The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-05-10

were gone and there was no hope OF
catching them the sheriff became ener.
getic. He organized posses to give
pursuit that subsequently cost the tax
payers of the county 81 600. The Earps
being absent, the sympathy, OF course,
was against them.
The rustlers then had supreme com.
mand of the tough element of Tomb
stone. The leader of the gang, Ike
Clanton, was a handsome fellow, six
feet high, with yellow, curling locks,
and rare complexion, In spite of the
Arizona sun. He was a ready and
straight shooter He faced death a
hundred times and met 1t at last. He
hated the carp brothers with all the
intensity OF an unbridled passion and
loved their sister With an equal force
Jessie carp was beautiful girl of 10
at the time. Ike Clanton and Jessie
carp met at dance at Tombstone. 1t
was case of love at first sight Jessie's
brothers became furious when they
heard it, and Virgil, the eldest of the
family and the keeper of the family
headquarters, wanted to turn her out
OF the house and disown her. But
Wyatt, the brains of the family, said
this would be playing into the hands of
the arch enemy, Clanton. He would
Immediately marry her and both would
be happy. This would not suit the
Earps, and they resolved to keep the
girl away from Clanton and prevent
meeting or communication between
them If possible. The girl was a real
heroine. She was educated in Cali
fornia convent, and, while full of
romance, had sense of honor that
made her sustain her family in the
quarrel with the faction of which her
lover was the chief. 1t was a marvel
to many people why the Clanton gang
did not attack the carp headquarters
Immediately after reaching Tombstone
to revenge the death of the McLowry
boys and Billy Clanton. The reason was
that Jessie was confined in her brothers.
headquarters and Clanton would not
run the risk of killing her When the
Earps retreated from Tombstone they
took their sister with them
Three months later, however, when
the Earps were living in Gunnison,
Col, and, of course, were running the
town, their sister mysteri6usly disap-
peared one night. The result of inquiry
convinced them she had fled In company
with Ike Clanton. This was pouring
salt and vineg ar into their fostering
wounds. The whole band, comprising
Virgil, Wyatt and Julian carp, Doc
Halliday, Curley Bill, Sam Saunders,
Texas Ike and Monroe Tucker, armed,
mounted and pursued. The lovers had
four hours the start, but were easily
trailed. They expected pursuit and
lost no time. They reached Lake City,
eighty miles from Gunnison, In twelve
hours. Both were on horseback.
From Lake City they started for
Ouray, 100 miles by regular roads, but,
getting afraid of pursuit, they left the
road and crossed over the trackless
mountain, going 1900 feet above sea
level, and finally reached San Miguel
thirty hours without food Here they
rested for two days, being convinced
that the pursuit they expected was off
their trail The carp party went to
Ouray and, finding no trace of the
fugitives, became convinced that they
had made short cut to San Mig
uel. From Ouray to San Miguel is less
than thirty miles, but the way is over a
painless mountain, yawning gulches
and impossible canons. The Earps.
however, essayed the journey and made
1t in twenty-four hours. They reached
San Miguel about 10 o'clock In the morn
Ing, and as they rode down the winding
trail the fugitives saw them. Clanton
and the sister of his arch enemy had
been man and wife about twenty min
utes, an Episcopal clergyman having
tied the knot.
Clanton, though brave as any man,
knew that 1t was hopeless to combat
with seven or eight men practiced in
the use of firearms. But, being accus-
toned to danger, he knew how to act.
He grasped his trembling bride, rushed
from the cabin where they were rest
Ling and made his way to the nearest
mine tunnel The miners were Just
changing shift and were surprised at
the haste of the visitors Clanton then
told the miners his story as sincerely
aud eloquently as possible. The min
ers became partners of the fugitlves
without thought or consideration.
Clanton intrusted his bride to one of
the miners who took her into the
bowels of the earth, away from all |
danger. Soon the Earps arrived and |
demanded the fugitives. The miners |
answered with more spirit than polite
ness. The Earps invited a pa-ley, |
which the miners granted. The Earps |
said that Clanton sought to dishonor
their sister because of hatred TO them.
Clanton, who stood In the tunnel. with
in easy communication, sent back word
that the lady they sought to dishonor
and reproach was his wife. The Earps
tried diplomacy, which failed, and On.
ally announced their determination 10
storm the mine II the fugitives were
net surrendered. The miners presented
arms and onnouncad tbofr -, a;.1 |