The herald., 1893-05-28
EVANS AND SONTAG.
THE TWO OUTLAWS HEARD FROM
ONCE MORE.
Chris Taking 1t Hard and sontag Rest
ing Easily-The Desperadoes Seen
at Their Camp Badger
Retreat.

Thomas B. East, says the Visalia
Times, lives in Eshom valley, not far
from Camp Badger. He is we'll known
in this county, having lived here for a
long period of years. He arrived in
town last night, and was met this morn
ing by Times reporter.
After friendly greeting Mr.. East
said: 'I saw both Evans and Sontag
on my way back home from Visalia the
last time was here"
"When was that?"
about three weeks ago. | left here
on the 4th of May. l met the bandits
the next day on the road between Camp
Badger and my home in Eshom valley.
/ was driving along the road in cart
about mile beyond Camp Badger
when l noticed two men crossing small
open place, evidently intending to head
me off. knew at once who they were.
| noticed that Sontag looked around
toward me, but Evans never turned his
head. l drove around the bend and,
sure enough, there stood Evans and
Sontag by the side of the road. /
stopped my horse, of course, for have
known Chris for IL years. He spoke
and shook hands with me.8, So did
Sontag.
"Well, we stood and talked there for a
quarter of an hour. Sontsg was leaning
on the cart wheel, appearing to be wholly
unconcerned. Chris, however, was much
more restless, and kept pacing along the
side Of the road. Sontag WAS inclined
to talk little rough at first. He told
me there had been much talk about off.
GERS having been around my house a
good deal, and that he did not like that
style. laughed and told him that, as
he and Evans were after the officers and
had made it pretty lively fof them.
thought it was about Htand-off. He
seemed to take IL all right, and was in a
better humor after that. In the conver-
sation 1 told Chris that felt very sorry
for him that hated to see men in his
condition.
"'Oh, that's all right. Tom,' Chris
replied, this buainess 10 good deal liks
eating sow-belly, meaning by this his
experience as 9 soldier In the Indian
wars"
"How about their personal appear
apce ?" asked the reporter.
"Tbey looked tough. Their faces were
clean but their overalls were as greasy
as sin. Chris's old slouch hat Topped
down over his face. He is thin and
nervous and appears to be worry
ing, but sontag is getting fat on his
hard life." 4f Hg abck5
"How were they armed ~ .9t pBAo
"They each had Winchester and q
new looking six-shooter, but / didn't see
any shotgun" said Mr.. East. $50
~ asked them why they didn't try to
get clear out of the mountains and leave
the country. Evans said they were not
ready yet, and they didn't propose to go
till they were ready. They made some
savage threats against the officers and
others who were working against
them." sssJuf'
"What was their object in accosting
you, Mr.. East, do you think? ~
81 don't know, unless it was to let me
know what to expect If aided the Of
fcers in any way"
"You ought to get good one on Dep
uty Assessor Davis" said Mr.. East,
just before the reporter left. "He was
at my house when got home half
hour later. told him where had
seen Evans and Sontag o few minutes
ago, and urged him to hurry up and col
lect poll tax from them before they got
too far away. heard afterward that
Davis did not take my advise, but in.
stead went to Camp Badger in very
roundabout way. / don't think he was
very anxious to aasess the two gentle
men,"
This is no fake, but all straight news.
Mr.. East is one of our staunch citizens
and thoroughly reliable man. His
word is as good as his bond wherever he
goes.