Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1901-11-13
THE RANGER FIGHT.
Capt. MosSman's Account of the Meet
 ing With the Bill Smith Gang.

Capt. Burton Mossman of the Ari zona rangers arrived here yesterda, morning from Bisbee, where he spen
 day after returning from the pur
 suit of the Bill Smith gang of out
 laws in Graham county. The out
 laws were followed until the trail
 was lost and it has since been learned
 that they escaped into Old Mexico
 Captain Mossman furnishes the first
 complete story of the incident, which
 is as follows:
 A few days previous to October S.
 Bill Smith and his two brothers were
 seen near Springerville travelling
 south with a bunch of stolen horses.
 On or about October 6 the younger
 brother appeared in St. Johns for
 supplies, and before leaving made casual inquiries regarding the where abouts of Henry Barrett, promin- ent cattleman in that vicinity who has more than once made it warm for the Smith boys.
 When Barrett heard of the return of the horse thieves with stolen horses he organized a posse to go after them. That posse was composed of Henry Barrett, Hank Sharp, Bill Maxwell, Arch Maxwell and Duane Hamlin and Carlos Tofolla, members of the ranger company, who had been stationed at St. Johns by Capt. Moss man, knowing he would have need of them there within a very few days.
 The posse knew full we'll the men they were going after. Bill Smith, the leader, had broken jail at St. Johns three years previous and locked the jailer in his own cell. They were men who would fight and were sure shots.
 The posse left St. Johns, going to Springerville, and there took the trail of the horse thieves. On the after noon of the Sth the posse overlook the thieves camped on Reservation creek in the northern part of Graham county. In the camp at the time was a bloodhound which belonged to Bill Smith and at the approach of the party he gave the signal, when the younger brother picked up his rife and ran up the hill. Maxwell and Taffolla opened fire. The younger brother ran back along the hill about forty feet and laid down behind pine tree Maxwell called on the other two men in camp, who had | made preparations for supper. to sur render Bill Smith answered back: All right. Which way do you want | us to come out?" Come right out this way" answered Maxwell. Bill | Smith started toward the posse, at | the same time dragging his rife be- hind him so that it could not be seen. When he had reached a point direct ly opposite the posse he dropped be- hind tree and opened fire on Max well and Tafolla, who were the most exposed of the posse. Then the fight became general. Tafolla and Max we'll were both killed. Two of the outlaws received wounds, the blood hound was shot and the trees on all sides were filled with bullet holes. The fight occurred just about dusk. Darkness came on and the outlaws leaving their camping outfit, horses, saddles, brides, etc.
 Capt. Mossman, who was at Solo, monville when the fight occurred, with three more rangers, went to the scene of the fight as soon as notified. For eight days they kept the outlaws lfoot in that country. About dawn of the 17th they appeared at the Thomas roundup camp and made the cook get them something to eat.
 A few days later they put in an ap- pearance at Hugh McKean's ranch, n Bear valley and exhibiting a roll of bills of large denominations, want ed to buy horses and saddles. Me Kean refused to sell and the outlaws iook the saddles and horses anyway, saying they had been afoot long enough and were being pushed by the rangers. Bill Smith said he was sorry he had killed Maxwell, but was glad he had killed a ranger.
 When the posse reached the ranch l heavy storm had set in and all sign )f the trail was lost Republican,