, 1890-10-08

taken, and perhaps other property. L
make a hurried examination, verifying
the sergeant's report. About 10 O'Clock
the same day l left with the regiment on
the practice march, r~eturningt to the post
Sept. s. The command was paid Sept
~. Between that date aud Sept is my
first sergeant brought to me Corp, Parki-
son, saying the latter had some informa.
ton and desired to make a Statement
This was substantially that he was return
ing to the post from Cheyenne one dark
night not far back and sat on the railway
track resting. While here he heard a
party coming from town. They talked
of revolvers. Parkinson concealed himself
in the ditch and listened. The others
stopped near him and a conversation en-
sued. From what he could gather they
talked of the stolen revolvers and mem
toned Corp. Lyon. Priyates Powers.
Dryer, Mcdonald and Baker. Lyon and
Baker, Parkison thought, we're two OF the
men he heard They spoke Of resurrect-
ing the buried revolvers. Parkison fol-
lowed them. Beyond the post near the
Schalk ranch the men halted and began
digging. Parkison had his revolver along
but no cartridges, and for this reason re-
tired. Later be retured, found the party gone
an empty hole and part OF an old quilt.
10 the talk overheard by the corporal the
men were planning to desert after the
next pay day, 90 into the mountains and
become highwaymen.
Lieut.. Roach asked Parkison if he was
willing to repeat his statement TO the
commanding officer and he expressed will
irgness to do so. Parkison was irritated
but showed no liquor symptoms. He
went with Lieut.. Roach to Gen, MINERS
Office and told the story.
While Parkison was relating the cir
cumstances Of the'strange night meeting,
of bis adventure and OF the plot to desert.
be tainted dead away. dropping like a log.
During the practice march Lieut.. Roach
was on the blind trail of the revolvers,
putting on his staff old men whom he
could trust. In this manner he enlisted
the sergeant who secured Parkison's
confession.
On Friday. the day after the murder,
Private Thornburg came to the lieutenant
with a statement. he said that when
Parkison returned from a leave in August
he asked Thornburg if he wouldn't like
to go up in the mountains. Parkison
said they could hunt and live in a saw-miIl
and round up enough wild cattle to make
a herd. Thornburg inquired if it was to
be a regular outlaw or bandit project.
The answer was that lots Of money could
be made and no danger of punishment.
Thornburg SAYS he laughed at this. Pnt-
vate Baker came up at this juncture and
Thornburg walked away. but soon re-
turned to the two. Baker then asked
T~hornburg if he wasn't going to
the mountains with them. Thornburg
said he was not. In a day
or two Parkison walked Thornburg down
to the bridge and said he,lLyons, MELON
aid. Baker and one or two others in
tended taking their guns and fleeing to
the snow capped mountains" Thorn
burg declared against the enterprise.
Parkison said they were handles when
they caught him." A few days after
this. before the company consultations,
the chief plotter said he and his pals were
gong to capture K company's six revolt
vers aud a lot Of ammunition. The night
the six-shooters were stolen Thornburg
was on guard with Parkison. Next morn
ing some one came to the guard house
and spoke of the robbery. .Parkison
threw a big wink, crafty and full of mean
ing, at Thornburg. After guard relief
Thornburg and Parkison went to quarters
together and put away their rifles. In a
few minutes Baker and Parkison went
away together. On the evening OF Sept.
/, Parkison, Baker, Mcdonald and Corpl.
Lyons were sitting on the porch of the
quartermaster' storehouse near the rail
way when Thornburg came along and
joined them and jokingly asked if they
were holding a camp meeting. Thorn
burG's presence had a depressing effect on
the crowd and he retired. A day or two
after Thornburg was again urged to Join
the deserters. Baker told him they had
a paper which each signed and which
lone would dare violate, as dead men
told no tales" Baker offered to produce
the contract, saying that Corpl. Lyon had
it, but T~hornburg was firm. According
to Baker they had revolyers and much
desired to possess themselves of cart
ridges.
Parkisou told Thornburg that the gang
was out one evening practicing with the
revolvers and after the pay day of Sept.
IL would make a raid on the canteen, get
into the safe, il possible; then take horses
and mules and skip to the mountains.
After this Baker told Thoruburg that the
party met according to programme, but
that Parkison weakened, failing to appear.
The gang threatened Thornburg alter de-
s~pairing Of his cooperation, telling him if
he talked he would be killed.
Last Sunday morning, the day of
Bakers funeral, Private Pence said to
Lieut.. Roach that he could tell where the
revolvers were, that on the previous Sum
day Baker had told him about them.
Here follows the remainder of Pence's
story as told to the coroner's jury.