Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-08
CHASING TRAIN ROBBERS.
They Would Have Been Captured but for
One Mans Premature Shot.

NIsALIA, CAL, Aug. S.-Sherif Kay and
party, who went in pursuit Of Evans and Son.
tag. the train robbers. have returned. All have
closed mouths end are instructed to keep so.
Under sheriff Hall and four or five others who
left yesterday are still absent. 1t is believed
the HAY party lost the trail. but il il surmised
they came back TO secure pack animals and will
leave again without delay and proceed to camp
on the trail of the robbers.
They brought back to town the mule and cart
SonIag secured OF Ward The outfit was se-
cured in the bed Of Nigger creek. The Kay
party saw nothing of the Fresno posse who are
said TO be stationed higher up the mountains
with the expectation of heading of the rob-
bers.
II is said that the Kay party overlook Evans
and Sontag. and were in less than eighty yards
of them when one young man could not resist
the temptation to take a shot at them. This
spoiled possible capture. the pursued who
seek safe hiding place which was easily found
il the rugged section where they are.
Deputy Sheriff Wittys condition was much
improved today.
Witty saws he was not informed by Smith of
the correct object of Smiths visit TO Evans
but was told that an interview simply was
wanted with Sontag. Had Witty known the
facts he would have gone prepared for an en-
counter. He says he was shot five times. the
first shot hitting him in the neck, which stunned
him and caused his pistol to fall from his hand.
Nothing WAS left then but to fee from his mur-
derous assaiants.
Detective Smith did not jump the fence. as
claimed. but went through the pickets, break
ing through.
1t is generally believed the scratches be
showed were thus obtained. Beaver was
buried yesterday at LeMors, the funeral pro-
cession being one Of the largest ever seen
there,
The evidence at yesterdays inquest developed
the fact that while eating breakfast at Wards
place the train robbers were very watchful
against surprise and kept their guns handy for
use. Sontag was very lame and tired.
Dolan corroborated Wards testimony with
the exception that he said Sontag told him that
he shot Beaver. John March, q stockraiser,
testified that last Monday he saw Evans and two
other men on Niger creek. One man was
named Young, the other he did not know. John
Sontag was not with the party. March then
identified Geo. Sontag rs the man Of the party
he did not know. The men were on horseback
and had -four sacks on the horns Of their saddles
filed with something.
March's testimony is considered An important
link in showing that these men were on their
way to rob the train.
to his death from gunshot wound inficted1y
Chris. Evans and John Sontag.
SREEDLY, CAL, Aug. ga messenger has re-
turned from Sampson Flat,o on Pine Ridge, thirty
i've miles nortS OF Reedly, where Chris. Evans,
the train robber, has . mining claim, the point
the robbers arc supposed to be headed for Il
is believed the robbers are in the mountains.
Three men riding horses were seen 1T o distance
in the vicinity OF Sampson Fiat. One IL mid TO
answer the description of Evans
People throughout the foot hills and moun-
tains are thoroughly aroused. All are on the
lookout. Roads and trails are lined with men
armed with revolvers, shotguns, riAes and
knives. large posse Of deputies and ofBcers
ID stationed at Smith and Moors's mills. four
miles from sempeon Fiat Othss are securing
the country In al directions
II = reported here that the robbers shot and
hned another officer. making their fourth
victim. No details can Be learned. A camp
has been Discovered near Monsoon, who're he
sheriff and ten men were within four uiiea-
The mounta&neers ~ it win be almosS impos-
sible TO capture the robbsrs II once thsy rsaeA
thsdr cid haun6 a$ eampsoa IlaA