The San Francisco call., 1896-05-02
Giant Powder Used to Drive One
Of the Highwaymen From
His Retreat.
MINERS AID THE OFFICERS.
The Fugitive Surrenders When the
Explosive Is Ready to Be
Touched OFF.


liam Layerone and his confederate, who
robbed man named NJ. Ashley of $3.50
and gold watch at Bates on Wednes-
day, were captured near Bates this morn
ing by Constable J. W. Green, Detective
Grace and posse. They were taken at
cave, which they had stocked with pro-
visions and arms, and in which they in
tended to hold out against the officers sent
against them. The bandits plars were
well laid, but they had not figured on the
efficacy of giant powder as an offensive
weapon.
Laverone was surprised and captured
while outside of the cave. His COM
psnion, known as "Jack," after holding
the stronghold for several hours, sur
| rendered after holes had been drilled and
giant powder placed to blow up the cave
and bury him beneath tons of earth and
boulders.
When the officers arrived at Bates
| Wednesday evening after the shooting,
| they made inquiries as to the Whereabouts
of Laverone, and, after being satisfied that
he was somewhere in the vicinity, waited
until morning before starting on their
| search. They visited several vacant
| cabins, but failed to find any trace of the
criminals. Samuel Prewitt then remem-
| bered that Laverone had told him on a
| previous occasion that he knew where
there was cave in which he could fight
Il all MADEIRA County and come off VIC
| torious. The men separated and made
search for the cave.
| Green and Prewett had not gone far
when they discovered footprints, and fol-
| lowing them they came directly onto the
l'cave. Layerone was standing out in front
sof the mouth, picking up chips with which
to build fire and cook his breakfast and
did not observe the approach OF the Off
| GERS until Green, who was in front, called
to him to throw up his hands and surren-
der. He made backward move with his
hands, but Green thrust the sawed-off
muzzle of a shotgun toward his face and
Laverone complied with his demand, but
shouted warning to his partner. LAYER
one. was handcuffed. Green asked him
who was in the cave.
"Well, it's not Regan you've got in
there, and you had better go careful, for
/ you have got fight on your hands, he
replied.
| Lavernoe was then taken to one side,
| while Prewett kept guard over the mouth
of the tunnel with rifle Laverone said
he did not know what his partners name
was except Jack" Green talked to
Jack, who answered from within the
cavern that he had not yet got his break
| fast and was in bad hrnor: he was not
in the. habit of going out too early in the
morning and had no. unusual business
outside, so he though he eWould remain in
side for while at least. incidentally he
remarked that he was good shot and
| had plenty of "shooting-irons" and am
munition. He warned the officer not to
show himself at the mouth of the cave.
He said he would not come out until he
4 had to, and then he was coming out fight
ing. He fired two shots out of the mouth
of the cave. but no harm was done, as he
could not get sight of the men outside.
Being convinced that the prisoner would
not give up without fight. the posse sent
over to Bates for giant powder and ham,
mer and drills. While the officers were
waiting for the drills they threw g. stick Of
powder as far into the cave as possible,
but the prisoner was equal to the occasion
aud shot the stick as soon as it entered the
cave and 1t exploded without doing any
damage.
1t was clock before couple of miners
started to drlll, but in half an hour they
had accomplished their work and were
ready to put in the blasts The prisoner
heard the drillers working over his head.
He realized what was to be done and knew
that he would soon be crushed to death
beneath the pile of rock, so he called out
to Green and said he was ready to give
himself up. Green told him to put his
hands up and come out. He said he
would not do this, but wanted Green to
come into the cave. Green said he would
do so if jack promised not to shoot him.
The trapped outlaw promised ard Green
went into the cave unarmed and hand
cuffed his man without resistance and
brought him out.
Ashley. the man who was robbed, iden-
tilted the prisoners as the ones who held
him up and has sworn out complaint.
The prisoners will be taken to the Fresno
Jail to await their preliminary examina-