Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-04-17


heard of the capture, and had liquored
up and declared their intention of blow
ing Cunningham to bits. The worst
they did after contemplating the OBJ
vious readiness of Cunningham and
Gibson's rifles, was to curse comped-
iously, and assure the captive that they
would derail the train and get him out.
He was taken to Kentucky, confessed
and got life sentence. 1t was after
ward discovered that before joining the
Hatfield gang, he had murdered thu
three children of man against whom
he had a grudge.
Thereafter whenever Cunningham
was in the southwestern part of the
state, the Hatfields followed him.
That they never succeeded in catching
him would seem to indicate lack of zeal
on their part, difficult to reconcile with
the fervor of their threats. Three
years ago the marshal gave them an
excellent chance to get him, had they
been on the alert. In drunken revel,
they had instituted little sport with
a poor woodchopper named Duffy,
which ended characteristically in their
driving him into a pond, where he was
drowned. His nine-year-old boy they
took to bring up in their clan. Tho
boys uncle heard of it. and advertised
a reward for the recovery of the child
Nobody 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 a house within half mile OF
Devil Anses homestead, grabbed him
up en- his horse and galloped away. II
the Hatfelds followed, he did not know
it, Thus was spoiled an outlaw in the
making,
In Gilbert West Virginia lives Doc
Ellis. well-to-do timber owner.
Against him the notorious Jonce Hat
field had sworn grudge, for some fan
cied grievance, and sent word that he
would kill him on sight. AS it was
a great detriment to Ellis business to
have Hatfield cunning for him, he
hired a crack shot, named Hopkins,
to keep watch for Jonce and shoot first.
Neither Hopkins nor Jonce had any
luck in their shooting when Dan Gun
ningham came to Gilbert, and put up
at Ellis house Ellis told him OF
Jonce's threat.
I've got a little business with Jonce
myself" said Cunningham. Reckon
I'll hang around for few days"
Two evenings later Hopkins came
in and said two men with Winchester2
were laying out in ragwood patch
near the house. One of them he
thought was Jonce Hatfield.
We'll go out and get them" said
Cunningham.
Hopkins was willing and a lumber
man who had dropped in volunteered
to go along. Counting on Ellis the
party was four strong, all armed. But
Jonce had a reputation as dead shot,
had killed dozen men, and he and his
the position. Cunningham led his for
ces out of the house by rear exit, and
around a gully to spot near the rag
weed patch He had made a study of
the ground about the house, previously
and knew just how to so ahead. With
Ellis close behind him he crept up
close to where Jonce crouched. The
outlaw had his gun pointed at lighted
window of the Ellis house, waiting for
figure to show. The curtain was
down. 1t always was in that house,
for just such a reason.
Don't reckon we'll get him tonight, -
the attacking party heard Jonce once
mutter to his companion.
"Shall shoot the d-n murderer
whispered Ellis.
NO" replied Cunningham, 81 want
him alive"
Then he broke over and went
straight for Jonce. The Hatfield
wheeled, but Cunningham's rifle point
ed straight between his eyes. The 9th
er man dropped on all fours scuttled
away through the weeds. Jonce stood
paralyzed.
Hands up" commanded Cunningham
The outlaw hesitated.
Reach for the stars! Quick" came
the sharp order,
The outlaws rifle fell and his hands
went up. Cunningham took from him
a 44-calibre revolver and a fine English
dirk ana left him in charge of Ellis
while he went after the other man
The man was soon found and captured
He was AUX Dameron and as Cunning
ham knew nothing at that time agains
him he was released. This proved tC
be an error for it was afterwards ,founC
that he had broken Jail under sentence
of death for the murder of a deputy
oh crit If I'm VIRGINIA Cuninn oh a m fool