Connecticut western news., 1889-06-19
HUNTING OUTLAWS.

nection with western detective agency l was known to tho employees of the agency, when known at all, as "the out law man." Not that had ever been an outlaw myself, but because was as- signed to the duty of hunting down outlaws and no one else. It is line of work still in existence with several agencies, but it IS one in which few men care to engage, no matter what the salary. It is all right when you arc hunting the outlaw, but vastly different when he turns and hunts you. Had I fully understood what would erequired of me, would not have engaged in the work for any salary the agency could have named, but, once engaged, pride and circumstance kept me bound to the work until imperatively obliged to re- llnguish it.
 For two years previous to my start, a man known as Bill Gibbs had been out lawed in Arkansas. He was robber and murderer, had price set upon his head, and had taken refuge in the Bos- ton Mountains, and from his lair dcfied all authority of law. He was terror to Q large district, and the plan to get rid of him was discussed and arranged like an ordinary business transaction
 "What sum in cash will your agency take to hunt down and kill Bill Gibbs2' was the query.
 "We will do it for -dollars."
 "All right; go ahead"
 When the preliminaries had been ar ranged with the committee, l was called in for orders.
 "You will proceed to Huntsville, Arkansas, and from thence locate Gibbs Do not attempt to take him prisoner. The whole state wants him killed. Take your time and make your own plans, but do not return until you have dis posed of him."
 Inside of five days I was in Hunts vile, but tramped over the country between that town and tho base of the range for week before I secured any definite information regarding Gibbs. Every farmer knew him and almost ev- cry one paid him tribute, but such was the fear of his vengeance that only an occasional person dared admit having seen him. The outlaw was entirely alone, and he had been left unmolested so long that the advantage would be on my side. He was described to me as a man of 40, very powerful and vind:ct. i've, and of a natural bloodthirsty dispo. sition. When he came down out of the mountains he was sure to do some fiend ish thing, although unprovokcd, and among people ready to befriend him. found colored men who had had an ear slashed off by him and half dozen white men who had been shot at or oth. erwise intimidated. It was over two weeks before l got any information o direct value.
 1 then stumbled upon a colored squatter to the southeast of Huntsvi llt and near the foothills, who banned out at a lively rate. I encountered him or Q trail in the woods, and had him GOV cred with my rife before he know 0. ny presence. By threatening and coax ing and bribing I induced hlm to yiel6 up the information was after. Ht was then miles from his cabin and o1 his way to Huntsville to procure sup plies for Gibbs. He had bundle O coon and fox skins, which he was to OK change for coffee, crackers, powder and lead He had been compulsor, agent for year, and such was his fea of the outlaw that when brought th muzzle of my cooked rife down t within foot of his breast and threat ened to fire he walled out:
 "You kin dun kill me, mars whit man, but pze afraid of Mars Gibbs jis dc same!"
 Gibbs was to wait at the colored man cabin until the owners return. ordered him 10 go forward and say noth ing to any living soul about n,eetin, mo, and when he had disappeared started for the cabin. l had no idc that tho outlaw would rsmain h tho hu