Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-06-17
DEATH Or ESPANOSA,
WHO FOR YslRS TERRORlzsD TIE VALLEY
OF THg RIO GRANDE
The Story as Heard From the Lips Of Old Tom
Tobin, the Scout Who Slew The Notorious
Bandit and Received Five Thousand Dollars
Reward.
Writlsn for Ms RsJistsr.


Costila county, heard from the rps OF
Tom Tobin the details attending the
killing OF the Mexican murderer ana
bandit ESpanosa, who for years terror
lied the valley OF the Rio Grande In
Colorado and New Mexico. Old Tom
Tobn the hero OF this exploit Is now
living on his rancho few miles south
OF Fort Garland, and is nearly so years
of age. He is a grizZled and much bat
tered up specimen OF humanity, having
been shot dozen times by Indians ana
carved with the bowie knives OF desper-
ADDE'S In many sanguinary trays, during
his long career as scout ana plalnsman.
Nevertheless he is still rugged ana
healthy and delights in recountlng his
adventures aud border battles with his
old friend and comrade, Kit Carson, and
his various campaigns with otficers OF
the old army in pursuit OF Indian
marauders. When Kit Carson died at
Fort Lyon, In Colorado, about fifteen
wears ago, he left half-breed son
named Billy, and his dying request was
that this boy should be sent To Wash
inrton, and that General sherman,
then commanding the army and Tor
whom Kit Carson Away entertained the
warmest friendship aud admiration.
would have his son appointed cadet
at the military Academy at West Point
The General received Billy, and con-
siderately sought TO comply with the
old scouts dying wishes, but the boy
being deficient 10 the rudimentary
knowledge necessary to pass the ex-
animation required OF all candidates
who seek admlttance to the National
Academy, placed him iu charge OF a
Catholic priest at Georgetown with In
structons to improve the half breeds
mental requirements so that he would
have some chance to get the
coveted appointment. AT the end
OF several months the priest reported
TO tho general that the boy would fight
like the devil, but as for acquiring any
useful knowledge, he would rather un-
dertake to educate q Rocky Mountain
catmount. Thereupon Billy, by the advice
of the general, abandoned his contem-
plated military career, and accepting a
position as an employe OF the quarter
masters department OF the army, re-
turned to his home at Fort Garland.
Here shortly afterwards he met and
married Tom Tooin's daughter, and
thus the two families OF the
famous scouts were united by kin
dred dies. But one day about three
years ago Old Tom got on rampage
for some real or fancied wrong done 10
his daughter by her husband, and buck
ling on his army colts went In quest OF
Billy. The latter was warned OF the
approaching danger, and knowing that
Old Tom never wasted powder and ball,
gave him such
A WARM RECEPTION
with Winchester rife that the old
scout was laid up In bed over a year
nursing q shattered knee. After that
little affair with his fsther-in-law Billy
always went about armed cap-a-pie,
and returning one day from San Luis,
his horse kicked at him and the hoof
striking the hammer OF the pistol
carried in the holster at his
side, sent the ball tearing through
the femoral artery, producing a
wound that proved fatal, thus relieving
Old Tom Of any further trouble 10 get
ting rid of his. son-iu-law. While sur
fering from the severe wound received
In the encounter with young Carson,
Tobin applied TO the legislature OF Colo
RADIO and received portion OF the re-
ward due him for many years for tho
| killing of the bandit Espanosa. This
dreaded Mexican murderer had long in
tested the sparsely settled country along
the Rio Grande river and the mountain
ranges TO the east and west OF that
stream. His bloody deeds thrilled the
community with horror. He would am
bush miners. prospectors and white
settlers, and openly declared It to be his
purpose to kill every Americana" 10
the valley. He was charged With,
and known to be OF guilty over
30 cold blocded murders. III
crimes we're easily detected and known
from the fact that out OF mere brayadc
he always left his card containing the
| name "Espanosa" pinned on the body
| OF his victim. The territorial governor
offered a
LARGE REWARD FOR EsPANosA,
dead or alive, and many daring men,
and even squads OF u. 5. soldiers,
trailed through the mountains in the
hope OF capturing the criminal, but he
eluded all pursuers and continued his
deeds Of deviltry despite the vigilance
Of the authorities. But his Nemesis
was at hand. One day a
law abiding Mexican came into
Fort Garland and informed the com
handing officer that Espsnosa and an-
other outlaw were hiding 10 canon
near Veta Pass, In the Sangre de Chris
to mountains. The Colonel at once or
oered out a detach ment OF troops, and
accepting the services OF Tobin as guide,
despatched the party in search OF the
bandits. Tobin knew that a detach-
ment OF soldiers could never make the
capture, as the wary MeXicans would DO
sure to get wind OF their approach and
prom pity change their hiding place In
the fastness Of the mountains. There
fore he purposely cent the scout
ing party Ia different direc-
ton, and be himself followed the d.
rect trail TO the canon where Espanoss
was secreted. arriving al the foothills
after dark, be dismeunted, and secur-
ing his horse, decided 10 make Q night
march through the forest Of pinion
trees covering the mountain side. II
was
LONG AND ToILsoME TRANP.
but Tobin trudged along through the
night, and just at dawn was rewarded
DO detecting a thin streak OF blue
smoke circling in the air from the
depths OF the canon. Approaching
stealthily, the scout was soon In fnll
view OF the bivouac OF the noted des-
peradoes. The bandits totally unaware
Of the presence Of an enemy were quiet
~ preparing their breakfast. Espsn-
asn him .elf WAS bathing 10 the mountain