Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-11-08
FRONTIER JUSTICE.

Thrilling Erpcricncr Ey Co'r- Roys at til
state Eais--.i Moysc- 1hicf Caught ant
| Tried.
The cowboys gaze an illustration o
the capture and execution OF horse
thief yesterday which was perhaps thu
most successful performance of the
week. This came between the race:
late in the afternoon. Lasso Mac as
sumed the role of horse-thief and showed
aimself to be something of an actor az
cell as daring and skillful rider
; The novelty of the performance was in
creased by the presence of young
lady, Miss Sullivan, of Merriam Park
who participated in the exhibition. She
and Col. Sanders rode off together OIL
horseback across the enclosure within
the race course. and, reaching the side
opposite the grand stand, dismounted
Lasso Mac had followed them at re
spectful distance clear across the
course, and, as soon as they left then
horses, took the one belonging to Miss
Sullivan and galloped off back toward
the grand stand. He had got about
half way across when he was espied by
four cowboys, headed by Rio Grande
Billy, who at once gave chase. Lasso
Mac galloped on oblivious of his pur-
suers until he reached the course in
front Of the grand stand, when he was
suddenly surrounded and ordered to
hold up his hands at the point of re-
volver. One Of the cowboys seized his
horse and the other disarmed him. His
hands were pinioned behind him, while
Rio Grande Billy conducted rude ex-
animation after the custom of the
frontier.
"Where did you get that pony?" he
inquired.
Bought it, slowly and doggedly re-
piled Lasso Mac, after a short silence.
Bought it," did you? Well. j be-
]ieve you stole it. I saw lady and
gentleman riding across the plains a
few minutes ago, and that looks like
the horse the lady was riding. But
wait, here comes the Captain. We will
have full evidence"
The crowd at once turned their at
tention in the direction indicated and
noticed Col Sanders coming down the
course, his horse running at full speed,
and he carrying Miss Sullivan with as
much ease as most men would carry a
riding whip. The crowd had been so
much interested with the dialogue that
they had not noticed this part of the
performance before. The result was
that big cheer went up as the Colonel
rode up with his charge to the rude
Court of Justice Of the plans.
" Is that your horse?' was asked of
Miss Sullivan.
She said yes, and Rio Grande Billy
turned to the hore-thief, who still main
tanned logged silence, and said:
you have heard what the young lady
says. The Governor of Texas has
given us authority to punish horse
thieves. Doyou know what the penalty
is?"
Lasso Mack shook his head.
well, you must either be shot OF
hung. Which do you prefer?'
Not particular, snorted Lasso
Mac.
We'll, if you are not particular, we
will shoot you. Take him off his
pony"
With this two Of the cowboys stepped
up and pulled Mac from his horse,
faced toward the grand stand, and one
of them united his hands. The minute
this was done Lasso Mac turned to Crap
pie with him. Rio Grande Billy firing
at the same Instant. In response to the
pistol shot Lasso Mac sunk to the
ground and died as tragic death as
was ever seen on the stage. His wide
brimmed cowboy hat rolled off, and
his long, straight Indian hair stretched
out i'll the dust, making very realistic
death scene.
He was picked up and thrown across
one of the ponies back behind its rider,
and the party rode of to plant him.
A grave had already been prepared,
into which he was dropped head first
and passed out under fence through
an exit which had been prepared while
his comrades filled up the grave
Minneapolis Tribune
WHO "THIs DUCHESS" rs.
Who is The Duchess?' is u ques-
ton often asked by the thousands who
read the novels Of this remarkably pop
ular writer. And perhaps never has q