The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-30

lifted UP and containing subsistence
sufficient for months. Thus are the
| bandits enabled to set at defiance all
| the forces of law and order
The outlaws roam the adjacent coun-
| try and smaller settlements without
| molestation, Many settlers purchase
immunity by extending assistance in
various ways, and the robbers even at
| tend country dances and other func-
lions, occasionally shooting up" the
town or INDUCING in other forms of
recreation. 1t is only when closely pur-
sued by officers of the law that they
retire to their mountain retreats.
Clutch" Cassidy, however, by reason
of the price upon his head. considers
the higher altitude more conducive to
his health and seldom ventures into
the towns, unless he is making a raid
or is surrounded by band of his trus-
ty men, in which case he never fears
molestation. AS a killer he has earn
| ed a reputation during the last 10 years
| probably equalled in the west only by
that of wild Bill Hickok, peace to his
ashes.
Few men who knew him would care
to rouse his ire for although a man of
|
his class, he is possessed of fearful
temper. Sometimes it gets beyond his
control, and then he throws all eau
ton to the winds and becomes utterly
reckless
About four years ago he was shot at
from ambush near Green river by a
cowboy known as "Hackey' Hughes,
whose only object was to secure the re-
ward offered by the state authorities
of Utah. The bullet pierced the lobe
of his ear, and the blood streaming
down his face acted upon Cassidy as a
red flag might to a maddened bull.
With a howl Of rage he turned his
horse just as another bullet passed
through the rim Of his sombrero. A
puff of smoke from clump of bushes
showed where the assassin was con-
cealed. For picturesque profanity
Butch" Cassidy hasn't his equal in
the states, and ON that occasion he is
said to have fairly surpassed himself.
Ripping out string of oaths that
would reach from Dan to Beersheba, he
Jumped from his horse and lodged be-
hind bowlder.
He waited for 20 minutes, and then
the cowboy shot the outlaws horse,
which had been grazing in the open.
That was more than Butch" could
stand. Throwing caution to the winds,
he ran toward the clump of bushes
with a pistol in each hand barking at
every step.
But Hughes, considering discretion
the better part of valor, had jumped
on his horse and succeeded in making
good his escape. But the vindictive
nature of Butch" Cassidy asserted it.
self. He had recognized his assailant,
and every member of the band receiv-
ed instructions to be on the watch for
him. Hughes left the Green river coun-
try, and it was not until six months
later that he was located, on the north
fork of the Powder river, up in wy
oming.
Cassidy was notified, and with doz-
en- picked men he reached the ranch
where Hughes was working. 1t was
during the spring roundup. The two
men met face to face Hughes knew
what was coming and pulled his gun.
But he wasn't quick enough. Cassidy's
pistol cracked first, and the cowboy
dropped from his saddle with bullet
through his right eye.
LHdL . tlG way L StINt tl1y ShuIlh
that tries to shoot me in the back" re-
marked Cassidy III any of his friends
want to take UP the quarrel, I'm
ready"
But If the dead cowboy had any
friends they failed to respond. Butch"
Cassidy was well known, and it wasn't
safe to pick quarrels with him. So he
rode away with his escort, cursing the
cowboys for, a pack of cowardly
coyotes.
Cattle stealing is the chief source of
income to Cassidy and his followers.
One company alone in central Utah has
lost 1000 head during the past two
years, worth at the present price $780,
900. These were driven through Color
40 and into New Mexico. 1t is in driv-
ing these stolen cattle from one state
to another and out of the country that
their system of cooperation is bene-
fetal.
However, any operation that promis-
es adventure and financial reward is
never overlooked. Trains are held up,
express companies and banks are rob-
bed, and even indfSiduals, when known
to have money in their possession are
relieved of their possessions in true
road agent style.
There are women among these out
laws, too, who ride with them on their
wild forays and take pride in their as
ISOLATION with these bold and daring
freebooters. Even Calamity Jane" in
the old days of her association with
"Deadwood Dick" could not surpass
these picturesque females in their wild
career. H
About year ago Butch" Cassidy
and "Bill' Ferguson, one of his trusted
lieutenants, dashed into the town of
Price in broad daylight, held up the
paymaster of the coal company and
rode off with $4,000 before the crowd of
bystanders realized what had happen
ed. This is but sample exploit
Bank robberies are but side issues
with them; merely incidental to their
grand chief occupation of cattle-steal-
ing. If a victim resists or an officer
pursues murder is regarded as a pro-
fessional duty, to be cheerfully per-
formed, but they are not given to wan
! ton slaughter. In several instances
foolhardy officers who have invaded
, their strongholds have been disarmed,
dismounted and sent home.
An instance of this kind occurred just