The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1892-03-10
A ELGODY Il-5llWAY.
Record OF tho Crimes Committed
on O Kansas Road
A Favorite Resort of Thieves and MUIR
derers Who Plundercd ana
Killed Mt Every OPP

derers who Plundered and
Killed Mt Every OPP
portunity.
Grouse Creek road, in Cowlcy county,
has attained an uncnviable notorlety
during the last few years. 10 the ghost
hunter it would prove q rich field, for
here cqn be found enough horrors to
fully satisfy the most morbid imagina-
ton. A few years ago cattleman,
known ae Dave Bright, was driven in
hack on this road from Arkansas City,
beaten scnscless and robbed of 800.
little further down, at Silverdale rail-
way station, George Blair was shot and
killed while trying to rob the postoihce.
Near where the road crosses Grouse
creek, known as Estus ford, United
States Richard Walker, unaided except
by his Winchester rifle, captured
party of five horse thieves who had
camped there, preparing for raid prior
to a run down into the territory. lie
was more fortunate than the city mar
shall of Coifcyville, who, with posse of
! five men, rode into camp OF three
horse-thioves, near the same spot, and
T
shall was shot down by the leader OF the
thieves, when the posse fired volley,
bringing down the murder. Both men
were carried to q little log schoolhouse
near the creek, where they were ten
derly cared for until both the officer and
the outlaw died few minutes later.
The latter was buried beside the road
md the marshal was carried home to
his mourning family. At Estus ford an
old man named Keith was knocked
from his horse, robbed, bound and
gagged, taken across the creek and
turned loose on the burned prairie to
make his way the best he could, bare
footed, to Arkansas City. In the log
schoolhouse which had sheltered the
murdered officer and his slayer, within
few feet of the grave that could Still
be plainly seen, Tom Armstrong was
captured by the sheriff of Cowlcy
county. Armstrong had shot and killed
James Riley in front of his own store
in Arkansas City, and had fled to the old
rendezvous. Down this trail, or road
many stolen horses had been led across
the river out of reach of danger. SC
numerous had become these thefts that
finally vigilance committee arrested
High Hager, who was suspected OF be
ing one of the gang. They took him ou
to Grouse creek and hanged him from
tree until he was almost dead. III
did not confess, and was finally turned
loose. Only little farther down thu
road horse thief named Tolles was ar
rested after brief battle in which nj
one was injured This time the RICH
man was secured and he is now serving
long term in the penitentiary. 1
short time since John Secley, anothe
man afflicted with :; desire to appropri
ate other Peoples horses, was arreste
and taken to Guthrie. He had takel
shelter in one of the draws immediate
Nv beside the road. Later on comes TIN
, murder Of Lee West, who was shot an
killed lust as he had crossed littl
G bridge over Grouse creek. Farther u
. the creek is an island on which an oil
= man named Tourncr was killed, Will
. eastward in the valley and only shol
;. distance from the road the body of q
a unknown man was found shot throug
the forehead. In the early days tn
q section of the state was said to be tt
y headquarters for horse thieves. On q
4 island formed at the junction of Il
. two rivers was at one time regular
10 fortified camp, where tough gar
I might be found at any time. As Il
q country became settled the lawless ell
- ment sourht shelter down in the rouS
country of Indian territory, but the re
ord of Grouse creek road has become
more bloody one.