The Anaconda standard., 1899-03-26
He HAS BEEN A TERROR
Utah Has a Band of Brigands
Hard to Deal With.
TO BE BROKEN UP SOON
Tom Mccarthy Is at the Head of a
Gang of All-Around Thieves and
Thugs Who Will Have to Be
Wiped Off the Earth.

protected by towering precipces and
yawning canyon is the luxuriously fur
nished, electric lighted fastness of
band of robbers which has for years
terrorized a great part of three states,
and on the heads of whose members is
set price, "alive or dead"
The legislature of the state of Utah
Mccarthy gang of bandits and cattle
thieves must be broken up. A bill pro-
viding an appropriation for the purpose
of hunting the men down has passed
the second reading, with all chances for
enactment into law.
This bill sets aside the sum of S. 900
with which a war to the death is to be
launched against the members of one
of the most notorious bands of murder
ers and cutthroats known to the history
of America. 1t is proposed that the
dealings with the robbers, who have
held portions of three states in abject
terror for three years, and whose agents
are scattered the length and breadth of
the land, will be as harsh and merciless
as those used by the outlaws them
selves. They may be invited to surren-
der to submit to the punishment their
crimes deserve, and those who refuse
and defy the officers will be hunted
down and dealt with through the per-
suasion of powder and ball.
1t has been generally acknowledged
for some time that ordinary methods of
procedure will not do with the men
who lawlessly reign in the heart Of the
Blue mountains, or Roam ridge. They
are not inclined to submit to the law in
any extremity, for they are all amen
able for the greatest of crimes, and will
probably die fighting rather than be
taken and compelled to submit to trial
before a court.
Little over year ago, as will be re-
membered, three governors-Adams of
Colorado, Wells of Utah, and Richards
of Wyoming-entered into arrange
ments whereby the militia of the three
states were to be.sent against the rob-
bers. Plans were made and the matter
was well under way when the first signs
of hostility between this country and
Spain were heralded. The brave boys
We're needed against a greater and more
than local foe, and the repression of
the outlaws was laid for time upon
the gubernatorial shelf. Perhaps it was
WELL judging by the tales of the gang
and its strength which are current
In fact it has been decided by the
administration of Utah that the SOL
diers are not the agency which can
combat and overcome the Mccarthy
brigands or make the attempt with the
best chance of success. The movement
of a body of troops and a military
campaign. would be too much like an
open book for the eyes of the vigilance
of this band, which has long ago taken
precautions against such a move on
the part of outraged justice.
The people of America, excepting
those who are acquainted with the his
tory and methods of the Mccarthy
band, will probably smile incredulously
when told there exists within the
bounds of their nation an organization
of criminals held in absolute control
by a man whose genefalship, inventive
ability and remarkable personality are
equal to many of the most famous gen
erals of olden and modern times: a
man whose exploits make those Of
Jesse James and leaders of his stripe
seem like child's play, and whose in
fiuence is felt not only in the territory
he harasses, but in the marts of the
greatest American cities. Will not the
smile change into a look of wonder
when 1T is told that the men under the
government of this king of bandits live
in fortress more impregnable than the
walled city of Acres, or the Rock of
Gibraltar; whose natural protection is
enhanced by artificial means in keep
ing with the most fantastic dreams Of
Jules Verne, and whose interior, in it's
rich and gorgeous fittings would turn
green with envy the owner of the fa-
bled cave of Monte Cristo? And, yet,
these things are told, and almost prov
en-, by men of veracity. Few, indeed
1,n -t-,y era 4 I,,4 Il a
were able to conquer the fear they felt
at the power of Tom Mccarthy, swear
to stories which received often the
laugh of incredulity.
The people have come to the conclu-
sion that the only way to deal with the
gang is through men as wary as they.
The posses to be sent against them will
not besiege the rocks which hold the
gang, but they will depend more upon
killing the members one by one as thay
venture out for supplies They will try
to invest the place and starVe out the
outlaws. They may be successful, but
1t will not be done, according to the
judgment of people who know in a
few days or weeks. 1t Is generally be-
leved that there will be bloodshed on
both sides before the object of the leg
islature is accomplished.
Tom Mccarthy, the leader of the Blue
Mountain robbers, or the 'Hole in the
Wall Society,"" as it is often called, has
been called the Napoleon of the out
slawry. His origin is in doubt, but it
is known that he is wanted in several
parts of the country for crimes of un-
usual atrocity. His appearance is any
thing but prepossessing. He is about
five feet six inches in height and weighs
about It's pounds. His forehead is mar
row and forbidding, and covers deep
set, gray eyes. A fold of fat curls
over the point of his chin. His mouth
is wide and his teeth are irregular. His
nose is a pug and his ears are turned
forward.
: With a small following Mccarthy
Sperpetrated several mail and express
robberies a number of years ago on
stage coaches over the Utah desert and
in the mountains. It was his first ap-
pearance in the country in this role,
and before long his daring exploits
gathered about him choice company
of criminals from the neighboring
states and territories. After moving
sabout considerably, always pursued by
20 l1.a 81, Nc catt laI