The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12

From the San Francisco Examiner.
In the latter part OF 1881 and the early
part OF 1882 a great many horses were
stolen in and about the village OF Planas
Anchas.
All efforts to capture the thief were fu-
tile.
The Rio Grande is within half a dozen
miles OF the little settlement, and bold
rider had only to swim his stolen mounts
across the river TO be comparatively safe
from pursuit.
Col. Yorke's roam colt was the first to
go. He was taken from before Nealon's
saloon in the middle OF the evening, while
his owner was inside taking his first after
dinner toddy.
Bart Hawkins's bay mare was next run
of, while she was feeding in the foothills.
Then followed several minor disasters.
This much Planas Anchas could stand.
The community allowed percentage
yearly for horse stealing, just as importers
allow leakage and breakage in their ship
ments.
They OF course kept their Winchesters
and shotguns loaded and followed the
thieps trail to the edge Of the river, but
nobody considered the matter in very
serious light until Nealon's big black stall
lion, that had made the best time at every
fair in half a dozen counties for three
years and more, was taken.
THE LAST STRAW.
That was felt to be a blow struck at
everyone on the Planas Anchas.
Black Buck had won money for every
man in the camp, and there was not one
of them who would hesitate an instant
before putting his last blanket on q race in
which he ran.
The night after the slallion's disappear
ance there was meeting OF citizens at
Ncalon's.
The bar was free during the meeting
and there was full attendance.
The prevailing impression was that the
men Of the neghboring iowa of San Man
uel had had more 10 do with the disap-
pearance OF the stallion than was neigh
borly.
Various citizens remembered that after
the race in which Black Buck beat tho
San Manuel trotter and almost bank
rupted that town, various heavy losers
had uttered threats against the victorious
stallion.
Frank shannon, the young blacksmith,
remembered that old John Hill, who ran
the faro game at San Manuel. and who
was almost forced TO close his bank be-
cause OF his losses on the race, had offered
bets that Black Buck wouldn't win an
other race in that county.
Then some one else called 10 mind that
Hill had had lots OF money lately, though
il was common talk that the bank had lost
heavily on various recent occasions.
Young shannon, as the prospective SON.
in-law OF the owner OF the missing stallion,
was considered to have family interest in
the matter under discussion. and the fact
that for several months he had lost nearly
every time he had bucked at Old Hills
game was not mentioned.
THE CHARGE TO THE JURY.
When this much was brought out tho
presiding officer set drinks all around and
then presented the case.
His horse-no one thought OF the others
had been stolen, he said, and there was
no doubt in his mind that some one in
San Manuel had stolen IL.
This settled, IL only remained to decide
which particular San AIanuelano was
guilty. This also was soon settled.
Relations with San Manuel had been
unusually strained since Black Buck had
won his last race-not directly because OF
the victory, but more on account Of the
casualties that followed il.
Planas Anchas lost her own faro dealer,
who acted Rs one OF the judges, and San
Manuels Sheriff, who shot him, didn't
live 10 sec the smoke from his pistol blow
away. Consequently there was little travel
between the two towns, aud the only man
from san Manuel who had been seen ut
Planas Anchas for more than day at n
time since the race was Old Hill, who now
on of weeks opened his game at Nealon's,
M the place left by the death OF the Judge
Of the horse mce had never been filed.
The citizens meeting, without n dissent
ing voice, decided that John Hill was the
guilty party They would not, however,
condemn him without fair trial. So they
decided that when he opened his game ut
Nealon's, which would be the next after
noon, lac would he taken prisoner and
tried at once. The punishment, II lac were
convicted, 10 be also decided then.
This calm, II not perfectly fair, plan
would undoubtedly have been carried out
II IL had not been Tor Hill himself
the PROGRAM DpARnANGEp.
The gambler came In on the 3 o'clock
stage. aud. rs usual, Immediately opened
the bank.
A big coybow at once stepped up 10 him
with a cooked six-shootcr ia his hand.
"Gimme your gun, Hill. We're going
20 try you for hoss sealin'."
The two reports rang out almost at the
same moment and both went down.
Hills bullet passed through the COW.
boys breast aud he never got up again.
The cowboys bullet struck the old man
lust where hair and forehead met.
Old llil knew well the feeling toward
San aianuel men in Planas Anchas.
They thought both wero dead, 20 old
Hills body was not filled with bullets.
But the impromptu oonstable's ball only
plowed q fnrrow few inches long In his
head and though he BLEED like an OK, the
wound was not serious. lie was stunned,
however, and before he could further do.
fend himself he was prisoner.
There was no more talk Of trial. Hills
guilt was considered proved.
The old man war marched mile out OF
town and placed under a tree with rope
around his neck.
"Got anything 10 say, prayers Or"
cold Hill kicked his inteflocutor In the
stomach aud la an instant was dangling
ton feet above the ground.
Frank shannon was not one Of the
lynchlng party.
lie had 10 90 10 some outside ranch on