Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-05
BILL HOWARD KILLED.
A NOTED STAGE ROBBER DIES
WITH HIS BOOTS ON.
Thrilling Story of His Escape On a Rainy
Nighs-:Ie Seeks His fathers House
And Falls Into a Trap.

REDDING, CAL, Nov. 4.-Bill Howard,
who, together with Abe Jones. was charged
with robbing d stage between Lakeview
aud Redding October {, and who was also
suspected Of being concerned in the stage
rObDerieS of October ID ana -, was shot and
killed at his fathers house. three miles
from Redding, last night by officers who
had been watching for him.
A week ago to-day Howard, Jones and d
man named Jack Rice were arrested near
Atturos by Detective Thacker. Howard and
Jones were concealed in wagon driven by
man supposed to have brought the men
down from Lake county, Ore, where they
own ranches. The officers accompanying
Thacker at the time of the arrest were
Sheriff Ross, Deputy United States Marshal
earle of Oregon and an officer from Ogden
named Miles The three prisoners travelled
in regular stage, being inside with only
one guard. Jones and Howard had shackles
around their ankles and were fastened to-
gether Rice also had leg irons on. About
$50 p. m. Sunday night the party
stopped about one mile east OF Holcomb
station to water their horses. All of
the prisoners said they were thirsty.
earle, who was guarding them, got out and
taking glass. passed it up for them to
drink. Thacler was at this time in front
of the stage. Ross and Miles were behind
in buggy. Carrie was out of the stage
for about five minutes altogether. 1t was
dark and rainy, and the prisoners improved
these few minutes to slip off their boots
and remove the irons over their feet. earle
stepped back into the stage and the progress
toward Holcomb was resumed. Ten min
utes la,er Jones and Howard suddenly
started up, and one jumped out one
door and the other out of the other
door. Carrie tried to head Jones out could
not, and was afraid that the third man
would get away, so he remained in the
stage to guard Rice and shouted
Justify for help. Several shots
were fired at Jones and Howard, but on &c
count of the darkness no one was hit.
Rice was taken to Redding and placed in
Jail there as accessory after the fact. II
was thought that Howard would make for
his fathers house near Redding, and three
men were placed there in hiding after
Cornelius Howard, the father, had been
arrested and lodged in Jail as an accomplice.
About II O'Clock last night the watchers
heard the clatter of horses hoofs. They
put out the light in the room and waited the
arrival Of the man whom they had rea
son to believe to be Bill Howard They
heard him tie his animal and open the door
to his fathers bedroom, saying Father,
strike light"
He then entered the room and opened the
door leading TO the room where the three
men were waiting. They Ia expected him
they cried out, Hold up your hands,
Instantly, Howard with an oath turned
to close the door. As he turned
three shots rang out. Howard
fell and soon expired. The coroner's
jury eXOnOrated the officers for killing
Howard. Rice, the driver of the team, has
made Il confession, duplicating Howard and
Jones in six sensational robberieS which
occurred lately. The search for Jones will
be continued