The sun., 1897-08-29
IN AN OUTLAWS COUNTRY.
CATTLE RUsTJ ERs VINO DICTATE
AND OFFICIALS WHO oBEY.


Under the sway OF Murdcrous Bnndits.
DENVER, Aug. 2s.-The cowboy remains ag-
gressive and picturesque in southern New
Mexico and In western Wyoming. Most OF
the desperate characters Of the New Mexico COW
camps are in hiding in the mountains with the
remnants Of Black Jacks band of train rob-
bers and despcradoes. The worst Of the Wyo'
ming crowd.of bronco busters and cattle herd'
ers arc in the crowd OF lawless rufiians VINO
rendezvous In Jackson's Hole. There is a
choice assortment Of bad men occupying hoo-
bers' Roost, in the desert country Of eastern
Utah, who might be included in tho list OF des-
peradoes OF the West
During the roundup season just closed there
have been several exciting incidents In the wy.
oming cattle Districts and for time IL iooKeu
as II the regulars might have to be called OUT
again to restore peace, as they were In the 'onh'
son county cattle war six years ago. IL was
predicted by many that no roundup could be
made in the Hoe.in. the. Wall country this
season without bloodshed, but the roundup has
been made, great many head OF stolen cattle
recovered, and had 1t not been for the timidity
OF tho Sheriff Of johnson county, tho gang OF
despcradoes might have been scattered.
The Hole-in.the-Wall Is a canon with high,
perpendicular walls and beautiful green bot
tom, through which fine stream OF water
hnds Its way throughout the entire year. Ihere
is a high wall Of rock extending for several
miles around the basin, and tho only way OF
getting on top is through the canon passage. on
top OF the wall Is fne mountain grazing coun-
try, comprising a range OF several thousaho
acres. Surrounding tho ledge Of rock walls Is
a rough foothll country covered with brush and
scrubby timber and broken by deep gulches
and isolated rocky peaks. which make it an
ideal region for the gang of thieves who make
1t their permanent headquarters. For several
years they have emerged from this .fastness to
pillage in the settlements and to steal boldly
from the great ranges. Large cumbers OF cat
tie have been driven into the broken country,
to be driven aftcrward in small punches to
the upland grazing range. where, after being
put in marketable form, they have been worked
over gradually into the Big Horn country to
be sold to small butchers shipped to markets
where there inspectors familiar with
Wyoming brands
A ranch at the mouth OF the canon, known To-
cally as the Hole-n the Wall ranch, was owned
by Bob Smith, who was supposed to be ono OF
the leading members OF the gang. Last spring
Kenneth Mcdonald, OF the big stockmen
OF the region. purchased the ranch Of Smith
solely to save his adjacent ranges from con.
tinual pllage. He hoped by the purchase to
cause the gang TO scatter TO some other locality.
With Smith away, the rustlers might not find
the Hole-in, the.Wa ranch a safe refuge when
pursued by deputy sheriffs or bands Of warlke
cowboys.
But Smith did not quit his association with
the thieves and II afterward appeared that the
sale Of the ranch was merely another way Of
cxacting tribute from the cattlemen, for the
thieves expected to make it uncomfortable
for the new owner that he would soon tire Of
l. do call ~,
place back to Smith for small part OF the pur
chase price. Smith was killed last month in a
skirmish between armed cowboys, headed by
Bob Devine, and now the rustlers have sworn
vengeance upon Devine, and he is regarded as
a marked man.
When the final survey of lands in Wyoming
gave the disputed tract Of country in which the
e-inthe-Wall Is located to johnson county,
the authorities telegraphed for the release of
Bob Taylor one OF the rustlers captured in q
former battle between cowboys and the rus
tiers. Taylor at once received place on the X.
G. ranch, where Champion and Ray were killed
in the invasion Of the cattlemen into johnson
county six years ago. when the United States
troops called out to settle the warfare
The X. {. ranch has ever since been suspected
OF having too many varieties of branding irons
and doubtfully branded cattle, and notorious
characters have found occupation there. Dep
relations have occurred ever since on the
ranges, and the authorities Of johnson county
have shown decided lack Of spirit in efforts to
run down the thieves.
Last spring Deputy Sheriff Dean was out
making search for cattle thieves. In a lonely
region he encountered two horsemen who began
a quarrel with him. While he talked with
them man from ambush shot him in the back
At the Coroners inquest no one would volun-
teer Information as TO who had fired the
shot. No arrests were made and no step was
taken to run down the murderers. After this
the thieves grew bolder and openly threatened
death TO any one who should interfere with
at Belle Fourche and were driven off. though
no one was arrested at the time. They made a
long ride over, to Glenwood Springs and held
up a saloon and gambling house, getting a large
sum Of money. They made nm attack upon
party of cowboys of which Bob Devine was
and the rustlers had to fee, leaving Bob Smith
dead on tho field OF battle. Occasionally Off.
GERS have been successful in finding one Of the
party Off his guard at some camp or settlement
and several OF the worst men OF the gang now
lansuish in penitentiaries; The johnson coun-
! contending that no jury In the county would
ever dare to convict and that the money for
admits that this is the sentiment OF the Board
OF County Commissioners OF Johnson county
Fourche F bank robbing attempt @ was made. mac OH ofi
GERS came into johnson county and asked the
Sherih an fSr p posse to go with them into the
refused to grant the request Once he received
warrant for man on Powder River. but in:
stead OF serving it. he hid in the stable and
waited until the man saddled up his horse and
left home then he called at the house and an
nounced his mission.
There are 30 many old grudges remaining
from the cattle war Of six years ago that no one
10 willing to take hand in settling the present
lawless condition in the johnson county range
country. The friends OF the thieves seem to be
In the majority, and the officers elected in the
county appear to befriend the rustlers rather
than the cattle men OF established reputation
SO far has this gone that the financial affairs
OF or the county are In deplorablo state. Taxes
are not paid, there are no revenues to meet or
dinary expenses. and the business of the capital
town OF Buffalo is fast dying away. Not long
ago an official of the county who rendered the
recent roundup party valuable assistance was
ordered by letter TO leave tho county under
penalty OF death should he remain. Ranchmen
In the region tributary TO the Hoe-in-the Wall
country are harassed II they give the least as
sistance or information to officers OF the law or
armed parties Of cowboys seeking stolen cattle.
When the summer roundup season came on
several OF the larger cattle owners of the coun-
try adjacent to the Hole in-the-Wall region de-
cided 70 include that unknown range in their
search for lost cattle. The &. y. Pugsey and
Ogailalla companies combined, and with own
ers OF other brands mustered party OF forty
cowboys OF experience and long acquaintance
with, with the country. With this party went the