchant, johnson the cowboy
partners Of q murdered Texan, concluded
70 catch these people II ii took the rest Of
their lives TO do II, and accordingly they
left town one morning going almost due
west. They had gone about fifty miles
from their starting point and were pre-
pairing 70 camp on small creek, when
one Of the cowboys noticed dug-out,
that seemed to have been newly made, a
short distance up the stream, and started
towards II, calling 70 his companions to
come on and see Il they could learn any
thing Of the chase from these people. All
OF once he stopped short, and ducked.
The next instant the sharp report OF a
rife broke the stiffness and q bullet
whistled past the ear of the man In ad-
vance. This proved that their prey had
been run 20 earth, and the whole party
beat retreat 70 concoct some scheme 10
capture the gang. The wagon used by
the family In reaching the place, stood
some distance from the sod house. II
was finally decided that three Of the party
should advance and dig down into the
place while the other four covered the
house with their guns. Accordingly
this plan was adopted, and the three del
egated for the hazardous task advanced
and mounted the roof. The parties inside
could not get q chance to FIRE on
them now until the roof should be cayed
In, when the greatest danger would be
incurred for the attacking party. A hole
was finally made IN thetop, when q rapid
fusilade began within, and one Of the at
tacking party was shot through the heart.
Nothing daunted, the others hauled up
that old wagon, which was partly loaded
with dry hay, and set II on fire right over
the hole, amid a perfect rain Of bullets.
Tho smoke poured into the house, as did
the hot Goals, but not one of the family
appeared. Getting tired Of waiting, the
avengers closed upon the place. and get
ting 70 the entrance desperate fight
took place. The interior Of the
dugout was literally flooded with
bullets while cries and curses came
from within. At last the son, Bill
Bill Kelly, staggered from the i',@e.
horrible looking sight. His hair Vas on
Gre and one arm had been broken In two
places. Following him came The mother,
hourishing big knife in one hand and
trying to use revolver with the other.
Ono Of the attacking party taking de.
iibcrate aim, killed her Just as her mis-.
cradle and cowardiy husband came run
II Nlu4 Nuts NVtU MINUS uhss HHW HNE8NE
pilcously thai his life be spared. To cap
lurc both father and son i t00y lait ia
instant. ani then the capoia sll0scl
their D lssion TO get away tlitlica lict'
judgment. the prisoners were tortured :
n every conceivable manner, the father
Begging MI the time iur mercy, while the
lon boastcd 81 his wicked deeds, until
anable 10 bear with him, be was hltched
10 lariat and tImply dragged 10 death
over the prairie on horscbsok. The whole
party were 20 interested in watching this
death scene lhat the old man was for.
gotten, and as Il was Dow dusk, he sue.
seeded In mounting his horse aud
getting start before bis absence was
discovered. Heescaped. Thcman who
bad been draVgiug young Bill around
Joined In the chose, and when Il ended
he found that his victim had literally
been torn 70 pieces on the sharp rocks
and hard ground.
Il NaxT ~ p4Rr