The times., 1897-08-29
NERVIEST MAN IN NORTHWEST

The neryiest man in the Northwest was
Sheriff orren T. Moxson, a slightly built
man with a woman's mild blue eyes, who
dressed as an ordinary citizen and Wore q
derby hat. nhisday ejOo ofsheriff was
not sinecure, as the two score nOtches on
his gun attested. He was never given 10
bodsting Of his eventful life; but stories OF
bis wonderful nerve are told today by the
old fellows who helped settle the twin Da-
kotas. The ncst remarkable feat OF his
career was the capture. sinsle-handed, OF
stub" s hay and Tom Quinn, twonotorious
horsethieves and alI-round desperadoes
VINO madeniserable thelives ofthe settlers
who lived near the Cannon Bali in Hettin-
ger and Morton counties.
A series OF minor depre,lations cUlni-
mated in bold raid ON the ''3-7'' ranch,
in which the outlaws got away with the
choicest bunch OF horses Moxson, ac-
companied by three cow-pUnchers, started
in pursuit the following day The trail
followed the north bank OF the Cannon
Ball, through Hettiuger and Morton cOun-
ties, until 1t turned abruptly 10 the north
west at the Intersection OF the North
Fork It was evident that the outlaws
were TnakinG for the bottom lands Of the
Missouri River. Once lost in the maze of
oottonwoCds the pursuit would have To be
abandoned. Having travelled 125 miles In
less than two days, the horses Were 1aded,
but they responded to the prompdngs of
the spurs, hut before sunset the second day
they galloped through Deer Pass and halted
at the edge of the bottom lands. There
was a loud report, and a bullet whIzed
above their heads Not 500 yards away
was the outlaws camp, and in front of the
small fire was Shay and Quinn, with Win
ohesters at their shoulders
Sheriff MoNson did 'Sume heavy thinking
in the space of few seconds. 1t was use
less TO make move forward, for they had
the drop on him, and he did not care to
sacrifice his two companions needlessIy.
Finally he unbucKed his belt and flung 1t,
with hisievolver, to the ground. Dismount-
ing, he tossed The bride TO one OF his
friends.
'Foys,~ he said, you remain here, and
cont fire until you see me fan.r'
Then, whistling softly to himself. he
sauntered toward the camp, apparently
taking 10 notice Of the rifles covering hrs
heart.
Fifty feet more, sheriff, and you re-
a dead man." cried Shay.
Moxson hesitated not the fraction Of aa
instant The fifty feet were covered ana
be walked steadily forward.
For Gods sake, Moxson, go backI VIC
t35'l't want TO hurt you, but weII never DO
taken
The plucky officer took no notice OF the
waning The blue eyes were fixed sternIy
on Shay's face. stiII whistline. he strobe
straight 70 the muZzIes of the rifles.
brushed them aside as if they had been
brDonsticks, and in much less time than ie
takes fcr the telling two of the most des-
peTate men that infested the country were
in irons.
1t was a marvellous exhibition Of pure
nerve, as well as an illustration of the
potency of the law As was expected in
those days, an effort was made to lynch
the outlaws.
Nearly two-score men from neighbOT-
| ing ranges surrounded the One-story fr anne
| building that did double duty as u Jail and
a residence They made so much noise that
Uninterrupted poker game between Mox-
| son and his prisoners. With two revoIvers
| in his hands he made his appearance at
| the door and gave them sixty seconds to
| GisperSe. 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 If his
! life had been Spenti1 Quaker settlement
Shay and Quinn are serving ont their SEN
| tcnee in the penitentiary.- Chicago Times.
| Herald