Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-08-29

LONG Jim F~arnsw0rth, from Colorado,
had ridden up to his store ON the after
noon preceding the robbery and had
each purchased a red handkerchief, and
he could further swear that the handker-
chief before him was one of the number
he had sold.
a consultation was Immediately held,
and IL was agreed that from the place
where the handkerchief was found the
robbers must have doubled on their
tracks and taken the route to Texas. In
spite of the fact that the four desperadoes
were well known. and should they be
caught up with a desperate fight was in
evitaBe. a party was quickly formed to
pursue them and effect their capture.
The twenty vigilantes had dwindled
down to ten when the start was made
the next morning, but those ten were all
men Of tried courage and endurance.
and if they once struck the trail no one
doubted that they would stick TO it until
they had accomplished their purpose.
For four days the ten men rode south
without getting ON the track Of the rob
bers. Some Of them knew the country
well, and they were assured the fugi-
lives would be obliged to stop at certain
points where water could be found.
Their surmises proved correct, because
on the morning Of the fifth day the re-
mains Of a camp fire was discovered
near a spring Of water, and the hoof
marks Of the horses showed that the
party who had camped there was COM
posed of four men.
On the evening of the seventh day,
Just as the yigilantes rode over the crest
of a rolling hill, they came suddenly
upon the men they were in search of.
It was evident that the robbers had
given up all idea Of being pursued. They
had built a fire, and around it the fortns
of three mel were lying. willie at a lit
tie distance a fourth was preparing a
supper.
The two parties saw each other at the
same moment. There was no necessity
for any talk. Each knew the others OBJ
iect, and the robbers were as determined
to resist capture as the %vigilantes were TO
carry out the purpose Which had brought
them so far.
A voice from tho crest Of the hin called
for a surrender, but the only answer was
a derisive laugh. and without moving
from his recumbent attitude, Long Jim
Farnsworth sent a bullet into the midst
of the party, which einptied II saddle
and warned the yigilantes of their danger.
Immediately they spread out and poured
a volley into the four men, who were by
that time standing with their repeating
rifles waiting for 4 charge.
After five minutes of continued shoot
ing the air became heavy and i%mpenetra-
Die with smoke. and by mutual consent
the firing ceased to allow the air TO clear
itself. When IL became clear enough to
see again, only two of the train robbers
we're on their feet. and each of thctn
seemed to bc suffering from some griev-
GUS wound. They still had their faces
to the enemy, however, and when callel
on TO surrender they only laughed ant
told the yigilantes TO come n
The work the robbers had accomplish
ed was visible, because four riderles'
horses were dashing about and on th,
s~al'nd las four motiouless figures.
A few moments and the fight was re
newed, and this time there was no stop
ping. Again and again the rifles crackel
until they were empty, and the music o
the revolver replaced the rifle. Suddenl.
the noise ceased. Numbers had gotte
the victory for the vigilantes, but thei
loss had been immense. Oaly tire.
men reached the campfire, around whic
} / Al, f.tav l..1tnr larf .,lsra.r g.,sf.ltfnrr -.a1
! other.
D As the victors turned the bodies Of th
0 robbers pver a groan escaped from Lon
r jim Farnsworth, and it was seen tina
e some life remained in him yet. Slow
his glazing eyes opened, and slowl
raising his left arm he beckoned Il G
S the v~igiiantes TO his side.
I With trembling lips he whispered Oh,
s the treasure had been cached. and d
would locate the spot If the vigiiant
would bend over him. Without hesit,
ton, his request was complied with. an
o then with unlocked for energy, the dy
y ing Desperate suddenly drew his rigi
arm from under him and plunged a loa
knife into the heart of his enemy. Wit
/ a half smothered laugh lis limbs sti
fened out and he died.
y Twelve graves mark the spot whcl
d the fight occurred. but not M cent
e the money taken from the train was II
a covered, although it WIS diligenll
n sought fer by the only two survivors G
q the ten men who went 90 capture Farm.
y worth and his gang.-Atlmta Constitt
u ton.