Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-07

but Ranger Waf0ya lived several hours.
The fight continued, but the posse
realized that the outlaws were practi-
cally safe behind the powders and
sent on to the Blue country for help.
1t was a battle against outlawry
such as is seldom seen. For hours the
posse fired across the great open space
Of Paradise park-a long range for fine
shooting; but they were equal to it
whenever a head appeared above the
rocks. Several hundred shots were
fired, two Of the posse killed and two
members Of the gang wounded. When
the posse was reinforced the outlaws
began to saddle up and get over the
rocks as fast as their horses could car
ry them. Out Of range they made for
the mountains, going in a southerly
direction toward the Chiricahuas. In
the fight two Of them-boys skilled in
shooting and riding-were captured.
They gave their names as Floyd Smith
and George Tinnel, the former being
a son Of 'Bill' Smith, leader of the
gang. There are other Smith boys. one
Of them being fugitive from justice,
having broken Jail in Apache county.
The mother Of the boys is cook at Ira
Harper's saw mill in the Blue River
country.
There are six men in the gang led by
"Bill' Smith. They had large num-
Der Of horses in their possession, which
were afterward captured. The Smith
boys have lived with their mother in
the Blue river country until the past
year, when they Joined their father.
The youngest is but 13 years Of age.
| Captain Burt Mossman, with a band
Of rangers, is now in the Black river
country, and another fight Is expected
to take place at any time. Burt Gro
yer took number Of rangers into the
Chiricahua mountains in an attempt to
escape across the Mexican line. Sher-
iff Ortega, with 10 men, left st. Johns,
in Apache county, to run them down,
and Captain Mossman and his rangers
will be well supported when the fight
takes place.
| A short time ago August Gibbons
and Frank Leseur were killed in the
Black river country in fight with cat
tie thieves. Tafoya, Maxwell, Gibbons
and Leseur were all popular young
men, noted for their bravery. In Is
months six men have been killed by
outlaws in Apache county, among
them ex-Sheriff Beeler. These are the
recent crimes that have made the Ari-
zona legislature sit up and take notice.
Years ago Captain Mossman ran
down Salaveras, the notorious Mexl-
can bandit. That cut-throat had shot
and killed the superintendent Of the
Calico mine. Salaveras was after the
gold, which he knew the superintend-
ent was taking to the mine to pay off
the men. The bandit strapped the bag
Of gold on his horse and struck out
across the desert, heading for Utah.
Mossman was in another part Of the
territory, but Immediately started in
pursuit. Meanwhile Salaveras was
fitting like shadow across the des-
ert. He knew enough about the "Grin-
goes" to feel certain that they would
not let him get away with so much
gold, without hot and desperate hunt.
So he pushed on hurriedly, so hurried
ly that his gold-laden horse gave out
near the head lake Of Paradise valley.
He then made for a water hole and
prepared for business. He buried him
self up to the chin In the mud, SHOW
ing the bags beneath him, and took
care that a broad bunch Of Spanish
bayonet grass should conceal his head.
Mossman, with two Indians, with
their fresh horses, came into sight
three hours later. The dogs with them
gradually nosed their way toward the
bayonet bush. Salaveras crawled out
Of the hole, a gun in each hand, and
opened on the advancing party. He
had hardly risen when Mossman had
him covered. The bandits bullet tore
Mossman's right side. In return he
put a bullet into the bandits chest.
game, shooting to the last. They dug
up the gold, took back the body and
received the reward.
Mossman was asked what plans he
had framed to carry out the orders OF
the legislature and rid the territory
Of its bad men.
First of ALL" he said, well hoe for
the small potatoes-escaped prisoners,
men who have charges pending against
them, and the like. I don't think I'll
have much trouble bringing them In.
I mean business. They know that.
They likewise know me and the men
who are working with me. and they
know we'll get the drop on them. II
they come along easy everything Will
be all right. If they don't, we'll, l just
guess we can make pretty short work
of them. I know most Of them and
the life those fellows are leading in the
mesquite scrub aud land holes to keep
out of reach Of the law Is dogs life.
They ought to thank me for giving
them a chance to come in and take
their medicine. Some Of them Will OBJ
iect, Of course It's quite natural that
they should hang out as long as their
grub and ammunition last. They'll
probably try little gun play as
bluff, but I shoot fairly we'll myself,
and the boys who will back me up are
handy enough with their guns Any
rustler who wants to yank on the rope
and kick up trouble will find he's up
against it."
The bad men" themselves are re-
sponsible for the crusade. 1t was
thought that when Burns was killed
several months ago they would take
'esson from his fate, but week after
his death Monet Pete, full Of firewater
and an Unsuitable hatred Of law and
order turned himself and two revolv-
ers loose on Pecos, a mining camp. Al
ter shooting up the town and killing
Two men. he made his escape. Two