The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
THE SILENT MAN KILLED.
4 LYNCHING PARTY CONDUCTED BY
DAVE MATHES.

| WipinE Out of the Henry GanR-Depo-
sition of the Man Killer from once.
ITO THE SUNS recent story entitled "A Holt
day at Las Vegas in which Mysterious Dave
| Mathes figured. l can add some history
| which will further illustrate the nerve and I'M
| scrupuous cunning Of that silent man Killer"
said n man from New Mexico now visiting New
York. was one Of the party that went out
under his command after the survivors OF the
Henry gang on the day following the killing Of
Joe Carson. the City Marshal. Dawes pistol
had accounted for two OF the gang in the dance
hall-Big Randall was dead and Jim West lay
MORALLY wounded in the jail-and had wounded
Tom Henry Burt Henry and Dorsey. the cook
OF the gang were still at large. though
we knew pretty we'll where to 60 for
them. We rode out Of the Las Vegas
plaza In the gray OF the December morn
ing. feeling that our work was cut out
for us and that there might be casualties
among us before our return. Tom Henry's
desperate character was we'll known. and with
his life already forfeited through the murder
OF Carson II was reasonably certain that he
would sell 1t dear. 1t took two hours for our
horses hoofs to hammer out the twelve miles
OF frozen trail that led to the outlaws rendez-
vous and the sun was an hour high when we
came in sight OF the shack that sheltered
them. 1t was built of logs chink ed with mud.
and loopholed. and 1t commanded clear view
OF more than 500 yards in every direction!
The outlaws were at home. for sitting in the
open doorway. with Winchester rifle in his
hands was Tom Henry. waiting to receive us.
Mysterious Dave. the leader OF our party.
had said no word to indicate what he proposed
to do to dislodge the outlaws from their strong
hold. To attempt to storm the cabin in the
face OF Henry with his repeating rifle would
mean the certain loss OF several OF our party.
with failure perhaps in the end. To sit down
to starve the outlaws out meant a long siege.
which would have involved great exposure and
suffering to the besieging party. We all looked
to our silent leader. who rode steadily on. CIV
ing no order to halt until we had gone full
hundred yards into the open space. expecting
every moment to see Henry get to work with
his Winchester. Here Mathes dismounted.
laid his rife and pistols on the
ground. and telling us to wait started
on foot. unarmed. toward the cabin
where the man whom he had wounded sat
covering him with rifle. AS an exhibition OF
stra ght-out nerve 1t took our breath away.
and none Of US would have waRered two bits
on the chance OF his getting through the bust
ness alive. Once the outlaw raised his Win
chester as il to shoot. but Mathes only held up
his hands above his head and walked straight
on. Near the door OF the cabin he stopped.
quarter of AN hour. What passed between them
none OF US ever knew positively. but Henry
and Dorsey both said what Mathes never de-
MED. that he promised them protection against
lynchlnR and fair trial in the courts. The
parley ended with the appearance Of Dorsey at
the door and the three men started for us.
Henry walking, with difficulty. and supported
At this plain evidence Of surrender we rode for
ward to meet them. though scarcely able to be-
m So II don
horses and the party returned to Las Vegas
with the prisoners. riding slowly on account Of
placed in Jail. in the same cell where Jim West
lay dying. and our party dispersed.
Among the people of Las Vegas the feeling
was very strong against the outlaws. and there
much Ea talk thr9 R The day that they
evening there was strange quiet in the town.
Men talked in an undergone AS they drank at
tables. the dsnSS-haIi girls lolled about part
nerless. and everywhere there was the air
dark little groups began to gather at the cor
ners about the plaza. and they grew larger
Streets until at midnight hundreds ON" OF peopIe
were, waiting Few or none of the crowd
could have named The source OF the infoTma-
FERROUS Dave would act as master OF cere-
mo NONE, at q neektie party on the plaza that
AT he old adobe Jail. fronting the plaza at
its northeast corner all was dark and still un: !
i. az mnrmur went H round the 81 plaza There
they come. Out from the narrow street that
led along the east wal! Of the lail procession
and took their wav toward the windmill. which |
stood above the town well near the centre Of
man who walked painfully. and four Others |
carried a litter. on which rested something |
the party halted. the litter was set
down. and man threw the end OF rope up |
frame Of tho structure. MySteriOua
Dave deity tied a hankman's knot at the end
Of the rope and turned to the men about the
stand him up he said
Two OF the men lifted the wounded boy.
between sst them while Mysterious Dave careiuiy
adjusted the knot to bis neck; Half delirious.
.. Why did Mt YOU think Of your mother last
night. you damned baby ? said Mysterious
dozen sn Ga h SP eSys the rope and Jim
West dangled in air below the cross beam; The
End q r9ye medH fast to post, ssP
above. Mathes turned to Dorsey. who was
covering in the hands Of the lynchers.
ing the end OF a second rope as he spoke.
crying. and protesting his innocence. the I'M
,iathes stood. Working STimiy at the Knot,
There were those In the party who had not
the hob Of ho bag Sasns and
Dorsey deserved death for his mart in the
ragedy Of the night before. which consisted in
|
nall after the shooting. Whether from fear OF
Weakening in his party or from the difficulty
Ia found in making knot in new rope that
would hold. Mysterious Dave threw down the
oPe. stepped back pace and drew his re-
oliver.
- Get your guns ready boys. he said. Now.
III together. Turn her loose
Half dozen pistols cracked together. and
)orsev's loud suppcatons for mercy ended
hort as he went down in heap. dead before |
lie struck the ground. Held up by two men |
'om Henry had watched the death Of his two |
grinding his teeth in helpless rage, |
nut saying no word. Now. before Mathes could |
i've his orders concerning him, he spoke to |
he men supporting him or his feet.
''' Stand me up against that post he said. |
mo one lntcrfered as the two men helped |
lin forward to one of tho posts of the wind |
lll and placed him against it, with his face to
he lynchng party. Braced against the post. |
e looked Mt tn" band OF men waiting their
rders with drawn pistols. and at Mathes, |
humbing his revolver with the air OF a man |
Tho thinks that time is being wasted.
-" I've no layors 10 ask Of YOU, Dave he said. |
You promised me protection and a fair trial. |
nd you've lied to me. It's all right | ought
} have killed you when had the drop on you
nd | let the chance GO i
Among the lynchers was one known as Cur I
:. whom Henry knew. and he spoke to him.
" Curly. he said. | want clean Job made
I this business Iwant YOU TO blow the top OF i
y no nH STR m i'm alF no ,