The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-10-22
A DESPERADO.

party knew every one else, cigars were
freely passed around, and all we've en-
joying talk about early experiences on
the frontier, and especially in southern
California, before railroads were built
in this region The best story of the
evening was told by Colonel John Will
hanson, one of the most important
orange growers in southern California
From 1878 until 1878, - he said,
81 was engaged by Chicago lumber
company to travel through the country
from Denver to st. Louis to look up
openings for lumber yards. 1t was my
business to visit new towns and settle
ments, and when l found men of capt |
tai i'll them to induce them to go into !
the lumbsr business and buy of the Chi
cago concern. At that time Ogalalla.
on the Union Pacific railroad, was IA |
nous throughout the country as the |
toughest place in the west Then Dodge |
City, Kan. came into prominence for
its cowboy episodes and the rough, |
tough and desperate character of large
portion Of its residents. passed night
in Dodge City in October, 1876, and l
assure you that | came quickly to the
conclusion that life in any other town
would be tame and without excitement
in comparison with the pleasures that
place could afford.
ION one side of the railroad track
stood big barnlike building called the
America Mexican hotel, and on the 9TH
er row of 20 or 30 one story frame
houses, almost every one of which was
"a barroom, with gambling house at
tached. Over the doors hung such signs
as Cowboys Retreat, The Divan' and
The FrontierSman' Delight Behind
the town, on top of the hill, was the city
graveyard. An immense cross stood at
the top of the hill and served as land
mark for travellers for miles and miles
across the barren prairies. That grave
yard was the pride of every man who
lived in Dodge City. The inhabitants
watched it grow and pointed with pleas
ure to the fact that there was hardly
man taking his final rest there who had
not come to his death by violence
1T was toward afternoon when |
halted my horse in front of the Ameri-
co-Mexican hotel after 40 mile ride.
Heavily armed men stood about i'll
groups The looks thrown at me were
far from reassuring, but l pretended not
to see them and FASTENED into the ho-
tel. Hardly had | taken my seat in the
dining room when four men, evidently
forming a delegation, approached me.
They demanded to know what brought
me to Dodge City in way which left
me no alternative but to answer. My
answers seemed satisfactory, and one OF
them informed me the reason of their
curiosity. They had some idea that l
was deputy sheriff and frankly told
me that if | had been l should have
been escorted out OF town, as no gov
eminent officers were wanted about
Dodge City that night. They further
informed me that there was to be one
of the prettiest lynching bees in town
that night that had ever taken place.
"Three men had come to Dodge City
10 weeks before and had taken the town
by storm They had made their head
quarters at tavern almost opposite the
hotel and had levied tax on every one
who entered. Anybody who objected to
paying or standing treat was beaten,
and when resistance was shown pistols
were used. Ten men had received death
wounds from these three men, and the
town had determined to set an example
TO all such characters by hanging the
three without ceremony 1t was MOI
easy, however, to accomplish this, a:
the men We're intrenched III the BARRON
and refused to come out or allow an.
one to enter 1t had been determined t.
dislodge them that night i'll spite Of al
resistance, and / was invited to tax,
part in the affair. The men We're named
Hank Martin, Jack Willis and Wa
Simmons and were desperate outlaws
with large sums upon their heads.
Just at dark the citizens of Dodg'
City prepared for battle. The attacking
parties were divided into two forces
One approached the point of attacl
from the rear, while the larger numbe,
marched up to the front All the citi
Zens wore handkerchiefs over their faces
/ was i'll the main body of attackers, o
rather behind it. We were brought to
sudden halt by rife shot from one o
the windows of the besieged house, an
one of our leaders fell. Various mean
We're tried to dislodge the three men
but to no purpose. Every time tn
slightest advance was made their rifle
rang out, and some one ON our side DROP
ped At last small man slipped up i
the shadow of the adjacent buildin
and threw lighted can of kerosen
under the building. Soon it began {
burn. At last il was enveloped /
flames, and the three men were oblige
to rush for their lives. They were hal
blinded by the heat and smoke of tn
burning building SO they were quickl
captured.
Then all the citizens of Dodge City
nvnnnti,,e, tIa and chi lnrpI
formed in line and marched down I
the cattle pens, where an old tree stoo
that had served several times as ga
lows. A rope had been brought along
and it was quickly thrown over
branch and everything was ready fC
the hanging. 1t was at first intended
dispose of all three at the same tint
but there was not enough rope, so
was decided to hang one at time. JAG
Willis was the flrst TO be strung VI
His end was FASTENED by dozen bul
lets, which were fired into the bod
while it was still writhing Wat Sin
mons was then disposed of.
Next came the turn of Hank Martin
and all held their breath when I'll
boldest desperate known ON the plaiI
in those days was brought out, Just {
the big, powerful fellow was led und'
the tree he made sign that he wantc
to say something. The gag was remove
from Martin mouth, and he said;
'''If you will take this rope froi
round my neck and slightly loosen thei
bonds, l will tell you men somethin
that will interest you all.
There seemed no danger, with {
many on guard, so his request was con