Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-01
MART C0PELAND.
WACO ENJOYS THE DISTINCTION
OF HAVING IN JAIL
One of the Most Notorious and Desperate
Horse Thieves in All Texas-A
Bit of His History.
Special TO the Gazette.

SpeCLal INT JaZesle-
Waco, TEX, April Ozone of the mos'
notorious as well as desperate daring, alb
solutely fearless and perseveriug horse
thieves o. Texas is in the county Jail OF this
county at present awaiting transfer 10 the
state penltentlary, there to serve out sew
sral sentences from different courts and
await trials in other courts still. He
IS nc Other tnan the notorious Mart Cope
and, whose standing among professional
:GboerS ranks among the foremost OF the
world
\ few days ago ore of those namer Gus
dispatches announcing the arrest OF
Dunlap, or Of Melton, was re-
ceived by Sheriff Ford. This one
caue from Burnet, ard proclaimed
the arrest tne"e OF Dunlap Deputy Sae'lH
Bur Ee was sent to Burnet TO investigate, and
If as reported to bring back Duniap- Ar
irving in BCrnet, however, the deputy dis
covered that il wls not Dunlap, but Mart
Copeland, ard that he had been tired al
ready Jhere for two cases Of
horse stealing, receiving sentence 81
seven years IN one csse and five in TIE
Other. Deputy Burke arrived OPPORTUNITY.
IN spite Of the fact that L did not prove 10
be Dunlap, Tor Mart Copeland WIS also
wanted here and so badly wanted il
other places that Sheriff Blackwell OF
Van "andt was already there, ana the
sheriff Of Giddings had wired that he
would be or aanc in day or so. Sherit
Burke, however. had : terch warrant for
Copeland, and Copeland was taken &c
Waco.
u wiz be remembered that he was wanted
here lo4 tae theft Of two horses taken from
NJ. + 3. Wilkins ranch. situated some
ten miles &HoTr this city. on the BrazCs.
oa2 Bic, Cummings, MS alleged partner n
mis- esCGprda. IS no." 0rGer $500 bond 10
answer ne same charge hero.
gaRs
he district cOu"t, and was sentenced 70
tit years in Inc penitruriary.
Sheriff BLACKWELL u Van Zandt was pres
eat Ia transport Copeland at the
conclusion et his tria. here 10
Van Z2ndt, bur the next session
Of court in Van IGnd: IL not ned before DC
BE-. ahG the probabilities do not favor the
theory that III" ' an lands Jail could bold
Copeland that long. IN consequence, he
sin b" consigned 70 the state prison until
lie time set ion trial
Copeland : abcu five feet eight inches in
Leigh, somewhat slight in build. las a
Jari. complexion. prominent check bones
and black hal" and eyes. He wears u
Mpustacie, ana the liceneSt set OF eyes 10
lac seen. These are always fixed in
tar,iV upon his companion, restless and
rrce" leaving him. He seems somewhat
shattered II health low. An Get fresh from
he ,,pnd il not more difficult TO keep IL
t..tfi@ 'hIa - Mart Copeland IN custody, "a
he has demonstrated again and again
10 officers OF he law. lie has
been cap.',r'ei repeatedly, and as often has
ne effected his escape He has been
roruo red Dy officers a. different times in
manner seemingly prec;uding the barest
oossi 1ility of flight and yet has eluded them.
He has reached that stage of the game now
Hhen any attempt at cCncealment is futile.
snd Consequently he no longer attempts
such. hut IS cutie frank in relating any of
ais past CScapadcs
His history truly related would discount
he widest ime novel.
Deputy Burke, when he placed Copeland
within the -Tain, SAID to him: well, just
.or the sake of comfort, q! think IL have to
nanGcuff you TO mis- arm OF the seat
Copeland, NThc has very small hands and
needs close-titting handcuf, laughed and. /!
In :, peculiar basSo voice, said: |
= Well, You know your business is
TO keep me if yen can and my business is
10 get away from you if ! cam
The prisoner was retained until the Mis- |
souri,, Kansas and Texas reached Waco only |
by being handcuffod &c the seat, and very |
little mapping was done OIL the way.