The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-08-12
THE RANKIN BOYS
Notable Family in One Of the
Western States.
"A MEMBER VISITS HONOLULU
Some Rough Life-Contact With
Indians and Desperadoes.
A Brave Woman

Wilson Rankin, who has lately spent |
a month at Wright's villa here, is one |
of the family of Fighting Rankins"
Of Wyoming. Every member of the
tribe Is siX-footer, good rider, a
good shot with six-shooter and rifle,
man of tried nerve. Best of all there
isn't the slightest trace of braggadocia
in one of them. All are quiet, un-
assuming men who gained regulations
on the frontier in years agone because
they were active in the duties Of the
rough and exciting life. Among the
! Rankins known to the writer are
"Jim," an ex-sheriff and mining
man; Joe" ex-deputy United States
Marshal for Wyoming and land
| speculator and cattle owner; Bob,
| an eX-ofiicer and cattleman and
Newt" the same; Wilson is manager
of the big Wyoming cattle ranch of
Ora Haley, one of the best known of
range kings.
Joe Rankin became world-famous In
1879. He made journey on horse
back that Is always mentioned in the
| list of record rides. Joe went out
from Rawlins, Wyo., with Maj. Thorn
burg, U. 5. A., to the White River,
Colo, reservation of the Ute Indians,
who were at that time threatening to
go on the warpath. The command
consisted of but one company OF cav
airy and few civilians in charge Of
pack train. Joe was guide and cour-
Ter. He and Maj. Thornburg, while
riding a short distance ahead OF the
troop, were fired upon by Indians from
ambush. Maj. Thornburg was killed.
Joe was wounded, but managed to get
back to the main body. This was
about o'clock in the afternoon. The
troop was surrounded by Indians. Be-
fore dark all but three of the horses
and mules had been killed and six of
the soldiers had gone to the last sleep,
while a dozen or more were wounded.
The only horse left happened to be
pretty good one. Joe mounted IL AT
midnight, slipped through the circle
of savages and struck for Rawlins, the
nearest telegraph station, distance
147 miles. Joe had three mounts on
the trip and rode each horse to death
He made the ride in twelve hours
Aid for the cavalry company was sum-
moned from Fort Russell, Wyo., where
Col. Merritt, now very important
figure in the army Of the United State:
was in command. Joe Rankin had tC
have rest after the ride and Wilson
the man who left here recently and
jim. then sheriff of Carbon County
Wyo., with Bob. deputy sheriff. were
sent with Merritt as guides, scouts and
couriers.
At daylight after Joe left the Thorn
burg command the Indians fred few
parting volleys and drew away. They
went over to the agency, killed severa
g people there and with the three OF
, four women of the place started
south. This part Of the story may bt
disposed of by saying that through
some maneuvering in the east peace
| was declared and a commission came
= out from Denver Colo, met the In
dams with the women and fixed mat
tiers up. All westerners and the friend!
OF Thornburg, Agent Meeker and thu
e other victims of butchery were indig
nant.
, A lieutenant of Merritt's command
was killed by the Indians after peace
had been declared. He was out scout
= ing with the Rankins and against thei
advice made a wide detour alone anC
$ was picked off from cover. A fin
a hotel at Laramie, Wyo., Is named TO
q Mai. Thornburg.
: While Jim Rankin was sheriff o
l. Carbon County stage and train robber!
were rife. Some men who had wreck
y ed and robbed train were pursued b,
u | hain n n1aln
fight which they won. They intrench
: ed themselves in a favorable position
In the mountains. The leaders OF thi
. lawless gang We're two notoriou
o criminals and fugitives known as "Bi
e Nose George" and Dutch Charlie.
II Vincent and Widdifeld were the name
of two OF the special officers killed Il
the fight. They had bravely led tn
posse. Both were young men OF tn
:, country and were very well liked. j
. time big Nose George" was capture
at Miles City, Mont, and brought t
y y the Rawlins Jail. He was decorate
. with a ball and chain. One evening
g he disabled Bob" Rankin with tn
. heavy ball. Bob.s family residenc
. was in the court house and Jail build
;. ing. His wife heard the noise Of "Bi
% Nose Georges attempt to escape an
!, quickly appeared on the scene with
:, six-shooter. She held the prisoner ii
"a help arrived. Bob Is still alive, bu
has never recovered from the effect
;, OF the blow. big Nose George" wa
taken out of the jail by mob tn
"A next night and hanged at the stock
n yards.
~ Dutch Charlie" was captured at
|, robbers roost within hundred mile
p OF the scene Of derailment Of the trail
- While he was being brought to Raw
g Inns he was taken from the train at
: station called Carbon, about fort
miles from Rawlins, and hanged by
mob. This was in the dead OF wiz
ter. The body was left on the depc
platform all night and was frozen sti
+, when put into a coffin.
y, Mrs. Bob" Rankin was presente
a by the citizens Of Rawlins with a fin
70 gold watch and chain.
g While United States Marshal fo
L 4.