, 1892-02-07
In THE EARLY DAYS.
Graphic Description of the Work of
a Rawlins Committee.
The Peace and Good Order of the
City Established.
Lynch Law Ended the Misdoings of
a Notorious Gang.


any OF our frontier towns could boast of,
even 10 their palmiest days. They were
domiciled in an old dilapidated shack
on the south side of the railroad track
that in TO and 80 formed a part Of a
dance hall run by John Gordon, but at
this time was known as our house." No
man. woman or child was safe on the
streets alter dark and all kinds of dep
relations were being committed openly
and seemingly without fear of molestation.
Even the officers of the law were unable
to stay the doings of these hIRhwaymen.
They planned to hold up private citizens,
raid houses, stores, and even at n time
laid a very neat plan to rob the bank of j..
one OF their number. Scott Lllley. turning
traitor at the last moment and giving the
snap away to one OF the bank employees.
1t was on one Saturday morning in
March, 1882, that the news spread On our
streets that a Chinese laundry had been
raided the night previous, the proprietor
killed and his money and valuables taken.
1t took but a few minutes to locate the
c~ulprits. They were one Lacey, Opium
Bob. and a gambler BY he name of Car
ter. A meeting of citizens was at once
called to discuss matters, as it was evident
something must be done for self protec-
ton, and that at once. After two hours
elaboration it was decided to form a vigi-
lance committee to arrest and punish the
the guilty parties. As early as l o'clock
in the afternoon men appeared on the
streets with Winchesters. shot guns, pis-
tolls and other munitions of war. and at
once started for 'our house" to make the
arrest. Some dozen men stood guard
while as many more approached the door
and demanded admittance, which was
denied from within. 1t however took but
a minute to break in the. door with a
sledge hammer and and the search COM
menced. After thoroughly searching the
first and second floors without success
they were stopped at the head of the
stairs leading to the basement by a shot
from beneath, and a warning that the
first man entering would be shot dead.
but our then efficient sheriff, /. @. Miller,
and his trusted deputy, j. M. Finley,
were not to be bluffed so easily, and at
once entered and secured their prisoners
without any resistance and marched them
single file to the county jail. Of the
three Carter was missing, but was arrested
a few minutes later in Foots' saloon on
Front street and placed in the cell with
Lacey and Bob.
Even with the three leaders in custody,
our citizens did not feel at ease, as their
followers, some twenty in number, were
liable to rescue them and burn and pillage
the town before morning.
By A o'clock in the evening excited
groups of men could be seen on the street
corners, in stores and other public places,
and it was no trouble to guess the mean
ing. There was to be a hanging bee, and
that before daylight the day following.
By twelve O'Clock at night, however, the
streets we're deserted and many thought
better council had prevailed and the idea
had been given up; but a few, among
whom was the writer, thought differently,
and in this were not disanno;ntcd for Of
about half past 3 in the morning a body
of twenty five masked men noiselessly
marched up Cedar street and halted in
front of tho i,n whom one of Tho nnmhor
..anoa =. 49, 49, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
iappeu VI" ,"e uoo' 'auoi " oa"e -
the door asked VINO was there. An OIL
GER with a prisoner, was the answer.
The door was promptly opened, the TAILOR
overnouere,i and the kevs .ecn,ed With
Le.r.Ls - - aae..;Se - S.H
'hese tue 'aSh Vi securing inc prisoners
was an easy one. They all begged for
mercy as they were being led out in the
frosty night air, but their captors were in
No fr.ma 81 mind 10 o;v. cor 70 tho;r
r-
pieauings, ana at once started ior the
stock yards to fulfill the sayings OF holy
writ: IAN Eye for an Eye"
Lacy. Bob" and Carter were nIaced in
room nth tbroo noo.os dannl,pn o,or
afoo" III 'nieo noosee uauslnR o'eI