The Washington times., 1894-12-10
RIDING DOWN The OUTLAWS
A Hot Chase After the Indian Terri
tory Bandits.
WHERE LIVES ARE HELD CHEAP
"The Tines Correspondent Joins Posse of
Thief-chasers and Has Some Exciting Ex-
periences- Three Bandits Killed and Left
to the Buzzards, and Stolen Horses Found.
rspeclal correspondonce to TIE TINES

Especial Correspondence 10 THE TIMES.
TAHLEoUAH, L T.. Nov. 29, 1894.-Your cor
respondent has just returned from an excit-
ing chase after the bandits who have been
terrorizing this country for several months
past.
Through the courtesy of local government
officials l obtained leave to join posse about
TO set out in search of a band of outlaws which
had Just succeeded in running of big batch
of horses belonging to the Polecat Indians.
Eight of us mounted good horses, armed our
selves with a six-shooter and Winchester
each, and set out on the trail.
AS usual the thieves made straight Tor the
rough forest and thlcket-cove Mills and
gorges of the Spavina and the broken country
through to the Greenleaf Mountains, north
east of Fort Gibson.
We trailed them over this rough country
over the rugged Spavina hills and ridges,
through deep, dark forests and across beauti-
iul fats, pia:eaus, and grassy glades, halting
now and then to examine the trail. The
bandits seemed 10 choose the toughest, rock
lest, and widest country to travel through.
Our horses slipped and plunged on the steep,
rocky hillsides, and leaped over logs. bitches,
and crevasses, while we lodged branches and
vines as we clattered on eager for the out
come of the chase.
The camp that night was pitched by Spring
Creek, miles west of Ohm. We ate our supper
and fed our horses at a Cherokee Indians
house. after which n council was held to de-
termine our course OF action for the morrow.
Wethen took q smoke and lay down to sleep.
Early in the morning six Cherokees joined
the party. We now numbered fourteen all
armed TO the teeth. We took the trail at once.
and soon learned that the outlaws had
camped on Fourteen-nile Creek the previous
day. Their deserted camp was reached about
/ q the morning in natural rock
fort on hill top. The fires were still burn
ing. Evidently scout had warned them OF
our approach and our numbers.
The chase now became exciting, for the
trail was fresh and we feared an ambush, in
which case we realized how serious it might
prove for US. as the Winchesters of the out
laws could kill at 1000 yards. Hence we kept
a sharp lookout, sweeping the surrounding
country frequently with field glass. Pre-
cautions were also taken to ride in three
squads; five in the front, about 200 yards
back rode five more, and the same distance
back of these again came the remaining four.
In this manner we crossed Pecan Creek and
struck the rough hills northeast OF Fort Glib
son.
The outlaws were evidently in great haste,
for we picked up a fine cowboy hat and
belt of cartridges which they had overlooked
at their late camp; and here, by the side OF
clear spring lay an oyercoat and a Winches-
Ter Tlue Will Tue SIOCh DEOktl.
We were now getting into very rough,
broken country, covered with thick, heavy
timber. The trail led toward high ridge.
! Up the side OF this we clambered With diff
culty. and were riding along the plateau
through the timber toward backbone of
rocks running at right angles across the ridge
and about a quarter Of mile in our front,
while at the same distance further on rose a
high. bald knob.>
All at once the sharp report OF Winchester
rang out over the echoing hills, andsene OF
our young Cherokees was wounded in the
face.
We instantly dismounted and took to trees,
sending our horses back out of danger.
Several long range shots were exchanged.
At last Dick another young Cherokee, crept
up, and before the outlaws were aware of it,
cut loose all the stolen horses as well as their
own, and started them in a wild stampede
towards US, amid shower of bullets.
Dick had mounted one of the best horses
and came whooping and yelling in the rear
of the horses twenty-five in all-re-
gardless Of the bullets which were making
the bark fly from the trees around him.
Suddenly his horse plunged and fell, shot
through the neck; but the young brave picked
himself up, ran on TO US, and took tree.
/ The horses galloped past and were stopped
with our horses.
Five of US now went to the west. and pick
ing our way over rocks and through the dense
thickets on the face of the mountain, we
gained the bald knob in their rear. Here we
could look down and see most of the outlaws,
about ten OF them. We opened fire at long
range with our Winchesters, and soon the
mountains were echoing to the noise OF our
little battle.
Two of the outlaws fell dead, and as another
of their number dropped, the remainder broke
and fed down the mountain side, scattering
in the thick brush
We did not attempt to follow them, but
gathering up the horses, went back few
miles and camped.
Four OF our men received flesh wounds,
and three horses were killed. We took the
arms etc., of the dead outlaws, and leftlthem
for their comrades or the buzzards to look
after Tahlequah was reached two days later
without further mishap. G. B.