Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-06-12
None az his friends could save him, not

and as I knew Sheriff Adams we'll,
went to see Vasquez, of whom 1 had
many times been in terror, and whom
I had great curiosity to meet. AS l,
in company with several ranchmen,
went into the Jail corridor the after
non before the day of the execution.
Vasouez was led out of his cell to chat
with us. He was little, dapper fell
low, with bright, laughing eyes, u
pleasant mouth, and thin, clean-shavca
face. He did not weigh over 100 pounds.
and his dress was scrupulously neat.
1t was hard for many of US ranchmcn
to believe that he was really the Vas
quez of whose wholesale robberieS,
dreadful slayings of human life and
unprecedented recklessness we had
heard almost daily for over decade.
We had had cowboys who seemed able
to swallow that little fellow, but who
held even the name of Vasquez in con-
slant dread.
''The little Mexican was writing fare.
we'll letters to his friends as we came
into the corridor, and as he came out
Of his cell he tucked his penholder be-
hind his ear and smilingly extended his
nand to each in our party. I'm pleased
to see you,' said he, but if have not
my wits at command, please remember
that for several hours I have been put.
ting my brains to severe letter writing.
When one comes to write the very last
letters of all to his dear ones, you know,
it is quite brain-taXing.'
eve offered him handful of cigars,
and he said: Many thanks to you, gen
tlemen. l love to smoke, but don't
think I shall have time to smoke all
these. SoI'll leave some for the guards
Varquez was put out that there were
not enough seats for all of us, and in
whispers begged the guards to go and
get chair in another part of the jail,
and he remained standing while we sat.
lie gossiped about the latest news from
San Francisco, and asked a Mexican
gentleman in our party for further bits
CT political information from the City
of Mexico. He told a neat little story
about funny experience among the
servants in his fathers home in Chiha,
hua when he was a boy. and when the
story drew forth humorous tale from
one of our party, he laughed as merri'y
ard genuinely rs you can imagine. 'Ah,
you Americans. said he. in his smooth
musical Spanish accent, you Amer
leans have such a way of seeing funny
things. I guess have missed COOL
deal of it by not being Yankee. too
Turning to me, Vasqlez asked if
was not the Fillmore who once had
herd of cattle and ranch down the
ella river country in Arizona. Upon
my answering YES, he said: oh, now l
know all about you, Mr.. Fillmore. Your
cattle outfit and my gang had some
little disputes about property several
years ago. believe we had to shoot
one or two of your men. Well, I am
sincerely sorry, Mr.. Fillmore, that /
ever did you any harm, but it seems to
me at this recollection we were in des-
| perate straits when we were over youc
J way, and we had to do something out of
the ordinary in our line of business
Now please don't harbor any ill will for
Inc! after am gone tomorrow for those
old bygones.'
"Vasquez said he believed he once got
hold somewhere in Arizona of bloodsd
horse having my brand upon it, and
that it was the best animal he ever had
| to realize when it must do it's utmost at
! speed to deliver its rider out of danger.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Fillmore. you were so
! much a victim of my way of doing bust
ness, said the young man, with the
only tinge of sorrow that escaped him
that day. He told of the pleasure he
| had had ia reading Bret Harte's stories
| in the last two weeks, and regretted
| that he had not known the fun and wit
| there were in Don Quixote in his early
| days.
Gas he stood there, one hand on the
arm of his chair, a newspaper in the
other, and showing a courteous interest
in the efforts of the busting deputy
to find seats for his guests he was far
from formidable in appearance. How
ever terrible he may have looked when,
shotgun in hand, he rode up to the stage
coach or the wayside store, the lonely
traveller or the isolated ranch house,
with his gathering, criminal cavalry
behind him, as ready to blow out brains
and cut Threats as to take plumber, he
| u
dark-skinned, pleasant-faccd Mexican,
with nothing forbidding about him. In
deed, his manner was engaging.
"1 would rather talk of something
else, if it is agreeable to you, gentle
men, he said to reporter who had
Joined US and began business at once
ty asking Vasquez about his mental
| condition.
| "I am to be hanged tomorrow. Very
well. I don't like it, but I have no
! choice. See?'
"And he shrugged his shoulders and
| smiled.
DO you feel that you deserve your
fate? solemnly asked the reporter.
"'Well, that does not much matter
he answered, lighting a cigar. while
never killed anybody myself I permit
ted my men to do so. and in the eye of
the law that is the same thing,so sup
pose deserve what is going to happen.
7 ho1