The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-01-24

when he was Minister to Constantine
pie, and his later triumphs in the
world of literature have all gone to
make up an eventful record, and they
have all been so often recounted in the
public prints that it would seem that
every incident of his life would be ia
miliar to those who keep themselves
posted on the careers of public men.
Yet there is one ordeal through which
General Wallace passed, and which he
will probably never forget, that has
escaped the vigilance of the scribes. 1t
is, probably, not generally remem-
Governor of the Territory of New
Mexico, but it is fact that in 1880,
and for year or so after that, he oc-
cupied the former palace of the Cap
taIns-General of Spain, in the historic
old town of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
He was the chief executive of the Ter
ritory, by appointment of President
Garfield, and it was during his admin
istration that he fell under the ban of
an assassin, and was given very good
reason to believe that he would have
TO look down the ugly barrel of for
Fty-five-calibre revolver, and to defend
his life as best he might.
The Governors enemy was no less
parsonage than the then illustrious
''Billy the Kid" than whom no man
had ever excited more terror on the
frontier or given better ground for the
dread in which he was held. He had
perpetrated murder after murder and
there we're few crimes of which he was
not believed to be capable. He boasted
that he had killed more men than he
was years of age and would shoot a
man if he felt so disposed, "iust to
see him kick"
After "Billy the Kid" had been
carrying things with q high hand for
long time Governor Wallace offered
areward for his capture. 1t proved a
tempting bait to the "gun fighters"
and officers of the law in the Territory.
There we're plenty of men among them
who did not shrink from a hunt
through the mountain Businesses, even
after such formidable game as this
border bully, and the result of the
Governor cffer was that after a most
exciting pursuit "Billy the Kid" was
surrounded by overwhelming numbers
and forced to surrender. He was
taken to Santa Fe and removed thence
to Lincoln County to answer charge
of murder.
Enraged at having been trapped,
the outlaw swore that if ever he re-
gained his liberty he would kill three
men. One was Judge who had once
passed sentenced upon him, one was
Pat Garrett of Lincoln County, who
had been conspicuously active in effect
ing his capture, and the third was
Governor Lew Wallace.
''After have settled accounts with
those three men," said the desperate,
81 will be willing to surrender and
be hanged. When / get out / will
ride into Santa Fe, hitch my horse in
front of the Palace and walk in and
put bullet through Lew Wallace"
This seemed idle boasting at the
time, because there appeared to be not
the remotest possibility of the prison
er's escape. He was in the custody of
Sheriff Garrett in the County Jail at
Lincoln, and the Sheriff, besides being
cool, courageous and reliable man,
had every incentive to be watchful OF
his charge. 1t was thought pretty
sure thing that Garrett would never
let the "Kid" go, and Governor Wal
lace felt fairly secure in his Office away
on in Santa Fe.
Garrett appointed as guards over
the "Kid" Bob Ollinger and John Bell.
They were his personal friends, both
big, burly six-footers, who lowered
over their diminutive prisoner. In ad,
dition to this physical superiority over
him, they counted themselves his
equals when it came to fair and
square gun-ight. II any one had told
them that the "Kid" would outwii
them and escape they would have
laughed at the very thought OF it.