Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-06-10
ROMANCE OF A BANDIT.
Suayity of Manner Wins Passport
Elite Society.

Elite Society.
The recent arrest in Oklahoma or
man the officers thought answered the
description of Ben Cravens. the out
law has set all ambitious sleuths 10
thinking i'm a vain effort to devise
way to locate and affect the recapture
of the notorious bandit king. And all
the time the now pious Ben is basklnG
serenely in the protection of grand Old
Mexico. where his connection with
family of wealth and position inSures
him immunity from the greedy laws
of Kansas. Missouri. Oklahoma ana
divers other States and Republics
prominent on the map, says the Baltl'
more American.
At least such iae11 story that is
being quietly whls ked among era
vens' good friendS-hnd he seems 10
have hosts of them-throughout the
southwest. disappearing as the nep.
hew of prominent ex-ofticial OF the
State of Pennsylvania, Cravens Is salo
to have gained admission to the most
exclusive drawing rooms of the City OF
Mexico. where he met and loved
Young senorita of wealth and beauty
With an improvised family tree, dating
back to when time began, the BANDIT
king of many States at once dazzled
the scheming mamma, which resulted
in a marriage with the rich and beautl'
full senorta. who, the rumor adds, mas
already borne him an heir.
Strong with the administration of the
republic. with position and wealth AT
his command, Cravens can now laugh
at the scores of officers who, for years,
logged his every step and followed
him through States and Territories
and have plenty of time to recall ana
mediate over the downfall of a score
or more of the officers of the law who
to use the mighty Ben's own expires
sion. are roasting below.
Since making his miraculous and
sensational escape from the Kansas
penitentiary by charging the guaro
with a gun he had carved out of soft
pine ana covered with tin foil. WITT
the exception possibly of a limited
number of stunts in imperial Mis-
souri, that have been charged up tt
him. "Mr." Cravens has sOjOurned in
the southwest combining his operations
| principally to Oklahoma. since thai
Territory has gained the sobriquet OF
''the haven for all the cutthroats who
can no longer remain in Kansas. Texas
and Arkansas" In a few localities IN
Oklahoma Cravens is wanted by the
officers. but every town, from the
meanest hamlet to the more metro
politan cities. harbors hosts of .his
friends, who will spare no means tc
insure his safety when he takes 8
iaunt through the Territory
Despite the fact that Cravens is
wanted by the United Stares officers
on a charge of murder in the Ponca In
dian reservation. and every deput,
marshal in the Territory has visions O.
a sensational capture. his last stunt IL
| Oklahoma was to pay visit to some
of his friends in Governor Tom Fer
guSon's home town. where. it is said
that, getting sleepy and not caring t.
! Scrawl his name on the hotel register
he slept on pool ROOM table in an all
night saloon, knowing that he was sur
rounded by friends who would order
an officer out of the house should ont
dare to appear. Prior to his last visit
or directly after his escape from TIT
Kansas penitentiary Cravens Travelled
as a full-fedged salesman, was know
throughout the Territory and among
strangers was supposed to carry :
heavy line of staple goods In that ca
pacity he visited the capital city ever!
fortnight, and it is alleged that b
once attended an administration bal
and afterward dined with the United
States marshal and several member
Of the Territorial council without hi
identity being detected.