Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-02-02
DIED WITH HER BOOTS ON.

A Horse Thief That Proved to Be Hand
some Young Girl
In the first days of Leadville wagons
formed the only means of transportation
for the immense quantity of merchan-
disc needed there and for the shipment
of the large output of ore and bullion.
AS consequence horses and mules were
used in large numbers. Trains of freight
wagons lined the roads leading to the
great carbonate camp. and it frequently
became necessary to turn the stock out
after hard days journey to Craze on
the adjoining bill sides. Leadville of
fered a good market for work stock of
all kinds, as animals brought from the
east frequently succumbed to the eli
matte effect of a high altitude and heavy
work. Many a freighter reached the
top of hard pull only to see his best
work mule lie down and die in the har-
ness. Such Inducements and easy sale
brought professional horse thieves in
abundance. The immunity from pun
ishment that they seemed to enjoy and
high prices paid for their plumber stimu-
lated them to constant activity and
made them bold in their profession. Sa-
guache county, Colo, was a favoEite
section for the operations of this fratsr-
nifty. these gentlemen making their trips
with almost the regularity of stage
coaches.
After an unusually bold raid party
was organized, determined to follow the
trail and overtake the thieves, and If the
depredators were caught to save all
county expenses in the way of sheriff
fees and trials The party started early
in the morning, and as the trail was
large and hot they were able to follow it
almost at gallop. Following along the
west side of the San Luis valley and then
through defile of the Sangre de Christie
mountains, the course of the pursuers
and pursued emerged into the Arkansas
valley, close to where the South Arkan-
sas flows into the main stream. Here it
was evident that the two parties could
only be a short distance apart. The rob
bers had taken more stock than they
could easily handle, and did not seem TO
be aware that they were being followed
Two of the stockmen from the ranches
on the route joined the vigiiantes and
furnished fresh horses. About noon on
the following day the thieves with the
stolen stock were discovered carnped az
the north Of Cottonwood creek. There
were bat two. One appeared to be a
young boy not over 10; the other was
fine looking young man Of perhaps 20 or
% years of age. On being called On 10
surrender the boy pulled six shooter
ard fred on the vigilantes. Ar the came
time be and his companion jumped down |
behind the bank Of the river. from which |
place it was found impossible to dissodze |
them without the loss Of AZ least three or /
four men
After buried council Of war. il vas
decided for two men TO 70 down tine
river. cross over and come up On the other
sade to point where the fugitives ooaid
De- easily covered, and the balance % pre-
vent sneir escape from the position they
we're IN. THIS was done, and when the
thieves were again summoned 10 surren-
der. they simply TUNED AID commenced
iring az their tao puTsoers or the oppo
ate side CT tie rIver. The FIRE was re-
.urned, and resulted in the boy dropping
lead with a broksn neck, ard bis com
canton falling with a baisst through The
ungs. When the vlgilznte= went - where
hey lay the esder Wa stsll awe. and the
BOY was, of-couse, dead AID proved to b.
lovely yosng ssEl, wI.A DELICATE and 20
iued features Ts. ere who could Sill
ak refused 70 tel who Trey were or
ron whence they came, og.iy too: sh~Ir
'.eopi. were respectable. zEd that he d.
iry-d tiszn to remove hisbooes, IA he C!i4
los wish 70 de with his oooss oa. Tie
gas eri5sztiy a man % good e3uc1.soa.
Ut positively refassd 30 give any inior-
a4tloa. In fesv hoGss he also ~zs
lead. ard tee two were 5ursed b>aeath
ne cossonwcoas near ts@ riwe- haax
sAelr iSsarssy vas never d.scevexs1--