The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-23
BANDITS REFUGE IN
WEST IMPROBABLE
Famous ''HOle-in-t he-Wall"
Home Of Desperadoes.

( throughout the country. but especially
in the West and Northwest. have recent
/ ~ had their attention attracted to the
, Hole in he Wall" the most notorious
and in many ways unique hiding place
for desperadoes in the world. Within
the grim granite walls OF the hole are
more than two score of men. most OF
! whom are wanted for more than one
murder. Without are the peaceful
farms and ranches OF the rapidly grow
ing Northwest II one of the men in
hiding should venture beyond the boun-
daries of this strange place of refuge he
would be shot on sight. And several
bloody and unsuccessful attempts TO raid
the hole have proved that il is just as
dangerous for on outsider to try to en-
ter.
Interest in the HOle-in-th he Wall was
revived by the report that Tracy. the no
/ tOriOUs bandit. was heading for IL when
he met his death Every Western sheriff
knew that If Tracy once succeeded il
reaching the hole mis- capture would be
practically impossible. Men who in
CURED the eumity Of their felIow-out-
laws have sometimes been given no by
only way in which the law has ever Sc
cured grip on man who once reached
it. Even attempts OF United states cav
I airy to force an entrance nave been re-
PEELED by the bandits who made IL their
haven.
The HOle-in-the-Wall is one OF the
most remarkable OF the many strange
/ freaks OF nature in the Rockies 1t con
sists of a great. wall OF granite. almost
impossible even for the nimbIe and sure
footed mountain goats. The wall is
shaped like rough circle and forms d
natural fortress which is practically i'm
prcgnable Once safely enscorced with
in. a score OF good rifemen land the men
who have made it their refuge are among
the best shots in the Vest could defy
an army
The Hole in-the- Wall is situated in
| the northern part Of Wyoming, just
/ south of the Montana State line. west OF
/ tho Big Horn Mountains and east OF
| Yellowstone Park. There is but one en-
| trance TO the Hole, narrow gateway
| through the great walls OF granite. where
the Powder River pours through Prob
/ ably there is not IN the whole world an
other place that could be moro easily de-
( Tended by desperate men or where they
could so securely defy the law.
Where the Powder River has forced its
way into the Hole-in- the-Wall the cliffs
rise up precipitately on both sides. ON
the left side OF the river. and about fifty
feet above its surface. runs a rough
pathway. which could hardly be called L
road. II is so narrow that two horses
! 90 wa al,w Aurs
} 10 enter the HoIe-in-the-waH must pass
/ through this defile. The character OF the
/ country precIudes the use OF artillery
and no troops could hope to effect much
with rifles.
! The leader OF the outlaws in the hole.
4 at the last news received from there. is
/ Laughing Sam" Carey. one Of the most
notorious bandits OF the West Carey is
not the jovial. gOod-natured individual
/ his name would Indicate On the con
trary. he is very grim person. with
I long string OF murders and other crimes
TO his credit His name was bestowed
on him from a long scar on his right
cheek that gives him the appearance Of
always smiling. The wound which caused
the scar was inflicted by a knife in the
hands OF a man with whom Mr. Carey
had disagreement. About the time the
wound was inflicted this man died. His
demise was FASTENED by having the top
OF his head blown of by a revolver fred
almost point blank by Laughing sam
Carey has well earned his title Of
chief Of the HOle-in- the Wall despera-
does For years he defed pursuit. and
robbed and murdered through South Da- |
kota. Wyoming. and Montana He is al /
most the sole survivor OF the old time I!
Western highwaymen who held uD Z
treasure coaches about Deadwood lei
was his band that rode into Spearfsh /
5. D.. about ten years ago and robbed !
the bank while fighting almost the en- /
tire town. So desperate was tho battle 4
that every man in the gang. with the F.
exception OF Carey himself was killed
Among the other notorious despera-
does who are hiding I'm the hole are tho
Taylor brothers, who were under SEN
tence OF death for numbering The Meeks 4
family. at CaTrollton. Mo and broke I
Jail; Hank Wilcox and Bud DensIow :
who are wanted for train robbery on /
the Union Pacific line where the engi-
neer Of the train was shot and many !
other desperate criminals who are want |
ed for every crime in the calendar. from |
larceny TO triple murder. But as long /
as they remain within the walls Of their
natural fortress they seem to be safe !
from all pursuit.
II is estimated that the HoIe-in-the- /
wall is inhabited by between fifty and .
sixty men and a few women. who train
with them. The law Of selI-preserya- .
ton has made a strong affinity amons
them. The world is against them. and
they have banded Themselves for pro
lection against the world. Any attempt /
10 capture one is resisted by all With
in the hole are several ranches and
farms. which are held as common prop
erty. Some OF the outlaws are skilled T.
In surgery. and a wounded criminal who
once succeeds in reaching the hole IS
sure Of good treatment Had Tracy been
able TO elude his pursuers and arrive a.