The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-20
SOME DESPERATE DUELS.
= DARING sHERIFFS ADVENTURES
IN EARLY CALIFORNIA DAYS.

A Young Man of 20 Who Made Him
self q Terror TO Banded Outlaws
The story of His Encounters with
Narato Ponce and Juan Soto-Close
Quarters in the Darkness.
From the Overland Monthly.
A history of brigandage in California for
the thirty years Immediately following
| American occupation would reveal the fact
that large percentage of what may be
called outdoor crimes, such as horse steal
and highway robbery, have been commit
ted by the class known as native Califor-
mans or Mexicans Murder has frequently
been added to this list and from the numer-
GUS names showing Spanish origin which
cucumber the criminal records of such
| counties as Alameda, San joaquin, and
| Santa Clara, might be selected score or
| more which, at one time, were borne by as
desperate a lot of outlaws as ever infested
| civilized community. The reign of these
desperadoes might be described as extend
ing from the time of Joaquin Nurrietta,
who operated between the years 1850 and
1850, up to tie death Of Tiburcio Vasquez
on the scaffold at Santa Clara county, in
March, 1875.
state VINO have distinguished themselves IN
their efforts to exterminate these lawless
characters, stands the name of Harry n.
Morse, who served as sheriff Of Alameda
county for the fourteen years ex ending
from 1864 to 1873. Although but % years
| OF age when he assumed the duties of his
office, it was evident from the very first
| that he possessed the rare combination of
qualities that fitted him for his dangerous
work, and which have since earned for
him fame as n detective. At the time of
entering upon his duties as sheriff the en-
tire eastern and southern portions of Ala
media county were Overrun by MexiCanS,
horse thieves, highwaymen, and cutthroats
OF the most reckless and formidable char
acter, aud they carried on the most high
handed outrages without let or hindrance
No one dared to modest them, and it was
almost CIR alu death for a white man to
venture among them.
The new sheriff fully realized the respon-
sibility that was on his shoulders, but being
man Of many resources, ne went quietly
and Systematically about the task tt at was
before him. 1t was first necessary to fami-
iarize himself with the launts of the ont
law aud the general topog Apply of the
country over which they roamed. This he
did il the most thorough manner. Day
after day. for months at time, he rode up
and down the country, studying the ravines
and canyons, posting himself as to the loca-
ton Of ranches, springs, and mountain
trails, and acquainting himself with the
inhabitants and their occupations He
learned the names, ths histories, and the
haunts of all the noted criminals that crossed
his jurisdiction, became familiar with their
personal characteristics, and knew them all
by sight.
The outlaws, in.the meantime, viewed his
operations with contempt. What had they
10 nrJl hpu
went quietly in and out among them with
his pale face and gentle mannerl But they
did not know the iron-like temper that slept
beneath the calm exterior of the new sheriff.
When his plans for action were all laid and
he felt the ground secure beneath him, there
was a surprising change in his demeanor.
He suddenly grew aggressive. One by one
he began to swoop down upon the outlaws,
he nipped them in the most unexpected
places and at most unexpected times. He
appeared suddenly in tne very midst of
their camps and fandangos, often alone
and single-handed, and snatched his man
with unerring certainty from un der the
very noses of his companions. The audacity
of tho man and the rapidity of his move
ments bewildered the outlaws.
CLOSE WORK WITH A NOTORIOUS OUTLAW.
The encounter, in 1868, between Morse
| and Narato Ponce, notorious murderer
and horse thief of that time, is thus detailed
| by one of the journals of the day:
ION Nov. 3. 1868, party of men,
| among whom was Ponce and an inoffensive
man named JOY, were playing cards in a
saloon at Haywards. Ponce quarre led
with Joy, left the room, and procuring a
six-shooter, returned, and walking up to
I JOY, deliberately shot him through the
heart. Ponce walked up to the bar, took
drink, aud courteously asked tho other
| tod
! Not man dared to move until hall an
hour after the villain had left.
| Morse was informed early ne xt morn
| ing, and at once began vigorous pursuit,
watching for him night after night at places
| be was wont to frequent, but without sue
cess, until some weeks after the murder he
| learned that the outlaw was at n hiding
place in the Black Hills. Ascertaining that
on certain night Ponce would leave his
retreat aid endeavor to reach the lower
country, he formed plan to capture him
at a point where he would have to pass
between two long stacks of straw. A dep
uty sheriff was posted at the end of the
stack which the outlaw was expected
| to approach first, carefully concealed
while Morse stationed himself at the oppo-
site end and behind the stacks. For some
unexplained reason the outlaw approached
the spot from the opposite direction to that
expected, which change in the programme
left Morse in view. The Inter, however
discovered the approach of his man not
withstanding the darkness, and throwing
himself TO the ground. rolled rapidly over
aud over until he reached the middle Of
the road. Allowing the outlaw to come on
until his horse was nearly upon MIN, the
sheriff sprang suddenly to his feet, and
presenting his rifle ordered him to surren-
der.
TAKING AIM BY PISTOL FLASHES.
Ponce instantly drew his revolver and
opened fire, which was promptly returned
but the darkness was so grolt that in the
exciting duel that ensued each combatant
was guided in his aim by the flash only Of the
others weapon. Made aware of the stua-
ton by the reports, the deputy came swiftly
TO the support of Morse and began firing.
At length the outlaws horse fell, shot
through the thigh, and Pouco contrived to
run off and escape in the darkness Morse
set fire to the stacks, AID the flames illumi-
mated the country for miles around, but re-
vealed no trace of the fugitive. Soon after
daylight traces of blood Wcre discovered,
aud q coat was found on the gtotidd satd-
rated with the same. 4 few rods further on
the outlaws boots were dncpvercd, but he
had escaped, and search vas abandoned
six weeks later Morse was informed
that Ponce was in Contra Costa courty
Morse was accompanied by Deputy Sheriff
Swain Of Contra Costa county aud Officer