The herald., 1893-06-13
THEIR CRIMINAL CAREER ENDED.

THEIR ChimINAL CAREER ENDED.
For several months the train robbers
and murderers, Evans and Sontag, have
defied the whole power OF the state from
their fastneases in the mountains back
of Visalis. Whenever they have been
closely pureued they have either man
aged to evade the officers or have lured
them into trap from which they turned
upon them and sent murderous volleye
into their rsnka. A few weeks ago they
severely wounded q man whom they be-
lieved was tracking them. They had
become the terror of two counties, and
II seemed as II they could continue to
defy the authorities with impunity.
They have at last, however, come to
the end OF their lawless career. A party
of officera, led by Msrahal Gard of this
city. has brought them to grisf. After
desperate fight Sontag was dangerously
ahot, and Evans is believed to have
been wounded. Sontag was brought
into Viealla yesterday forenoon, and
PARTIES are out after Evans, who is now
in no condition to keep up the combat
and who will probably soon be captured.
This is the elimination of another OF
the extraordinary criminal episodes
which have occurred in Caifornia's. his
tory. The fret noted nighwayman and
desperate was Joaquin Murietts, who in
the early fifties ranged the mountain
towns for two or three years, and with
his band committed robberies and
atrocities in every camp in the southern
mines, until at last he ran up against
Harry loves avenging bullet.
The notorious Jack Powers was an
other terror who robbed and murdered
for several years before he was driven
out of the state. This outlaw was one
OF the smoothest and most cold blooded
rufiians that ever infested the state. HE
beat was between San Francisco and
Los Angeles. He came to California
with Ssevensou's regiment and had
friends and "pals' in every settlement
III tho southern country. He could
summon o gang of cut-throate to Join
him at almost any point between San
Diego and San Jose, Numberless MUIR
ders were traced to him. He was on in
veterats gambler. He left poker
game in this city one night broke,
but returned few hours afterwards
and resumed play with large stake OF
money. Next morning man who was
known to have considerable sum in his
cabin WAS found murdered and his
money gone. &s soon as an investiga-
ton pointed to Jack Powers as the
guilty party, he disappeared. The state
became too hot for him when the vigil
snce committee was organized in San
Francisco, and he escaped to Mexico,
whore he was soon afterwards killed
His body WAS found in field half eaten
by hoga.
Tiburoio Vsequez's career as bandit
WAS brought to an end about four miles
out of town, at Greek Georges house in
the Cahuengs foothills. A party organ
lied by Sheriff Rowland traced him to
that house and captured him, after
fight in which he was severely wounded.
He was taken to San Jose and executed.
This brigand had defed the authorities
for several years. aud had committed
the most outrageous atrocities.
Evans and Sontag are the only ones
who in recent years have held the
authorities at bay for any length of time,
Their boldneHa has been the theme of
public discussion ever since they robbed
the train over year ago near Coils.
The most experienced Detectives in the
state have made repeated efforts to cap
ture them. The family of Evans lived
near Visalia, aud he evidently had
many friends among his old neighbors.
Notwithstanding large parties were out
after him nearly all the time trying to
secure the large reward offared for his
capture, he was reported to nave visited
his home on several occasions. He at
last came down from bis fastness in the
mountains once too often, and although
he has temporarily escaped, his partner
ia fast in the hands OF the law. Wound
ed, as he is believed to be, he is in no
condition to longer keep up the unequal
struggle.
The history of all the noted outlaws
of this state has always had the same
finale. They have all braved. the au-
thorisies for time; but they have all
at last been brought to grief. The uni
form lesson their careers have taught is
that it don't pay; that sooner or later
! tho IN % iasty of the law aesarks itsalf aud
they are made to suffer terrible pen
atty for their misdeeds.