The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-09-16
DESPERATE ROBBERS.
Attempts to Capture Evans and
Sontag Results in Another
Bloody Tragedy.
Three Men Killed and One Badly
Wounded by the Fugitive
Train Robbers.
The Bandits Escape Unhurt
Followed by a Posse Of En-
ragged Citizens.

| hunting expedition of Tulare and Fresno
counties, after the fugitive train robbers
Evans and Sontag, which cost one life
at the outset, reached q bloody climax
during the day, when three men were
killed and one badly wounded by the
desperate bandits 1t will be remem-
bered that Chris Evans and John and
George Sontag robbed the Southern Pa.
cific train near Coils, Fresno county,
obtaining $40, 900 In gold and silver coin.
Three days later the detectives secured
clues that led them to Evans house in
Visalia, though they did not then sus-
pect Evans. Their evidence pointed to
the two Sontags, who had just come
from Mankato, MINI. George Sontag
was secured by stratagem, but when the
officers went to the house to get his
trunk Evans and John Sontag opened
fire and drove them away, badly wound
ing Deputy Witty. Then followed one
of the
Most Remarkable Chases on Record.
The robbers actually returned to their
own house late at night and being sur
prised killed young Oscar Beaver who
was on guard. They escaped to the
mountains and though they have been
seen since at several places there has
been no fight with them until now
Sunday, Sept. 4, they stole horse and
buggy from Supervisor Ellis who lives
near Visalia. Last Sunday the robbers
narrowly escaped capture by posse
headed by an Arizona railroad detective
named Wick Wilson, who has been on
their trail for two weeks. Wilson came
upon little camp in secluded part of
Kings river and was amazed to find the
buggy robes and blankets stolen from
Ellis week before. This place is forty
miles from Visalia. 1t was evident
that the
Robbers Heard the Posse Coming,
but had no time to remove traces of
their presence. OF course these discov-
cries greatly stimulated Wilson's party
and they felt sure of the $4,000 reward
offered for the bandits. Wilson and his
linen were accompanied by two Apache
scouts who had tracked Evans and Son
tag to Sansome's Fiat. Just as the party
arrived in front Of Rancher Young's
house, the door was thrown open and
Evans and Sontag appeared with shot
guns on their shoulders. They delivered
broadside from both barrels before the
officers could draw weapons. Then the
bandits seized Winchesters and con-
tinued to fire into the posse. The Apache
scouts jumped behind stones before the
firing began and escaped unhurt. At
the first fire Vic Wilson, the leader,
United States Marshal McGinnis, of
Modesto, and Dickelson fell dead from
their saddles,
RiddIed with Buckshot.
A. L. Witty, brother of the deputy, who
was so badly wounded by Evans in vi
salia, was severely wounded and the
horse of Constable Warren Hill was
shot from under him. The news came
in by telephone and the operator said
that after the killing Sontag and Evans
seized the horses OF the muruered Ulcers
and escaped, no che daring to MODEST
them. The news Of the engagement
created great excitement and posse
left at once for Sansome's Flat headed
by Sheriffs Kay and Viau and Deputy
Picky. People in Sansome's Fiat and
vicinity are greatly excited over the
news and are agreed to help the officers
shoot the bandits on sight Wilson,
who was shot down in this cowardly
way, was one of the best trailers Of
criminals on this coast.