Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-06-08


When he left the house he looked at
me and said: "I'm not afraid. I'm go
ing TO dig them up anyway" And he
went.
1 left for Mexico as Dial went down
town. He walked straight TO the door
of the saloon where the bad men con-
gregated. He pushed open the door,
and as he walked in the most desperate
of the men fired a revolver at Dial, but
the bullet went wild. strange thing
in those early frontier days. Before he
could pull the trigger a second time
Dial, with the courage of lion, flashed
out his revolver and shot. The bullet
struck the desperado's little finger at
the knuckle, coursed along the arm and
completely shattered the elbow.
Raising his revolver, Dial made
ready to clean out the gang. but be-
fore he could move man stepped up
behind him. placed a Winchester rife
at the base of his skull and literally
blew Off the head of one of the bravest
and most useful Texans of that time.
For long time the mails had been
robbed often in crossing the Tornado
del Muerto. or Valley of Death. a
series of low sand hills covered only
with cacti and destitute of water. The
trails We're being run closely; still the
mails, especially the registered depart
ments. were often robbed and sacks
and all carried away. The robber
never could be found. and he left no
path marked by discarded sacks or
letters.
The United States government asked
one of the celebrated sheriffs of Texas
to find out il there We're any evidences
in the southwestern part of the state
of the whereabouts of the unknown
robber. The sheriff in turn asked the
men who frequently crossed the hills
if they had seen any signs that would
furnish him with clew.
One of the sheriff's friends who had
often gone through the chaparrals had
seen some signs TO indicate that n man
or several men had been carrying cum
bersome bundles III the direction OF
certain sand hills.
This man told the sheriff to arm him
self and be ready for business at a
moments notice. Il will only direct
You. l will not be in at the capture"
he said You simply follow me until
time to do the work
The sheriff and his friend walked
about three miles, watching every
point. As they turned around the base
of a sand hill an astonishing sight met
their eyes. There, bending over Il great
pile of mail sacks, with Il bowie knife
in his hand, stood splendid specimen
of physical manhood. He had not been
alarmed by the approach. for upon the
dry sand the footballs made no sound.
The outlaw was in the act of Sitting
open another sack as the men APP
preached. They walked to within
twenty PAGES, and then the sheriff, lev
cling his Winchester. shouted: Hold
up your hands! You are my prisoner"
The robber stood up at full length,
with his arms crossed and two big re-
volvers thrown at angles before him.
He gazed coolly for Il moment at the
sheriff and then said: Mr. Sheriff, I
know you and your companion. l do
not want to murder any man. That is
not my vocation, but you cannot take
me alive. Stir not one step either Of
you or 1 will fire" He paused a min
ute and then repeated: Mr.. Sheriff,
you cannot take me alive. 1 do not de-
sire to be a murderer. My time has
come. 1 am ready to die
This robber had an eye like an eagle,
great black. silky mustache. a finely
chiseled face, beautiful masses of curly
black hair tumbled about his brow. He
was an athlete. man from his heels to
his head. and he made a beautiful pic
ture as he stood there outlined against