The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-01
make periodical raids on the towns for
their other supplies.

b4AClL OlAST supplies.
Joseph Thayne, an old-time resident
of Emery county, but who is at present
living in this county, was seen last
evening in connection with the above
statement sent from Orangeville. He
says the writer is a man of veracity,
and that he puts the situation in that
section is very mild terms
There is no better place for Rob
bers' Roost' in the whole state,' said
he to a reporter "Fugitives from JUS
tice might be seen within a few hun
| dred yards, and yet the topography of
the country is such that the officers in
pursuit would be compelled to go four
or five miles in a roundabout way be-
fore they would be enabled to reach
their abiding place.
Even when once there, it would be
difficult matter to locate the fellows,
as the formation of the rocks affords
the best hiding places to be found in
the world, while at the same time the
pursued would have the advantage of
the pursuers and the latter could be
picked off one by one, without know
ing where the deadly shots came from.
As stated in the communication, the
gang OF. gangs have left nothing I'M
done, even to the obtaining and use of
smokeless powder. This one thing alone
makes their whereabouts almost indis-
cernible. The officer in pursuit of the
outlaws might hear report, and very
close at hand, but in that kind of a
country he would have no way of de-
termining the location of his assailant,
save by his ear. The man whom he was
in pursuit of would have the advantage
all the time of having him in full view.
For this and other reasons, and I can
not attach much blame to the officers,
the outlaws really do about as they
please. If a sheriff and posse take
their lives in their hands, as they must
do, they may have to foot their own
expenses besides.
None know the situation better than
the renegades themselves, and all their
They know that the county is too poor
to spend much money to effect their
capture, and that the state has shown |
decided unwillingness, admitting that |
it could legally do So to aid the county. |
''As q result, the San Rafael and |
other sections OF Emery county have |
become the rendezvous for as bad a set |
of criminals as ever went unhung-and |
it is a shame and a disgrace that such |
a condition of affairs should exist.
Our people pay their taxes, and they
are entitled to protection"
You saw the story that Kofford and
Nickel were caught at Wilmington,
Del? asked the reporter.
Yes" said Mr.. Thayne, with a smile.
Il did, and while sincerely hoped that
it was true, 1 never had the least be-
lief that is was
well. why?"
Because, in common with many
others who have lived in and around
the San Rafael country, 1 have an
abiding belief that the murderers of
Sheriff Burns are still within the
boundaries of Utah; that, in fact, they
1ever left the state, and that they are
even now among the outlaws men
toned in the letter.
Both Kofford and Nickel have many
friends in that section of the country
Who would give them everything they
needed, and besides these, Kofford has
| host of relatives who do not propose
hat he shall be surrendered to justice
Is long as they can avoid it. All these
,eople know the San Rafael country
ust as we'll as you know Main street, .
md while the officers are making a
Ietour. could warn the murderers of
heir approach.
THAT there is more than one camp
f these desperadoes is bevond all {
oubt. Some people put the number of f
he gang at about u, but there are =
theirs who should know who say there =
re at least $50 fellows who are max
lg their living by preying upon their
elbows. 1t is a question that, in my
pinion. and there are many in my sec I
ion who agree with me, should be
aiken up by the state. 1t is, as l have
aid. a shame and a disgrace that we
hould have been compelled to bear it
s long as we have. 1t i'll becomes
tab newspapers to talk about law
,ssness elsewhere; it ill becomes our
Ulcers to pirate about civilization so
ing as such a reign of terror is allowed
exist in Emery county" :,