The copper era., 1903-09-17
Shooting at Close Range.

On Thursday Of last week several
cowboys came down from the Blue
country and notified the officers that
Joe Roberts, an outlaw well known in
this country and wanted for many
deeds OF theft, was located and they
wanted assistance to make the capture.
Roberts was caught i'm the act of
butchering u beef and was surrounded
by about ten or fifteen cowboys.
Roberts soon realized that he was in
for trouble and being in a canyon. was
compelled to quit his horse and take
for the hills afoot. 1t was just seven
miles above the mouth OF the Blue
where he killed the beef. The cow
boys captured his horse and took sew
tiers but it is said they did not try to
kill him. He finally got into the
brush and was lost sight Of
Bob Bailey aud Owen Wilson were
the first two deputies to leave town,
and after some hard riding soon
reached the place whore the excite
ment took place. They took up the
trail ard followed it until dark and on
lldN ItdOIltb d ltI& Canyon dDDGL
three miles from the mouth of the
Blue where the trail led into some
brush. The trail was an easy one to
follow as Roberts wore high-hceI
boots. After Bailey ana his partner
had dismOuutcd and followed the trail
some distance afoOt. they came upon a
cabin where they euquircd about
Roberts aud learned that ne had taken
dinner there aud left for parts I'M
known. Bailey enquircd ~ to what
route ne had taken ANA was told that
he headed for the upper end of the
canyon, To which Bailey replied that
ii such was the case Roberts was his
prisoner, as he had deputies stationed
at that point, aud that he was going to
at the house. This did not
seem to suit the man at the house and
rather than to be held a. AN accomplice /
on Roberts behalf told Bailey that he !
had left the house temporarily and /
would be back at dark.
1t was not long to wait for darkness !
and Bailey located himself in the !
house, while his partner concealed !,
himself in the brush where Roberts I
WAS most likely to enter. Shortly after /
dark Wilson spied Roberts and de-
cided to let him pass By with the ob- /
Jet OF getting him between the house
aud himself. but he walked so fast
that he was soon close upon Bailey. who
had his back turned. Bailey seemed
to know that it wa, Roberts and
wheeled around with his winchester
ia hand and at the same time called to
him to throw uD his hands. but
Roberts threw up his winchester in
stead. He had the advantage of Bob,
out before he could pull the trigger,
Bob knocked the barrel OF his gun up
md both guns went of at the same
inc. Roberts backed of aad COM
nenced shooting with his revolver uu-
Ill he reached the brush. when he
ook TO his heels and ran for his life.
n the excitement Bob fired five shots
md Wilson three, while Roberts fired
iN. Wilson could not do anything
because it was so dark that he feared
lie might shoot the wrong man. Bob
considered himself lucky in avoiding =
he first shot. They chased Roberts !
round in the brush FOR while but i
lie soon got away. I
Bailey and Wilson were relieved
saturday by q posse WHO left Clifton
n the afternoon. Roberts was trailed
wenty miles or more to point where
ONE pieces of his clothing were :
ound. From this point it was hard to :
rail him for he must have cut the legs
ut of his pants and wrapped them I
round his feet for the purpose OF OBJ I
terating his tracks. ~
Several parties are in search OF him I
nd it i only question Of time h
ntil they will capture him. They are d
eeptng a close watch for him IA hun h
er will drive him out Of the brush. d
lie sent word TO John Parks and 7
Deputy Boyle that he intended killing n
9th OF them at sight. a