Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-20
A BATTLE WITH BOOMERS.
Thirty of Them Captured After Fight
in Which Many Were Wounded.

PURCELL, |. T., April 20.-There was a sharu
battle near here yesterday between L. S. ofi-
GERS and boomers, and thirty boomers were
taken prisoners. Seven of them were severely
wounded, and one deputy marshal slightly
| hurt For several days men on horseback and
in wagons have been seen fording the South
Canadian north of Purcell and disappearing in
the timber to the eastward. Hunters also re-
ported having seen large bodies of boomers
moving in northeasterly direction, and one
man was reported plowing in a secluded valley
about twenty miles from Purcell. Yesterday
morning, early, three prairie schooners crossed
the Santa Fe tracks below the city and forded
the river. The feeling against the trespassers
ran high, and the United States authorities were
CALLED UPON TO ExPEL THE RAIDERS.
Accordingly the chief deputy, accompanied
by thirteen assistants, started on their trail.
About miles out party of four wagons and
five men was overhauled and started ON the
back track. Several miles further on the
party was fired upon by concealed boomers and
a pony killed. The deputies charged the
thicket but found no one. Advancing short
distance further into ravine they discovered
rough barricade of logs and brush and were
GREETED By voLLEY OF BULLETS.
Only one of the deputies was hit however,
and he not seriously hurt. 1t was evident the
barricade was heavily manned and that a direct
assault would prove disastrous. Finally the
deputies divided their forces and fanked the
boomers, gaining positions where they could
FIRE into the barricade. At signal they opened
fire. After ten minutes heavy firing
CRY FOR QUARTER
went up from the boomers and the firing
ceased. A hasty advance to the fort and the
officers were in charge Of thirty prisoners, some
of whom were severely wounded Two of
these, Thomas Mullins and David Winship.
will probably die. Mullins has a bullet in his
left lung and Winship one i'm his abdomen
Martin Fallon. of Gainesville, received ball
in his left thigh. Samuel Dodd of North Caro-
lima, has deep cash in his forehead. Edward
Frabishey, of Texas. suffers a shattered arm
John Young, OF Louisiana, is shot through the
shoulder.
HAD THEIR CLAIMS SELECTED.
The prisoners, all of whom had rifles and re-
volvers and plenty of ammunition, were Sc
cured, the wounded were cared for as well as
possible under the circumstances. and the
march to Purcell was taken up. The wagons
and personal property of the boomers were
an DESTROYED The gang were all south
erners, mostly from Texas, and presented a
forlorn appearance. Their captain, Edward
Mcintosh, said he had been concealed in a
rayine for three days, and that the party was
only the advance guard of body of more than
4oe who, through agents sent ahead, had Sc
lected their claims and proposed to hold them
with Winchesters against ali corners.
A detachment of the fifth cavalry is expected
here to-day, and it will probably result in the
discovery of many other outfits which are still
across tine river.
AN ATTEMPr AT RESCUE FEARED.
Late last night it was reported large num-
Der Of Texans, who have encamped on the
Wichita river. are on their way to Purcell
This causes the fear that they will attempt to
rescue the prisoners, and bloody conflict viii
follow.