The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-08

driving him into a pond, where
he was drowned. His 9-year-old boy they
took to bring up in their clan. The boys
uncle learned of 1t, and advertised re-
ward for the recovery of the child. No
body came forward to apply for the job
until a friend suggested that Mr.. Duffy
write to Dan Cunningham. That official
took three days off, rode alone into the
Hatfield settlement, found the boy at
house within half mile of Devil Anse
homestead, grabbed him up on his horse,
and galloped away. If the Hattields fol-
| lowed, he did not know it. Thus was
spoiled an outlaw in the making.
In Gilbert, West Virginia, lives Doc FL
lis, a well-to-do timber owner. Against
him the notorious Jonce Hatfield had
sworn a grudge, for some fancied griev-
ance, and sent word that he would XIII
him on sight. AS 1T was a great detrl-
ment to Ellis business to have Hat
field cunning for him, he hired crack
shot named Hopkins to keep watch for
Jonce and shoot first. Neither Hopkins
nor Jonce had had any luck in their
shooting when Dan Cunningham came to
Gilbert, and put up at Ellis house. Elils
told him of Jonce's threat.
i've got a little business with Jonce
myself" said Cunningham. Reckon III
hang around for a few days"
Two evenings later Hopkins came in
were lying out in a ragweed patch near
the house. One of them ne thought was
Jonce Hatfield.
Wen go out and get them" said Cum
bingham.
Hopkins was willing and a lumberman
who had dropped in volunteered to go
along. Counting in Ellis the party was
four strong, all armed. But Jonce had
a reputation as a dead shot, had killed
a dozen men, and he and his companion
had ell the advantage of the position.
Cunninghm led his forces out of the
house by a rear exit, and around by
gully to a spot near the ragweed patch
He had made a study of the ground
about the house previously, and knew
just how 10 go ahead. With Ellis close
behind him he crept up close to where
Jonce crouched The outlaw had his gun
pointed at a lighted window of the Ellis
house, waiting for a figure to show. The
curtain was down, it always was in that
house. for just such a reason.
Don't reckon we'll get him to-nifiht,' -
the attacking party heard Jonce mutter
to his companion.
Shall 1 shot the d-n murderer"
whispered Ellis.
FNo," replied Cunningham. "I want
him alive"
Then he broke cover and went straight
for Jonce. The Hatfield wheeled, but
Cunninghams rife pointed straight be-
tween his eyes. The other man dropped
on all tours and scuttled away through
the weeds. Jonce stood paralyzed.
Hands up" commanded Cunningham.
The outlaw hesitated.
Reach for the stars! Quck! came the
sharp order.
The outlaws rifle fell and his hands
went up. Cunningham took from him a
H-calibre revolver and a fine English dirk
and left him in charge of Ellis while he
went after the other man. The man was
soon found and captured. He was AUX
Damerson, and as Cunningham knew
nothing against him at that time, he was
released. This proved to be an error, for
it was afterwards found that Cameron
had broken Jail under sentence of death
for the murder of deputy sheriff in Viz
ginia. Cunningham took Jonce Hatfield
to Kentucky, where he broke down and
confessed. He is now serving a life SEN
tence for the murder of the Mccoy chill
dren. Naturally that made the Hatfelds
more savage than ever against Cunning
| ham, and they redoubled their threats.
| Now, whenever he is in that country he
gets warnings that bands of mounted
Hatfields are following him. But, as be-
| fore they don't catch up. He holds the
| clan in contempt.
IF they can get you foul, they'll kill
you, ne says But IN the open they are
4 all cowards.' H--s~
| 1t is not part of Cunningham's duty
| as a federal officer to hunt Hatfelds. He
| does it as he would hunt rattlesnakes,
| and as his warrants for "moonShine'
whisky distillers often take him to the
Hatfield country he is likely to get more
of them. Cunningham is not the sort of
man that one would care to have on his
| trail He is more than six feet tall, broad
| in proportion, beautifully muscled, pos
sessed of catlike agility and as swift as
| he is sure with rife or revolver, and in
| that country swiftness is a necessary
accompaniment of sureness. He is always
in the hardest of training; as he neither
drinks smokes or chews. In manner and
appearance, he is quiet and unostenta-
tious, and when going about the country
is commonly taken for an itinerant cler-
! gyman.