The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-22

the writer's knowledge this is the FIRST
time that so important type of western
character has been portrayed faithfully
in fiction. In Amos Wckliff we have
&c ideal western sheriff the quiet. mod
est, nervy type of man that has done
such yeoman service in Kidding the west
ern country Of its most dangerous class
of citizens.
The nerviest man in the northwest was
Sherin Orven 7. Moxson, a slightly built
man with a woman's mild blue eyes, who
dressed as an ordinary citizen and wore
Derby hat. In his day the Job of sher-
III was not sinecure, the two score
notches on his gun attested. lie was never
given to boasting of his eVentfu life, but
stories of his wonderful nerve are told to-
day by the old fellows who helped settle
the twin Dakotas. The most remarkable
feat of his career was the capture. sin
gle-handed, Of Stub" Shay and Tom
Quinn, two notorious horse thieves and ALL
round desperadoes, who made miserable
the lives of the settlers who lived near
the Cannon Ball, On Hettinger and Nor
ton counties.
series Of minor depreciation culmi-
mated in a bold raid on the "3-7'' ranch
in which the outlaws got away with the
choicest bunch of horses. Moxson, accom-
panied by three coW-punchers started In
pursuit the following day. The trail fol-
lowed the north bank of the Cannon Ball.
through Hettinger and Morton counties
until 1t turned abruptly to the northwest
az the intersection of the North Fork II
was evident that the outlaws were maxi
ing for the bottom lands of the Missouri
river. Once lost in the maze of the cot
tonwOods, the pursuit would have to be
abandoned. Having Travelled rs miles in
less than two days. the horses were faded.
but they responded to the promptings Of
the spurs, and before sunset of the second
day they galloped through Deer Pass and
halted at the edge of the bottom lands.
There was loud report and a bullet
Wheezed above their heads. Not 300 yards
away was the outlaws camp, and In front
OF the small fire were Shay and Quinn,
with Winchesters at their shoulders
Sheriff MOxson did some heavy thinking
In the space Of a few seconds. II was
useless 20 make "A move forward, for they
had the drop" on him, and he did not
care to sacrifice his two companions need
lessly. Finally he unbuckled his belt ana
flung 1t, with his revolver. to the ground.
Dismounting, he tossed the bride to one
of his friends
Boys" he said, you remain here; and
don't fire until you see me fall"
Then whistling softly 70 himself he
sauntered toward the camp, apparently
heart
Fifty feet more. sheriff. and you're a
dead man." cried Shay.
Moxson hesitated not the fraction of an
instant. The fifty feet were covered and
he walked steadily forward.
For Gods sake, Moxson, go backi We.
don't want 20 hurt you, but wen never
be taken"
The plucky officer took no notice of the
warning. The blue eyes were fixed sternly
on Shay's face Still whistling he strobe
straight to the muzzles of the rifles, brush
ed them aside as n they had been broom
sticks, and In much less time than II takes
for the telling two of the most desperate
men that infested the country were in
irons.
IL was a marvellous exhibition of pure
nerve. as well as an illustration of the DO
tency Of the law. As was expected IN those
days, an effort was made to lynch the OUT
lawns. Nearly two score men from neigh
boring ranges surrounded the one-story
frame building that did double duty as a
Jail and a residence. They made so much
noise that 1t interrupted the poker game
between Moxson and his prisoners. With
two revolvers In his hands he made his
appearance at the door and gave them
sixty seconds to disperse. Then he went
back TO his game and was interrupted no
more that night.
Moxson died three years ago, not with
his boots on" but as peacefully as n his
life had been spent in a.quaker settlement.
Shay and Quinn are serving out their SEN
tence In the penitentiary.