Connecticut western news., 1894-11-29
A DESPERADO.

A company of gentlemen sat in the office of the Hotel Palomares in Pomona the other evening waiting for late train to Los Angeles Each one of the party knew every one else, cigars were freely passed around, and all were en- toying 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 orange growers in southern California
 "From 1878 until 1S78," he said, 'I was engaged by Chicago lumber company to travel through the country from Denver to St Louis to look up openings for lumber yards It was my business to visit new towns and settle ments, and when found men of capi- tai in them to induce them to go into the lumber business and buy of the Chi cago concern. At that time Ogalalla. on the Union Pacific railroad, was fa- 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 a large portion of its residents I passed a night in Dodge City in October, 1876, and assure you that I 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
 ''On one side of the railroad track stood big barnlike building called the America Mexican hotel, and on the oth CT a row of 20 or 30 one story frame houses, almost every one of which was 8 barroom, with gambling house at tached Over the doors hung such signs as Cowboys Retreat, The Divan' and The Frontiersman's 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
 
 man taking his final rest there who had not come to his death by violence.
 ''It was toward afternoon when halted my horse in front of the Ameri- CO., Mexican hotel after 40 mile ride. Heavily armed men stood about in groups The looks thrown at me were far from reassuring, but I pretended not to see them and hastened into the ho- tel. Hardly had taken my seat in the dining room when four men, evidently forming delegation, approached me. They demanded to know what brought me to Dodge City in a 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 was a deputy sheriff and frankly told me that if I had been I should have been escorted out of town, as no gov ernment officers were wanted about Dodge City that night They further informed me that there was to be one of the prettiest lynching bees ill 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 a 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. It was not easy, however, to accomplish this, as the men were intrenched in the barroom one to enter. It had been determined to dislodge them that night in spite of all resistance and was invited to take part in the affair. The men were named Hank Martin, Jack Willis and Wa, Simmons and were desperate outlaws, with large sums upon their heads.
 Just at dark the citizens of Dodge City prepared for battle The attacking parties were divided into two forces. One approached the point of attack l from the rear, while the larger number marched up to the front All the citi zens wore handkerchiefs over their faces. ] was in the main body of attackers, ol | rather behind-it Wewere brought to 6 sudden halt by rife shot from one oi | the windows of the besieged house, anC one of our leaders fell Various means were tried to dislodge the three men, but to no purpose. Every time the 1 slightest advance was made their rifles rang out, and some one on our side drop ped. At last small man slipped up il the shadow of the adjacent building and threw lighted can of kerosene under the. building. Soon it began tc burn. At last it was ,enveloped il flames, and the three men were obliged to rush for their lives. They were hal blinded by the heat and smoke of the
 burning building, so they were quickly captured.
 ''Then all the citizens of Dodge City
 not excepting the women and children
 formed in line and marched down tt
 the cattle pens, where an old tree stooe
 that had served several times as gal
 lows. A rope had been brought along
 and it was quickly thrown over {,
 branch, and everything was ready fo
 the hanging. It was at first intended t.
 dispose of all three at the same time
 but there was not enough. rope, so i
 was decided to hang one at a time Jacl
 Willis was the first to be strung uI
 His end was hastened by dozen but
 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 tn
 boldest desperado known on the plain
 in those days was brought out. Just z
 the big. powerful fellow was led unde
 the tree he made a sign that he wante
 to say something The gag was remove