Omaha daily bee., 1897-07-24
MOXSON,s COLD NERVE.
How He Captured, SinEIe-Handed,
Two Noted Outlaws.

HOW He Cnptureu, nEie-Hnnue
Two Noted Outlaws.
The ~nerviest man in the northwest was
Sheriff Orren Il. MoXson, X slightly built
man with a woman's mild blue eyes. who
dressed as an ordinary citizen and wore a
derby hat. In his day, relates the Times
Herald, the job of sheriff was not a sine
cure, as the two score notches on his gun at
tested. He was never given to boasting OF
his eventful life; but stories of his wonder
full nerve are told today by the old fellows
most remarkable feat of his career was the
capture, single handed. of Stub" Shay and
Tom Quinn, two notorious horse, thieves and
ali-round desperadoes, who made miserable
the lives of the settlers who lived near the
Cannon Ball in Hettinger and Morton coun-
ties.
A series of minor depredations eliminated
n a bold raid on the 81, ranch, in which
bnnoS Su Of Iers sot a Moxyyon wi aecd tine fho5c9 bx
three COW punchers, started in pursuit the
following day, The trail followed the north
and Morton. counties, until ii turned abruptly
to the northwest at the intersection of the
y ws w e0rk mak ki vas for EVIDENT Iha hot that the ad out It.
the Missouri river. Once lost in the maze of
eottonwoods the pursuit would have to bA
less than two days, the horses We're jaded,
but they responded to the p%romptings of the
they galloped through Deer pass and halted
at the edge of the bottom lands. There was
E ibe LOUD ba report N and s e bullet SarSt wheezed above
49, ii'aAis AN'i W yutdo away WAS IHE
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. 1t was use
less to make a move forward, for they had
the drop 'on him, and he did not care to
sacrifice his two companions needlessiy.
Finally he unbuckled his belt and flung it,
with his revolver, to the grounds. Dis
mounting, he tossed the bride to one of
Boys" he said, you remain here; and
don't fire until you see me fan"
Then whistling softly to himself, he saun-
no notice of the rifles covering his heart,
FIFTY feet more, sh ecif, ami you're a
dead man., cried Shay,
instant. The nifty feet were covered and he
walked steadily forward.
For Gods sake, MoSson, so back We
don't want to hurt you, but We'll never be
taken"
The plucky office took no noti,e of the
on shay's face. sthi whistling, he strobe
straight to the muzzles of the rifles, brushed
them aside as, II they had been broomsticks,
ana In much less time than 1t takes for the
infested the country Were in irons,
II was a marvellous exhibition OF pure
P PeIsesy as Of w the fs an Al tlIaS Wss eHpec qd 'G Is
those days, an effort was male to lynch tne
outlaws, Nearly two score men from neigh
frame building TiTirs ffir0S dii dou'Saiee i Ses-t as q
jail and a residence. They mada 30 much
noise that 1t interrupted the poker game
two revolvers in his hands ne made mis-
appearance at the door and gave them sixty
seconds to disperse. Then ne Went hack
to his game and was interrupted no mole
Moxson died three years AGO, not with his
boots on but as peacefully as II his life
Shay and Quinn are serving out their sen
tence in the penitentiary.