Omaha daily bee., 1892-04-13
LIKE RATS IN 4 TRAP.


After Killing Two Men the Cattlcmcn Are
tcmmcd In in a Ranch building.
DENVER, Colo, April IA Buffalo, Wyo.,
special to tho Times says The first full
particulars Of the fight at the 4 4 ranch
have just been received Tho tirst nforma-
ton in Buffalo of the intended invasion by
the cattlemcn was report received by mail
from Douglas to Sheriff Angus of Johnston
county saving that a special train of armed
and mounted men had passed through Doug
las towards Casper
This information was soon current among
tho rustlers and small cattlemen, but they
had little time TO prepare to defend them
selves, for the cattlemen arrived soon after
the letter and commenced operations at onco
by attacking what is known as tho X c
ranch, iu which men suspected OF being rust
lers were living.
Early on tho morning OF tho 10th ranch
man named Smithy living on the north fork
of tho Powder river heard firing at that
ranch. Ho rode rapidly in that direction
und discovered that the cattlemen had the
house surrounded and that a desperate fight
was going on between them and the inmates
Dead in the Ruins of Their Ranch.
He at once rode to Crazy Woman and
started q half dozen men to the rescue, after
which no got fresh horse and came 10 Buf-
falo. Here he informed Sheriff Angus of the
fight and the latter Immediately gathered a
posse and started for the X ranch, where
tho battle had been fought, arriving there
about daylight on the llth. The cattlenen
had, however, done their work and left for
when the roscuing party reached the * q
ranch they found the house burned and the
dead bodies of inmates, who were discovered
TO be Nate Champion and Dick Roy, half
burned in the ruins.
On Sunday eve, while tho fight was in pro-
gress, Jack Flagg, whose name is notorious
on account of his being a leading rustler,
drove up to the x c ranch. lie had been
elected a delegate to the democratic state
convention, and was on his way to Chey-
eune, intending to stop at tho ranch all
night Nearing the building he saw several
mounted men about, but supposed they were
friendly cow party, and when they sud
denly ordered him TO throw up his hands he
ioSingly replied: "Go TO hi" In reply one
OF the party leve!led rife a, him and n
bullet sped past his head.
F'lagg had q rifle in his wagon but had no
arms on his person Sprnging to his wagon
he grasped his rifle and kept the party at
bay, while boy who accompanied him cut
the traces attaching the horses to the wagon
Then the two leaped on the horses and fled
safely through the fusllade, being followed
a considerable way, until they reached Har-
us ranch on Crazy Woman and started
north, joining the sherfr's posse from Buff
falo. None of the attacking party " ere in
jurcl.
Hemmcd In by the Rustlors.
After Flagg escaped the cattlemen fired
his wagon, and running IL against the house
| in Indian fashion set fire TO tho building and
burned up the two men, Champion and Ray,
who had fought them all day. The cattle
| men then went toward Buffalo and the rust
lers organized anu went forth to meet them.
Tho cattlemen learned of tho rustlers COM
| ing and took shelter at the II a ranch, thr-
| teen miles from Buffalo. About . o'clock
| Monday morning the rustlers reached the
ranch and surrounded tho place and at day
| light the latter opened fire upon their be
| slcgers.
Shots were exchanged ali day long, but the
number of killed and injured cannot al pres
| cnt be learned. The cattlemen with then
| horses are safely barricaded inside the ranch
| building, and this morning one Of their num-
| Der escaped through the circle of the attack
ing party, presumably on his way for rein
| forcements.
| The result Of today's (Tuesday's) work al
| the Il A ranch Is yet unknown.
| Yesterday man giving his name as Gus
| Green was brought to Buffalo badly wounded
claiming that he had accidentally shot him
self but he is thought to be one Of the cat
| tlemen's party who participated in the X
ranch fight
Couriers are securing the country for rein
forcements for the rustlers and they are
rapidly coming in They claim they will ot
200 or 300 stronger tonight and able 10 handle
any force the Invaders can muster.
The acting mayor CT Buffalo has called OF
the governor for permission TO give the aiC
OF the state militia at Buffalo 20 the sherf
to help quell the disturbance.
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