The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-05
HIT BY THREE BULLETS.
Though Badly Wounded the
Outlaw Made a Desper-
ate Resistance.
SURROUNDED IN A CORNFIELD.
He Opened Fire When Ordered by
the PurSuerS to Throw Up
His Hands.

WICHITA, KANs., Aug. 4.-"Zlp" Wyatt,
alias Dick Yeager, the intrepid leader of
the murderous band of outlaws that sprang
up in the Territory Immediately after the
determination of the famous Dalton gang,
was captured ten miles east of Sheridan
to-day after one of the fercest fights that
has ever occurred in the Oklahoma coun-
try.
The Wyatt gang-or the Yeager gang, as
it is variously known-has made fearful
record that is written in the blood of many
hapless victim, in the tears of sorrowing
widows and children. 1t knew no law and
respected no rights, and for several years
has preyed upon the people of the new
country, who seemingly were powerless to
cope with the daring and reckless band.
Train and bank robberies were of frequent
occurrence, and express companies were
forced to discontinue the transmission of
money through the regions which the
gang infested.
The Dover, l. T., express robbery was
the last large undertaking of the gang.
At that time the entire territory became
aroused, and an organized effort was begun
to hunt down the criminals. For six
months various lesser detachments into
which the gang broke up have been
chased from one end of the territory to the
other like wild animals, but not until
within the past few weeks have important
results followed. "Bill' Doolin, Tulsa
Jack and Isaac Black, members OF the
gang, have been killed. Since that time,
in successive encounters, nearly a dozen
other of the outlaw band including several
no
fights. Wyatt, the leader, has for two
weeks been engaged in a running fight
with officers, being badly wounded in the
right side.
Early last night large posse of vigi-
lantes, headed by Detective W. D. Fossett of
the Rock Island Railroad, dislodged him
from his hiding place on Gloss Mountain,
and in his wild fight east toward the
home of his father-in-law he has been hard
pressed by his pursuers and several times
came very near falling into their hands.
Last night he crossed the Rock Island Rail-
road near Waukomis and was brought to
bay in cane field. The vigilantes formed
a Gordon all round the field, but the outlaw
managed to escape.
AT daybreak this morning the pursuit
began again, and about IL o'clock the fugi-
tive took refuge in corn field. The vigil
lantes, headed by Marshal Smith of Enid,
were upon him in an instant, and, cover
ing him with Winchesters. told him to
surrender. Instead he pulled two re-
volvers and began to shoot. A dozen guns
were fired at him almost simultaneously,
and, throwing up his hands, he fell. A
bullet had entered his hip and two struck
eft hot oil
and did no damage.
The PROSTATE outlaw was game TO the
end, and half raising himself to
sitting position he again began shooting.
but the officers quickly overpowered and
disarmed him. He was taken to Hennes-
sey, 0. T., and later to the Garfield County
Jail, where he now lies in dangerous con-
dition, though the attending surgeons say
there are fair chances for his recovery. He
is morose and sullen, and has uttered
scarcely a word since his capture.
The Jail in which he is confined is under
heavy guard, as it is feared that an attempt
will be made by his friends to liberate him.
Every body is eager 10 catch a glimpse of
the man VINO has kept the Territory in
state of turmoil for so long time, and ex-
element runs high. The Identification of
the prisoner is fully established.
AS near as can be estimated, there are
about twenty outlaws still at large, and
the vigilence of their pursuers will not be
relaxed On account of to-day's important
capture. The vigilantes are well organized
throughout the entire territory, and they
require all travellers to- have properly au-
thenticated passports. The death knell of
outlawry in the territory has been sounded
and it is confidently expected that the
entire band will be wiped out within
very short time.