The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

l seated in the lobby of the Worth House. in Fort Worth Texas, enjoying after dinner cigars. The conversation gradu- ally drifted around to stories of the stir ring times in the early days of Texas. Among a number of exciting tales re- lated by different members of the group was the following story by a veteran of the Panhandle district
 "Of course you fellows have heard Of Bob Knowles, known in the old days as Shooting Bob" He was, without doubt, one of the most reckless fellows and one of the meanest devils in human form who ever afflicted the west However he was as fearless as he was deprayed, and fig- ured In number of thrilling adventures along the Mexican border. He was one of the toughest customers the Rangers ever had to deal with. His aim was un- erring, and many a good man was killed in attempting to run him down.
 About the first time he was heard of was back in the f1fties, when he lead gang of daring cattle rustlers' down near the border south of San Antonio. His troop of rufflans played havoc for awhile with the ranehmen's stock until the en- ragged owners got too hot on their trail and they were forced to transfer the seat of their operations elsewhere About the slickest thing they did at this time was when they rustled' 4OOO of Bud Corrigans choice longhorns and got away with fully half Of them.
 'rhe tactics used by the robbers in this instance were as original as they were effective and were the product of Shoot ing Bob's fertile brain. One of the gang blew in one day from the plain and asked the old man to give him something to do. Corrigan had no suspicious and put him to work. The fellow spent his time in getting the lay of the land and in tam pering with the less reliable members of the ranch force. Finally he succeeded in buying over Mexican named Ornez, and they began preparing to steal the cattle.
 'fIn the meantime the rustlers were how ering around in the neighborhood waiting for the signal to stampede the herd. It was just before the season for the drive, and Corrigan had a particularly fine drove of longhorns from which he hoped to reap a nice return. A dark night was chosen for the stampede. The spy and the Mexican were both on duty. There were quite number of cowboys guarding the cattle, but they were well scattered
  ies of the two thieves. The spy and the faithless Mexican got several cowboys in- terested in a game of cards about campfire. Suddenly a shril whistle was heard followed by pistol shot. The cowboys leaped up, but were immediately shot down by their companions. A troop of yelling, whooping. shooting demons swooped out upon the herd. The cattle were instantly stampeded and in the con- fusion most of the cowboys were killed. | "As soon as Corrigan heard of the rob bery, he collected a crowd of cattemen | and gave chase. The ranchers followed l the trail north several weeks, but never succeeded in catching the daring thieves. l "'Shooting Bob piled up his crimes at a rapid rate and had many narrow es- | capes from the ranchers who suffered at his hands, but he always managed to | get away.
 About the most daring thing they l ever attempted was the footing of a bank l in Fl Paso. Knowles and his gang rode into town in broad daylight. So great was the fear that he inspired. that the citizens were terrorzed and made but a feeble attempt to save the treasure stored In the bank. After about half a dozen had been shot in the skirmsh the rob l bers were left alone. They coolly footed l the bank while ten or fifteen stood guard and after confiscatlng all the liquor in the place they couiu lay tnelr handS on they rode off across the border into Mex | ico, and one more successful raid was laid to Knowles credit, or rather dis | credit
 On one occasion Knowles was seated at a table in a saloon in Pecos City play ing poker. His back was to the door a blunder that he very seldom allowed him self to make. In some way the sheriff heard of Knowles presence in the town and was laying for him. Being told by a gambler who recognized Shooting Bob