Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1902-07-25
Old Sketches.
RUSSIAN bill.

Bill, was member Of the San ri.
mon rustler gang, which flourished
in Western Grant county during
the boom days Of the early eighties
he WAS nobleman by right Of birth
his mother being a countess and
immensely wealthy. He was man
OF education, n linguist, and he had
all the outward appearance Of a
gentleman. He was perfect spe-
cimen OF physical manhood and
had no seen fit. might have been a
useful member Of society. Why
he left the comforts OF \ refined
home, with all the surroundings Of
wealth, is beyond the comprehend
bility OF the writer, but why he
should have associated himself with
= hand Of outlaws, to live the life
Of a hunted man, is beyond human
ken. He was never considered q
really bad MAI, and his connection
with the rustler gang WAS moro In
the capacity OF hanger on than
as an actual member. He WAS not
even trusted or consulted by thu
leaders when planning any despsr-
ate venture. for he WAS considered
A. lacking the sand to make fight.
He had been accused OF stealing
horses belong ing to the pr, spectors,
hut aside from this no serious charge
had been mnde against him. Oilic.
ers were on the lockout for him,
tits true. but put themselves to no
serious incon nvenience TO hunt him.
He was finally run 10 earth by Sher-
If II. II. Whitebill, who, coming
up to Lordshurg from Dsming one
lay in 1881, happened to look out
of the coach window Az the train
neared Sepsr. The sheriff. AZ the
ram pulled up to the water tank,
'aw n nan susplclously dodge into
hs lnmp house, and when the
rain came TO a standstill Uncle
Harvey went into the pump room
md after looking around awhile he
discovered Bill slowed away in the
'orner He yanked him out and
ook him to Lordsburg. Bill show
d no fight whatever, in fact he
eemed to be utterly cowed. There
,eing no jail at Lordsburg, the
prisoner was taken TO Sh.kspere,
where Sandy King, ono OF his pals,
vas already In custody. The &C.
ond night after his incarceration. !
committee Of the citizens waited
n Russian Bill and Sandy King. |
nd taking them from the jall, es.
orted them To the old Shnkppere |
Iotel, at that time unoccnpied, and
10Th were strung up To Que of the
alters in the front room. The
My witness 10 the crime then aud
here committed. was a tramp news
10Y, who had made n bed 10 pile
I rubbish in one corner. He was
old "a keep still and cove. up bis
cad. which it IL needless TO state,
q did. A guard was kept station
d nj the door until daylight, and
hen hs withdrew, the Dewsboy
lrnck out for Lordsburg, and told
hat he had witnessed the night
efore. No action was ever taken
y the authorities il reference -
,e lynching and perhaps 1t xar
,st ~ we'll, as no one appeared 10
now or 10 want to know, who were
le parties dir oily concerned. II
~ said at the time that Handy
ing took his medicine like man
Ut Russian Bill showed the white
ather aud begged and implored
Is executioners. try ing to dirsnsds
Iem from their purpose Count
= reltenhaum. BiII'r mother. hf-
rwHrds wrote Sheriff Whilebill
'ncerning her SOD. and che WAS
Id that he wAs dead--hsd com. ,
tilted suicide. or words to 'hs, T. ,
ct. Shskspers was never after .
ards troubled with the presence
any OF the San Simon Iusslsr
ug. Copper Era.