The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-10-14
CHAPTER ~

For 4S hours Fort Worth was in tur.
mol. To begin with, the sudden, un-
heralded advent Of department. in-g
spector in those days meant something
ominous, and from Frazier dec to the
drum boys the garrison scented mischief
the moment that familiar old black
hooded, dust covered spring wagon,
drawn by the famous six mule teaal
came spinning in across the mesa just
after retreat. no escort whatever being
in sight Cavalrymen had trotted along
side, said Riggs, from two of the camps
on the way, but they had made that
long days drive from Crockett Springs.
all alone, trusting to luck that the RI
day gang, so called, would not get wind
of it. just who and how many constis
tuted that array Of outlaws no man, in
Guiding its own membership, could ac-
curately say. Two paymasters, two
wagon trains and no end Of mail stages
had been Jumped by those enterpris-
ing road agents in thacourse Of the five
years that followed the war, and NOT,
once had a conviction occurred. Arrests
had been made by marshals, sheriffss
and officers in command Of detach-
ments, but more innocent lot of vic.
TINS, according to the testimony Of
friends and fellow citizens, never dwelts
in Dixie. Three only of their number
had been killed and left for recognition
in the course Of those three years. One
only of these was known, and the Sol
called Friday gang managed to surround
G re kc,o ~.
bership with a mystery that defied civil
officials and baf1led the military. Es-S
corts the size of cavalry platoon had
been needed every time disbursing
officer went to and fro and sizables
squad accompanied the stage whenever
it carried even moderate amount afs
treasure. At three points along the roa,NS
from the old Mexican capital to tho
outlying posts strong detachments DE-
cavalry had been placed in camp, Ia
that relays Of escorts might be on hand
when needed. ~
at three different times within thes
past two years strong posses had goiSS
with the civil officials far into the foot
hillsin search Of the haunts of the band.
but no occupied haunt was ever found,
no band of any size or consequence ever
encountered, yet depredations were in
cessant. The mail stage came and went
with guarded deliberation. The quar-
termaster's trains were accompanied by
at least company of infantry. The
suffers wagons Travelled with the quar-
termaster's train, and the suffers mon1
ey went to San Antonio only when thd
quartermaster and commissary sent
theirs, and then whole squadron had
been known to ride in charge. Anythings.
from q wagon train down to buck.
board was game for the gang, and SOL
diers ranchmen and prospectors told
stories OF having been halted, overhaul.
ed and searched by it's masked members
at various times and whether found !.
plethoric or poor having been hospital
bly, entertained as soon as robbed of All
they possessed. Only four days before
Riggs made his venturesome dash three
discharged soldiers, filed with impa-
thence and whisky, had sought TO RIM
the gantlet to the camp at Crockett,s
and came back III the robbers cast OFF
clothing to take on" for another tern,1
having parted with their uniforms W
the savings Of several years at the
licitation Of courteous strangers
met along the route. Nothing bu
emergency could have brought r
full tilt, for he was getting alon!
years and loved the comforts of hisa =
my home.
Emergency it was, as he explained 10
Frazier instantly Oh his arrival. THE
general had indubitable information
that ranches to the south had long beer
buying government stores bacon. feed,
flour, coffee, etc. The source of lheir
supply could only be the warehouses al
Worth, and Marsden was "swell3
sergeant, whose airs and afiuence had
made him the object of suspicion.
Those were the days when cavalry reg