The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-07

now in such numbers as to make the es-
Enlistment of d postoffice almost neces-
sary."
For twenty-five years or more past
this country has been the safe retreat OF
the most desperate bandits il TIE west
the most notorious OF which probably
were Butch" Cassidy and his followers,
whose bloody deeds are well remembered.
The very name of this country has held
a certain terror for the peace-lOYing cltl-
zens of the surrounding states, and II
will be welcome news to them to know
that 1t is TO be purged OF its terrors or
the past
Description of the Country.
In the light of this change a word of
description of the country and a brief
history OF the hole and the bandits
who have defied law and justice from
behind its strong walls will not be amiss.
The "hole'' is situated in Johnson county.
1t is a saucer in shape, being sur
rounded by mountains almost impassab bic
everywhere except the 'Hole-in-the-
Wall"
This is a pass between two precipitous
walls of sandstone. and Is so narrow that
a wagon can scarce go through It.
handful of men well armed and stationed
behind this gate, according 20 the state
ment of officers who have chased bandits
q the entrance, could easily hold the
place against an army. il is natural
Fertilization. and the bandits OF Utah,
tana lest no time in taking advantage of
The hole is called by the officers the
saucer of assassina ton and murder Ac-
cording 70 the information furnished by
Deputy Sheriff Joe Bush, Utah veteran
outlav, hunter. this hole has been used
as a safety vault by the outlaws or the
surrounding states, for themselves and
their plumber.
Retreat For Bandits.
The outlaws OF the Robbers Roost''
country, he says, when pressed too close
" ~ the officers. were wont to make, a
flying trip TO the '.Hole-in-the-W Wall,
and there they were safe. Countless
times the officers have pursued the des-
\ peradoes To this place aid bloody 6atIles
4 have ensued. in which outlaws and oIti-
GERS have given Up their lives, out never
in these Chases have. the officers been
able to pass that gate.
According TO the statements OF Deputy
Bush. the outlaws who used this Hole
in-tne-Walr' as a safe retreat we're sep
arated into three divisions, the north
Utah and Mexico divisions. OF these di-
visions the most notorious was the Utaf
division, headed by Butch" Cassidy inC
his partner, Eliza Lay. whose depredatons
are known all through the west. Fol
years the name OF Butch Cassidy ha!
c.fT.ed terror with it.
Among the most notorious of those as
ISOLATED with him are said 10 have beer
Ma. well. J. A. Dalton, one OF the mem
hers of the famous Dalton gang; ". II
Brown. Harry Tracy. David Jones an'
Frank Edwards.
Notorious Butch Cassidy.
While Cassidy's main stronghold was il
the Robbers RoOst country, WEel
pressed BY the officers he always tool
refuge in the 'Hole-in-the- Wall countr.
and all efforts TO capture him have proves
futile The deIreCations in this star
alone attributed to him and his men ar
almost numberless.
The bank holdUp in Springville in 1885
which is still fresh in the memory Q
Irtah people. IS attributed to him q
inat occasion one of the gang, said {
have been ]. A. Dalton, was shot an
ElIied. c. -. Maxwell. another merbe
~ the gang was pursued by q posse @
citizens under Sheriff Storrs into SPANS
Fork canyon ard captured IN elur1p Q
bushes He is now serving a term G
eiphteen years in the state penitenuar
for his crime.
afterwards captured but the three foi
ner made thcir escape. EDWARDS is no
serving time in the pehstentiary Tor NJ
& crime and short time ago was foun
Y under the pulpit in the chapel, attempt
ing to make his escape.
Cassidy's Partner Killed.
Eliza Lay. Cassidy's partner said to B
evan more desperate IIdu CassiG. ~, ~,
seh. was killed a few months ago In Me-
10 band Of Mexican officers can
uno.a him and his gang smuggling art
cies across into Texas, and battle 10
lowed. liz which Lay end several once
were killed.
Bnhr. who is sid to have been II
treasflrer OF the "HOle-in-the-WaN gan
Sess killed in Texas a few months ago
rangers. According 10 the STATE 2ent
Deputy Bush. Buhr's ranch in TIA, Roi
hore' Roost" country was used as q rel
dezvolIs BY all the tstlaws There TIE
1-of,ld drive their stoien cattle and kes