Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-24
LONG CHASE AFTER ROBBERS
Frank A. Hyatt's Visit to Santa Fe,
After An Absence of l6 Years. Re
calls the Pursuit and Arrest
of the Allison Gang.
ARRESTED HIMSELF FOR KIDNAPPING
Allison, Perkins and Watts, Once the
Terror of Southern Colorado, Serve
Term in Penitentiary and Are
Now Peaoeable Citizens.

The good old times of the 70's and
SOS in the western states and territories
have gone, aud the stirring events of
those days are now in great measure
only "reminiscences. The printed pages
of history record many of the acts of
bravery performed by the men who
helped bring vast empire under law
and order, but many more have escaped
the pen of the historian, and are only oc-
casionally heard of through their relation
by an eye witness, or some one who re-
members them through personal 40.
quaintance with the principal actors.
Sixteen years ago one of the most daring
gang of desperadoes of those days was
arrested and broken up in Albuquerque,
by the efforts and bravery of one man,
and the event was almost forgotten, until
yesterday, when Mr.. Frank A. Hyatt of
Alamosa, Colo, came to Santa Fe to visit
old time friends. Mr.. Hyatt has been
deputy sheriff of Conejos county, Colo,
for 10 years, and to him, as an officer and
fearless man ia due the credit of Kidding
the southwest of the Allison gang.
PURSUIT AND ARREST OF ALLISON.
In the early part of 1881 Charles ALI
son, Lewis Perkins and Henry Watts, then
banded together and known as the Allison
gang, were terrorizing southern Colorado
They became so daring that IN western
Coneios county they held up five stages
nj ha tpw f,f
Springs and Chama in New Mexico in
broad daylight. After the Chama raid
they made their way into New Mexico
and it was then that Mr.. Hyatt took {
hand in the game.
Gov. Pitkin, of Colorado, offered a re-
ward Of 81, 900 for Allison's capture anG
$3.50 each for Perkins and Watts. To this
Gov. Sheldon, of New Mexico, added $4bt
more. Gov. Pitkin asked Hyatt if he
would follow and arrest them for the re-
ward, and when ar affirmative reply was
made, q warrant was issued by District
Attorney @. d. Hayt, now chief Justice OF
the Colorado supreme court at Denver
and Hyatt started after the much wanted
men. He followed the trail from Chamt
south almost to Albuquerque, where al
|
place he decided that by some means hi
had gotten ahead of the Allisons, ant
made his plans to catch them there. Sc
curing men to watch the bridge over the
Rio Grande near town he took train te
| Bernalllo, where there was another bridge
for he was satisfied that Allison, Perkins
and Watts would CROSS to the east side oil
the stream at one or the other of the two
bridges.
On reaching Bernalillo, Hyatt went into
restaurant to get breakfast, and while
eating, the men he was looking for came
in and sat down at the same table with
him. Az they entered no was telling an
old man that he was cattleman from
Trinidad, and asking when the next trair
north would be due. But the deception
did not work. Allison recognized Hyatt
alta glance, and made ready for trouble bJ
and placing them in his lap as he sal
down. Hyatt knew at once that the hun
ter had become the hunted, and for mo
ment or two did some rapid thinking
Finishing his breakfast he paid the bill
passed out of the door right by three
horses branded and marked to tally will
description then in his pocket, but hi
did not stop to make an inspection, as il
was getting rather warm for him in that
particular part of Bernalillo. Dodglng
behind an adobe wall he made quick time
to the little stone depot, where he could
keep sharp lookout, and if necessary
nse his own six-shooter to good advant
age. Soon after reaching the depot the
three men came out of the restaurant
mounted their horses, and after satisfy
ing themselves the road was clear, rode
off in the direction of Albuquerque. Hy.
att then telegraphed his men at Albuquer
que that Allison, Perkins, and Watts
were coming, and that no would follow.
At this point another difficulty present
ed itself. The men he wanted to follow
we're on horseback, while he was on foot
and what was worse he had only two OF
three dollars with him. A horse coulc
not be borrowed, to buy one was out Of
the question horses we're not sold or
credit to strangers in 1881. Finally hi
met a Mexican driving fine team OF
horses, and an arrangement was made
whereby they were to 60 together, eaot
riding horse, and when Albuquerque
was reached 800 was to change hands,
Well, to cut a long story short, the TRIP
was made to albuquerque without further
trouble, but to get Allison, Perkins and
Watts into the town where they could be
arrested was the next question--his dis
patch had not found the men who we're tc
watch them, and it was sheer foolishness to
attempt the arrest by himself. But for.
tune favors the brave, and the way was
made clear for Mr.. Hyatt.