Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-29

ieaFe tHat part OF tne county however
and appeared from time to time in the
courts, receiving sentences on one or two
occasions. After he established himsel
in Antelope Valley he became notet
for being the possessor of an unusua
number of watches, having at one time
five on his person. AS, however, moth.
ing was known of his previous history
this was simply regarded as a whim
which Fray explained by stating that he
bought one whenever he took a fancy to
it. During the period of his residence in
the hills he has made himself many
enemies, but few friends, and if he is put
where he will be out of harms way there
are few who will regret his loss.
Had Rony Crane come up with him
the night the house was burned to the
ground, the County Jail would never
have had him for an inmate, for Rony' e
wrath was something terrible. Crane
saw the light of the burning house just
as he was fixing for nights rest and
called Joe Harwood's attention so it..
That individual remarked that he
thought it was reflection of the moon,
but suddenly the flames shot up, and
knowing from their location that it was
his place Rony shouted, "Come on Joe /"
and rushing to where the tethered
horses were peacefully grazing he jumped
on one without saddle and bride. They
we're high up on hill and Rony spurred
his horse down it at breakneck speed,
Joe following close up though unable to
keep pace with his frenzied leader.
"Everythings gone," groaned Rony, as
they sighted the burning house, and
scarce knowing what he was doing he
spurred his horse into the midst of the
flames in the hopes of saving some few
tokens that he priced. Then he set off
on Fray's trail and followed it up to
Balls place some four miles distant.
"Open the door, Shouted Crane, "and
bring that - out"
No answer came, SO Rony raised his
rifle on high and broke in the door with
its butt, whereupou Balls appeared, and
disclaimed all knowledge of Fray's where.
abouts. Fray's excuse of not being near
seen within two miles of it before the
was seen lurking about by Mrs. Crane
before she left the house.
FRAY's GOOD HORSE SENSE.
There is no doubt at all that Fray did
remarkably sensible thing in giving
himself up, for had he been captured he
would probably have never had time to
say his prayers. Great credit is due to
Constable Magee for his conduct through
out the entire affair. Though young
man and in possession of the star but
few months, he acted like veteran
thief-catcher, and left no stone unturned
by which his man might be secured.
For four days and nights he has been on
the trail, with only an hour or two occa-
sionally for sleep, and that he has not
wasted much time is evidenced by the
fact that he has averaged about 100 miles
day, horseback travel. 1t would be
good thing for the cattlemen and
ranchers in general If men like Fray
could be exterminated from that part of
the country, for the hills that form
what is called the coast range are
simply infested with these light-hngered
gentry and life and property is ever inse-
cure. Magee says that when he was at
Fray's dug-out on Thursday night two
brawny individuals armed from top to
toe put in an appearance, with the lame
excuse for their desperate appearance
that they were miners. 1t was evident,
however, that they were engaged in some
other occupation, where manual labor
did not form q very striking feature and
conclusions may be drawn from the fact
that the man who robbed the San Luis
Obispo stage some ten days ago in such a
daring manner is doubtless one OF
the gang that prowls about in the hills.
1t is comparatively speaking safe re-
treat for these land pirates, for no rail-
road brings its disturbing influence for
many miles in any direction, and the
confguration of the country is such that
an army of men unacqualnted with the
surroundings might look for them for
months in vain. The Fray episode has
proved quite an excitement for that Sec
ton of the country, and residents of the
country, both far and near, greedily de-
your all information pertaining to it as it
appears in these columns.