Arizona republican., 1901-11-08

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 the younger brother appeareI | in St. Johns for supplies and before leaving made casual inquiries regard ing the whereabouts of Henry Barrett, a prominent 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 ard Carlos Tofolla. members of the ranger company, who had been stationed at St. Johns by Capt. Mossman. knowing he would nave need of them ther.' within very few days.
 The posse knew full well the men they were going after. Bill Smith. tn" leader. had broken jail at St. Johns three years previous ana locked the jailer in his own cell. They were men wno would fight and were sure shots
 The posse left St. Johns, going ;a Springerville, and there took the trall of the horse thieves. On the afternoon
  thieves camped on Reservation creek. in the northern part of Graham coun- ty. In the camp at the time was a bloodhound which belonged to Bill Smith, and at the approach of the posse he gave the signal, when the younger brother picked up his rifle and ran up the side of me hill. Maxwell and Taf- foIla opened fire. The younger brother ran back along the hill about forty feet and laid down behind pfne tree. Max well called on the other two men in camp. who had made preparations foi' supper, to surrender. Bill Smith an swered back: All right. Which way do you want us to come out?" Come right out this way" answered Maxwell. Bill Smith started towarA the posse. at the same time dragging his rifle behind .-im so that it could not be seen. When he had reached a point directly oppo- site the posse he dropped behind a tree and opened fire on Maxwell and Ia folla, who were the most exposed of the posse. Then the fight became gen eral. Tafolla and Maxwell were both killed. Two of the outlaws received wounds. the bloodhound was shot and the trees on all sides were filled with bullet holes. The fight occurred just about dusk. Darkness came on and OuIldWS GSCdpeu- ledNlHS lDciI camping outfit, horses. saddles. brides. etc.
 Captain Mossman, who was at Solo knoxville 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 afoot 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. in Bear valley, and, exhibiting a roll of bills of large denominations, wanted u buy horses and saddles McKean re- fused to sell. and the outlaws took 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 ranger.
 When the posse reached the ranch a heavy storm had set in and all sign of the trail was lost.