West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-01-24
TRAGEDY OF THE FRONTIER
A Battle to The Death Between Ont.
laws and Deputy Sherifrs with
Winchester Rifles.
Special correspondence OF TnE ARors.
pUoENIy ADrzOSr,

the first day of February as per
sentence.
On the afternood OF Christmas
day while Price was supposed by the
Jal.er to be eating his turkey and
cranberry sauce, he WIS effecting
his escape from the county jail. He
made his escape by filing in two a
cha which was arranged to help
secure the door. There escaped at
the same time counterfeiter, who
was awaiting his trial. The alarm
was given as soon rs it was dIscov-
cred that the prisoners had escaped,
but the officers could get no clue
rs to the direction they had taken.
yet 1t was scarcely dark. They
Immediately tclepraphed descrip.
ton OF the men to all points which
could be reached by wire, and the
sheriff and deputies began to scour
the country for clue or trail. but
could lind no trace of the criminals.
1t was generally supposed that they
would make bee line for Mexico.
Consequently the sheriff offered
5000 reward for the capture of
Price, dead or alive. On the third
day after they made their escape
the sheriff received telegram from
Sentinel, u small place about eighty
miles southwest Of this place, stat.
ing that Price and Young had been
seen pass there on the evening of
the 29th. On receipt of this news
Deputy Sheriff Prothero, with TWO
companions, started to Sentinel to
take their trail and effect their cIp.
ture, if possible, before they reach
ed the Mexican line. They left
ella Bend on the night of the goth
IN buck board with water and
food and three saddle horses. They
went southwestwlrd to what Is
known as the Ajo Mines, the near
est point at which water could be
obtained. They then began look
ing for the trail of the fuSitives.
1t was certain that they were going
south and it was equally certain
that they must touch Ajo for water
or perish in the desert of thirst.
Ajo was therefore necesslrially
point on the trail. When the
officers reached the mine they found
that Price and Young had not been
there. They at once began hunt
ing lol tracks, and found them
some distance north of the mines.
Plice and Young had evidently been
nearly overtaken by two other men
who were OH their trail, but it is
supposed that they were afraid to
attack the fugliiyes. as they were
even IN number. The tracks of the
and counterfeiter were
followed into Il box canyon, i'm
which 1T was certain that they had
gone into cImp. The officers guide
(whom they had procured before
leaving Al led them around to a
pass on the other side Of the noun
tain. They then dismountcd and
entered the canyon. Creeping from
cover to cover, they at length came
in sight OF Price and Young's
camp. The outlaws had arranged
1t SO as to preventattack form the en-
trance Of the canyon and were no
doubt ignorant Of any other pass
into the canyon. The officers ap-
proiched within twenty-five yards
of them before they were discov-
cred, and Price and Young imme
di'teiy commenced firing. Before
entering the canyon, Prothcro SAID
to the guide, who was only a boy.
that he expected hard fight.
knowing that the men were armed
with WInchvsters and Price fight.
ing for his life, would naturally
fgh: as long as there was breath
in him.
81 don't want to get you into
trouble aud ifyou want TO keep out
OF it, YOU bad better 90 now" The
boy replied "I'll take care OF nv.
self" and the officer said call
right and so they entered the
clnyon. As stated before, the
firing commenced as soon as the
fugitlves discovered The deputy and
guide, (as the other two men were
a hundred yards away at the time)
- general fusilade followed i'm the
course Of which Deputy Prothero
received ball from Winchester
IN his arm. Almost vt the same