, 1888-10-27

camp on Sand creek, about seventy-ive
miles north of Rawlins. That Carter es-
capped speedy and Just retribution was due
alone to lis horsemanship and knowledge
of the country.
On the day of the killing the dead
felon filed himself with liquor and be-
came unusually quarrelsome. AS a target
for his taunts, insults and blows he
selected an inoffensive boy, James JEFF
frey. He charged the latter with being
a Stock Association spy, one detailed to
report Irregularities in branding, ETC., to
the organization of cattle owners. JEFF
frey Indignantly denied the accusation,
when Carter covered him with a six
shooter, slapped and struck him repeat
eddy, thoroughly terrorizing the boy. No
one believed that the bully had the cour-
age to shoot and he was allowed to retain
his weapon, although the cooler heads
advised that he be disarmed. He was
ordered by the foreman to desist under
penalty of discharge, and for a time was
quiet.
But the devil was in Carter and he con-
tinued to abuse Jeffrey at every opportu-
nifty during the day. AT night Carter's
four ''bunkies," or sleeping companions,
retired IN their tent and their burly mess
mate rode to a distant ranch where whis-
ky was sold.
The bad man returned with a fendish
purpose in possession of him. At the
ranch he intimated that he would spill
blood before morning" and he doubtless
meditated the murder of Jeffrey.
Carter charged into the tent, making
not a little unnecessary noise. He was
drunk, but did not stagger. The effect of
the liquor was counteracted by the thought
of murder in his cowardlY heart.
By the light of a tallow candle fixed in
a rude lantern his companions from their
blankets saw Carter flourish his six shoot
er. They realized their danger and dared
not utter a word. The clustering rufian
discharged his frearm, sending a bullet
whizzing over the heads of the PROSTATE
occupants of the tent. To demonstrate
with him would have been folly. Moth
ing was said. The bully was chief. All
were at his mercy.
And now Carter turned his attention to
the bloody task for which he had nerved
himself-the ruthless slaughter of Jeffrey,
who was then well nigh dead of terror.
The awful crime was committed in an
instant.
Carter ordered the boy to rise, with a
curse changed the command to 'lie
down." and while Jeffrey was in a sitting
posture sent the messenger of death crash
ing through his skull. The lads brains
spattered against the canvas. He lin
gered about nine hours and died in terri
BILE agony.
Carter mounted his broncho and was
away into the night like the wind. In
half an hour fifty cowboys were On his
trail, determined to avenge the unpro-
voked killing OF their favorite. Rein
forcements Joined the chase at every ranch
and Carter's capture and early demise
seemed certain.
But the murderer had been cunning.
He had selected a speedy horse with test
ed qualities of endurance and travelled a
route peculiarly adapted to his purpose.
The exciting night chase terminated
when Carter sought shelter at the ranch
Of Tom Sun, a popular pioneer. He
asked Sun for a fresh horse giving some
unlikely excuse for his night ride. The
ranchman suspected that all was not right
and forced a confession from the fleeing
murderer. MIR. Sun disarmed Carter and
started him for Rawlins in custody of
John Lowe, foreman for Durbin Bros,
and two of his own men.
The disappointed cowboys dispersed in
bad temper. Carter was taken to Raw
Inns and in due time tried. His relatives
employed able counsel, but the testimony
was conclusive. Carter was adiudged
guilty and sentenced to be hanged Aug.
"A last, Governor Moonlight granted a
sixty days reprieve to the condemned man
and the case was carried to the supreme
court of the territory. The Judgment of
the lower court was affirmed in short or
der. Not a solitary palliating circum.
stance could be urged. All agreed that
the murder was premeditated and I'M
provoked.
His fate settled, Carter, who had previ.
ously been hopeful, became d~ispondent,
lost his appetite and Joined the Episcopal
church.
Carter was a giant in physique. He
weighed 100 pounds, was an inch over
six feet in height and splendidly proper