The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-09-07

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distance away, swimming Justify for
the shore, he, with a last desperate
effort reached out and grasped it by
the tail, where he chung, utterly ex-
hausted. while the animal towed him
ashore.
Colonel Willis offered him $50, which
he refused to accept.
"You owe me nothing" he said.
"How is thatT inquired the Ken
tuckian in surprise. you rescued the
bull"
YES" admitted Oberting, naively
adding, "but the bull reciprocated."
In the early days of Oberting's mar
shalship Dearborn county was infested
with a band OF bold marauders known
as the Falrwell gang, Of which Bob
Fairwell was acknowledged leader.
The members of this lawless band
were accustomed to drive to market
and sell cattle, ho"'. and other live
stock from the faraa throughout the
county, loot country etores under the
very eyes Of the projectors, waylay
and rob travellers in broad daylight and
commit unhindered numerous braZen
depredations, so thoroughly had they
established their reign of terror. Mar
shall Oberting resolved TO stay their
high handed course without delay
Intrusting his official duties to dep
uty, he applied himself assiduously to
his purpose.
Bob Falrwell lived in log house sit
II,
Indiana line, and, shrewdly conjectur-
ing that the place was the headquar-
ters of the gang, Oberting favored II
with much of his attention.
In the guise of hunter he hauntec
the vicinity for about ten days and
succeeded in obtaining an excellent
knowledge of the workings Of the gang
and of the topography Of the section in
which they operated most extensively.
1t was his custom to steal up to the
cabin in the wood under the cover of
darkness and, removing a stone from a
chink in the wall, see and hear every
thing that transpired in the most i'm
portant councils of the band In this
manner he obtained sufficient evidence
to justify the arrest of the seven mem
bers.
Returning to Lawrenceburg, he or
gained a posse of brave and resolute
men, at the head of whom he marched
upon the robbers stronghold.
The descent upon Fairwelrs cabin
was made after nightfall, the marshal
hoping thereby to take the inmates 10y
surprise and effect their capture with
out bloodshed
But this precautionary measure
proved unnecessary.
Fairwell had been warned of his per
II, and the. rendezvous was found de
serted.
Undiscouraged by the miscarriage OF
his well laid plans, Oberting pushed
resolutely forward in the wake of tn,
fugitives. Overtaking them near the
Great Miami river, where a furious
struggle took place, resulting in thu
defeat Of the FairwelI contingent
which fed precipitately before the on
slaught of the officers.
Bob Fairwell, holly pursued b.
Oberting, dashed for the river and, tax
ing TO the water, started to swim
across into Ohio, where he could def.
capture
Without a moments hesitation tn
intrepid marshal followed.
Fairwell was overtaken in mid
stream. where he furiously resisted tn
officer, whose peril was rendered des
perate by the fact that several Of tn
ru6ian's friends had congregated OF
the shore and were hurting stones anC
cudgels at his head in reckless disre
gard for the safety Of their leader.
Several of the missiles struck Ober
ting about the head and face, and h,
would undoubtedly have Jared III bu
for the timely arrival of his posse, VIII,
took the cowardly rascals into custody
Fairwel was drawn ashore more
dead than alive
The entire gang ultimately paid tn,
full penalty for their transgressiOns.
Historic old Lost bridge" neal
Elizabethtowu, o.. was the scene OF
one of Oberting's exploits.
Several years ago Oberting, with bis
son John. had been to Cincinnati, and
they were returning after nightfall
through the bridge when highway
man sprane out and stopped the
1 horses.
At the same moment two others tried
| to climb into the wagon from either
side
The boy was driving, Obertng being
half asleep in the bottom of the wagon
bed.
Aroused by the sudden stopping OF
the vehicle. the marshal sprang TO a
sitting posture just in time to foil the
purpose OF the highwaymen.
Crying TO his son 10 whip up the
horses, Oberting seized the two by their