The morning call., 1892-09-15

OF these thugs until the last company OF
Rangers was disbanded, he gave them no
rest for the soles of their fest. When the
trali OF criminal was struck ii was fol-
lowed, lead where 1t may-into the rocky
businesses OF the Sierra Madre In Sonora
and Chihuahua, or over the sandy wastes Of
New Mexico and Arizona
1here were neither State nor interns-
tlonai boundaries recognized by Bayior's
men; nor did the statutes of tn 9 locality in
Wnlcn the criminal was caught cut any fg-
ure In the final result. which was death,
speedy and certain.
And with these men rode youag Wilson,
a Ney among the brayest, taking his life i'm
his hand from day to day, as unhesitatingly
as he bestrOde his horse or put fresh
cartridges into his Winchester. With the
rangers ne quickly rose TO lieutenancy.
with the disbandment of his company In
1878, returning to work In 1878. Wilson was
employed by the Missouri Pacific, Texas and
81. Louis and Southern Pacific railroads "a
baggage-master, brakeman and conductor,
holding tie last position at time when a
man ablllty TO protect his train by his
grace and dexterity with a six-shooter cut
more OF figure than his skill in handling
punch or pulling belrope.
IL was while acting in this capacity that
wilson appTehended on his train Polk, the
defaultlng treasurer Of the State of Ten
pessee, who was fleeing to Mexico with tina
stolen plunder. Finding himself known
Polk offered Wilson any portion or all of
the money. amounting to many thousands
of dollars. il he would permit him to escape.
To this proposition be made the curt rspIy
that after he had been hunting and killing
thieves for five years, his conscience would
not permit him 10 turn thief himself on such
short notice.
la 1885, when President Cleveland ap-
pointed him chief OF mounted Custom
house inspectors, which latter position he
held for four years; his headquarters were
at Tombstone. Ariz., and it was his duty 20
guard the line from FL Paso to Nogales-
several hundred mles-against smugglers.
This duty he fulfilled with the same ability
that had ever characterized him in the line
of official duty. During his administration
smuggling became almost a lost art and
Vic Wilson the best-cursed gringO from
Palomlnas to Bavispe
While in Tombstone the handsome young
collector wooed and won Miss Minnie.
daughter of John Knapp. at one time
prominent resident OF Chico, in this State.
Ire fruit OF the union is one boy about
years old. The mother and child are now
In Tombstone.
After retiring from the Government
service "Vic" started out to become q
farmer and tried to settle on q piece OF
land near Tombstone. Arz, but life on a
farm was too nlon0tonous and quiet for
man Of his active temperament, aud in 1890
he was glad to receive the appointment of
special agent for the Southern Pacific Com
pany In Arizona and New Mexico, posi-
ton which he held to the time of his death.
After the Coils train-robbers had escaped
into the mountains and their capture began
to look very doubtful the company ordered
Wilson and other trusted men in its employ
to take part in the pursuit which cost nina
his life.
VIC Wilson was extremely popular
among bis many acquaintances and greatly
respected by his employers.