The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-18
BOB PAUL, MAN
OF RARE GRIT.
Career Of Famous Fighting
Sheriff Of California.
THE carp BOYS ASSISTED HIM.
-------
Psnk That Bssst the Fury-NinM Who Was
Determined 10 Prsssr Order
In Pima County.
THE carp BOYS ASSISTED HIM.

Robert III. Paul famous as one OF the
lighting sheriffs OF the west, is dead. The
end of his life OF thrilling adventure cam,
| peacefully IN his home IN Tucson, Ari
where he had been spending mis- declining
years in quiet.
For years the name OF Bob" Paul
was identified with the administration OF
law and order in southern California and
Arizona, and his career was one long tale
or peril and adventure
AT the age OF IA Paul embarked as a
cabin boy on q whaler out OF small
Connecticut port on a cruise which took
him out into the Southern Pacific, even
tually around the worald. The first voy-
age so kOindlcd his love OF adventures
he embarked on another cruise, this time
making a circuit Of the seas in the op-
posite direction.
ON the last cruise the whaler put in ~
the port OF Honolulu, for supplies, and
there learned of the discovery Of gold I'm
California. Paul obtained his release
from the captain and took ship for Cali
fornia. landing I'm San Francisco in 1893.
His varying fortunes led him into south .
ern and central California, and then north
again where he was elected sheriff OF Cal
aYares county two terms. and rendered
good service in the suppression OF law
lessness In the later '1Os he went To Art
sona, and in 1881 was elected sheriff OF
Pima county.
Before his election he was Wells Far
go's messenger of the Tombstone stage
line, and 81 was through him that the
service of the famous carp boys were Sc
cured for the suppression OF highway
robbery While sheriff of Pima county
Pauls life was full OF activity and dan
ger. bur his iron nerve never failed him,
and not one charge OF neglect OF duty ap-
pears Oh his record
After his term as a sheriff he was en-
ployed as Wells Fsrgo's detective, and ~
was I'm this capacity that his most nota-
bic exploit occurred
HUNT FOR TRAIN ROBBERS.
on the night of February %. 1883. the
west-bound passenger train on the South
ern Pacific was held up at Stems pass,
near the New Mexican border. by two or
three masked men. The express car and
engine were run Off and the messenger
intimidated into opening the doors and
surrendering the money.
The passenger coaches, fled with
wealthy tourists, were not disturbed by
the robbers. Having obtained their booty,
the men made of on foot in "A southerly
direction. The train was coupled up again
As soon as the news Was TELEGRAPH phed TO
Tucson, posse composed of Marshal
Meade, Len Harris, Wells Fargo detec-
tive; Sheriff Shaw. and four Papago
trailers. and a few others, Immediately
left for the scene and took the trail OF
the robbers.
The posse was two days behind the
robbers, and, owing 90 the haste Of their
departure. poorly provided for the hard
ships OF a winter pursuit across the bleak
At the Palotado ranch. in the province
or Chihuahua, Mexico, Sherif Shaw and
Detective Harris gave out and were
forced Ia return. The rest of the party.
under the command of Under Sheriff Shi-
bell. with two of the Papago trailers,
continued the pursuit
AT this ranch IL was found that three
men We're In the gang OF robbers one OF
whom took no part I'm the robbery. hav-
ing accidentally shot himself i'm the leg
on his way 20 the pass. The trail OF the
neeing bandits led toward the city OF Chi
huahua.
Paul, who was al work on the case I'm |
another direction, found that the bandits |
had outftted for the hold-up AT the CITY \
'f Chihuahua. having been seen there |
~ Detective Thacker some time before.
The men were all well known under the |
names OF Dick Johnson. Dick Hart and |
seary. and had been arrested and tried |
or the Southern Pacific train robbery at |!
'antano In the previous April
Lack or evidence, however. caused their
elease at that time. To Detective Thack-
n. who met them i'm Chihuahua, they
aid they had "come down there TO cut
'eaches,' but investiga ton proved that
hey had purchased arms and horses and
tarted north. So at the city of Chibus-
lua party Of Mexican soldiers assist ted |
" Paul and g. man named Pierce set |
ut Co Intercept them on their way back. |
the posse, which was following the
rail from the north, pressed along az rap
lly as possible, enduring untold hard
hips. once they lost the trail, where a
erd OF cattle had passed over It. but they
ound II again by the aid of Mexican
aqueros.
The trail led TO within three miles OF |
ne city OF Jsnos. but suddenly diverted
ito the mountains. This was a disap-
ointment 10 the posse. who hoped to re-
eive sanction for their mission from the |
lextcan authorities at that place, and
robably aid.
They followed the trail twelve miles
ast Janos, and then returned to the city.
here thsy reported to the customs offi- |
sr. Martinez. and asked his aid In cap
Irins the Offenders. Much To their sur |
rise, they were placed under arrest and
icir guns and horses taken from thon.
BANDIT GANG WIPED OUT.
For days they could get no answers 20 |
leir questions as To the cause OF their |
rest. but at last they were told that
ley were detained for attempting TO de-
aud the customs and entering the prov
ce as an armed body.
They were Informed that they must |
ait for an answer TO a note which Mar
neg had sent TO the authorities at Chi
iehua, during which time they were !
mpelled TO board themselves a. extrav-
rant prices
Fourteen days afterward the posse was
ienarsi. but their stock Of arms were
u returned. and they were compelled 20
'andon the pursuit and return 10 their
,mes
The posse under Paul. however. was
ore successful. Paul located the men at !
ranch not far from chihuahua, where J
: posse Immediately went The bandits
sre surrounded I'm the house. and. bar
aiding the doors, refused TO surrender. (
A. the members OF the ranchers family \
're in the house. nothing beyond .
ockade could be done. The second day, .
wever, the family was released. and !
9 hghtins began I'm earnest =
At first II was confined to iong-ranEe
arp-shooting. az the robbers were too :
intrenched ~ be rushed. 81 4
u. however, the posse succeeded I'm :
ING the house and az the flames got h
yond control OF the ba ndlts they broke q