Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-09-20
AFTER A BAD nAN
Clifton Posse Tries to Capture Joe
Roberts, Outlaw, but He Gets Away

The Clifton Copper Era reports that
on Thursday CT last week several cow
boys came down from the Blue country
and notified the officers that Joe Rob-
erts, an outlaw we'll known in this
country and wanted for many deeds of
theft, was located and they wanted
assistance to make the capture. Roberts
was caught in the act of butchering a
beef and was surrounded by about ten
or fifteen cowboys. Roberts soon real
lied that he was in for trouble and be-
ing in a canyon, was compelled to quit
his horse and take for the hills afoot.
1t was just seven miles above the
mouth Of tie Blue where he killed the
beef. The cowboys captured his hoEse
and took several shots at him,with their
Winchesters but it is said they did not
try to kill him. He finally got into the
brush and was lost sight of.
Bob Bailey and Owen Wilson We're
the first two deputies to leave town,
and after some hard riding soon reach
ed the place where the excitement took
place. They took up the trail and fol-
lowed it until dark and on Friday
reached a box canyon about 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-heel boots. After Bailey and
mis- partner had dismounted and follow
ed the trail some distance afoot, they
came upon cabin where they inquired
about Roberts and learned that he had
taken dinner there and left for parts
unknown. Bailey inquired as to what
route he had taken and was told that
he headed fer the upper end of the
canyon, to which Bailey replied that If
such was the case Roberts was his
prisoner, as he had deputies stationed
at that point and that he was going to
remain at the house. This did no seem
to suit the man at the house and rather
than to be held as 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
brush where Roberts was most likely
to enter. Shortly after dark Wilson
spied Roberts and decided to let him
pass by with the object of getting him
between the house and himself. but he
walked so fast that he was soon close
upon Bailey, who had his back turned
Bailey seemed to know that it was
Roberts and wheeled around with his
Winchester in hand and at the same
time called to him to throw up his
hands, bat Roberts threw up his Win
chester instead He had the advan-
tage of Bob, but before he could pull
the trigger, Bob knocked the barrel of
his gun up an dboth guns went off at
the same time Roberts backed off and
commenced shooting with his revolver
until he reached the brush, when he
took to his heels and ran for his life.
In the excitement Bob fired five shots
and Wilson three. while Roberts fired
six. Wilson could not do anything be-
cause it was so dark that he feared he
might shoot the wrong man. Bob con-
sidered himself Luckily in avoiding the
first shot They chased Roberts around
in the brush for a while but he soon
got away.
Bailey and Wilson were relieved Sat
urday by posse VINO left Clifton in
the afternoon Roberts was trailed
twenty miles or more to a point where
some pieces of his clothing were found.
From this point it was hard to trail
him, for he must have cut the legs ont
of his pants and wrapped them around
his feet for the purpose of celebrating
his tracks.
Several parties are in search of him
and it is only a question of time until
they will capture him. They are keep
ing a close watch for him as hunger
will drive him out of the brush. He
sent word to John Parks and Deputy
Bowie that he intended killing both OF
them at sight.