Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-08-02
HUNTING OUTLAWS.
Chambers Journal.

For the first three years of my con-
ncction with western detective agency
was known to tho employees of the
agency, when known at all, rs "thc
outlaw man." Not that had ever been
an outlaw myself, but because I was as
signed to the duty of hunting down
outlaws and no one else. 1t is n 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. 1t is all right when you are
hunting the outlaw, but vastly different
when Inc turns and hunts you. Had |
fully understood whit would be required
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 impcrativcly obliged to re-
anguish it.
For two years previous to my start, II
man known rs Bill Gibbs had been out :
lawcd in Arkansas. He was robbcr
mud murderer, had price set upon his
head, and had taken refuge in the Bos-
ton Mountains, and from his lair dcficd
all authority of law. He was terror
to large district, and the plan to get
rid of him was discussed and arranged
like IN ordinary business transaction.
"What sum in cash will your agency
take to hunt down and kill Bill Gibbs2"
was he query.
awe will do it for - dollars"
"All right; go ahead"
When the prcliminarics had been mr.
ranged with the committee, l was called
in for orders.
"Iou 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 l was in Hunts
vile, but trampcd over the country
between that town and the base of tho
range for week before 1 secured any
definite information regarding Gibbs.
Every farmer knew him and almost cy
cry one pnid him tribute, but such was
tho fear Of his vengeance that only an
occasional person dared admit having
seen him. The outlaw was entirely
alone, and he had been left unmolcstcd
so long that the advantage would be on
my side. lie was described TO me rs n
man OF 40, very powerful and vindct-
i've, and of natural bloodthirsty dispo-
sitlon. When he came down out of Tie
mountains he was sure to do some fiend
ish thing, although unprovoked, and
among people ready to bcfriend him.
found colorci men who had had an
car slashed off by him and half dozen
white men who had been shot at or tn
~ "iSS "'i"'idtcu. IL was over Two
weeks before got any information of
direct value.
1 then stumbled upon colorcd
squatter to the southeast of Huntsvi lie
and near the foothills, who PANIED out
at lively rate. 1 encountered him on
trail in the woods, and had him COW
cred with my rifle before he knew of
my presence. BY threatening and coax
ing and bribing induced him to weld
up the information l was after. Io
was then miles from his cabin and on
his way TO Huntsville to procure sun.
plies for Gibbs. He had bundle OF
coon and fox skins, which he was TO OK.
change for coffee, crackers, powder
and lead. He had been compulsory
agent for year, and such was his fcal
oil the outlaw that when brought thu
muzzle OF my cocked rifle down t.
within foot of his breast and threat
ened to fire he walled out:
"You kin dun kill me, mars whit,
man, but Ize afraid of Mars Gibbs lis
do samei"
Gibbs was to wait at the colored man
cabin until the owners return.
ordered him to go forward and say moth
ing to any living soul about meetin,
me- and when he had disappeared
started for the cabin. I had no idc
that the outlaw would remain in the hui
or close to it. While ho probab
trusted the colorcd man rs much as Ii
trusted any human being, his outla,
life would render him suspicious @
everybody, and he would take no chance,