The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-24
"SC0TTY"ONRACK
Death Valley Midas May Be Just
a Scheme.
Expected That He VIII Be Ar
rested for Conspiracy.
BROTHER WAS SHOT.
Story of the Ambuscade at
Wingate Pass.
Arrest Of One Of ScOtt's Men
After Another.
BROTHER WAS SHOT.


this city publishes the following:
Walter Scotts bubble has burst
The CARR lous SPHINX rev kind Of
sphinx IT Is admitted-is wanted by
Sheriff Ralphs as a party to the shoot
ing which resulted In the wounding Of
Warner Scott his brother, at Wingate
pass. on the evening of February 90
and putting to flight q party of mining
experts who were bound to the desert
TO investigate Scotty's alleged mines.
Charged with Scotty in the assault are
shorty" Smith and "Bill" Keyes, des-
ert characters, who have been identi-
fled with all of Scotty's escapades.
The exposure Of Walter Scott as a
fake of the worst kind came about
through the Investigations Of Sheriff J.
C. Ralphs, Under Sheriff s. w. Nc
Nabb, Deputy Sheriff Charles Ward
and #. r.. Bechdolt a newspaper man,
detailed by the Los Angles News for
that purpose. Beckdolt is even
now on the desert with the sheriff
and under sheriff after 'Bnl" Keyes
who is supposed to be in Death Valley.
and was present at Barstow Sunday
night when shorty Smith was taken
into custody.
The evidence in the hands Of the
sheriff. and on which IS based the
warrants sworn out before Justice OF
the Peace G.. J.. Thomas. is suDDused
to be so strong that scotty and his two
pals VIII have a hard scrap if they
nope 10 successfully defend themselves
against the criminal charge
Walter Scott has for several years
been posing as the mysterious owner
Of desert gold mines He is alleged
10 have Won the confidence of New
York and Boston men Of means. Who
are supposed to have invested Ia the
aueged property. ore from which is
declared to have been "assayed." and
the aFsayer had reported it In suco a
manner a 8 to add to the strength Of
Scotty's representa- tons
At last the easterners became sus-
plclous and sent A. Y. Pearl to exrcrt
the mines Later. ID. f. Owen, also
q mining expert. was sent all the way
from PostoH, to accompany Pearl. and
with owen. there came from Boston
Df A. NJ Johnson. president Of the
National Life Insurance company who
as man Of wealth was greatly inter
ested In ascertaining whether the pro-
perty was s. rich as had been claimed.
''The Outlaws
Scotty's fear lay in the determine
ton of owen and DR. Johnson to VISIT
the property. Tt is claimed that Wal
ter Scott Immediately set himself to
planning how he could prevent this
visit, and i'm the end he decided 70
scare the party off by the supposed
sudden appearance Of outlaws
Walter Scott and Pearl rode ahead on
mules and behind them came a WAGON
occupied by owen. Warner Scott and
Iil Scott and the rear wagon was
occupied by Dr. Johnson and Sinclair
Before setting forth Shorty Smith
stated his determination to remain at
Daggett. and Warner Scott kicked m
a rumpus by declaring that he would
not make the trip IN employ Of his
nfotner waiter, as he knew Waite-
would try to beat him out Of his Yav
so it was arranged that Warner should
be paid by Pearl.
when the party reached Dry Camp
on the morning Of February IS, Walter
Scott directed his brother. "BiII" Scott
20 remain at that camp, and ordered
-BllI' keyes to push on ahead Of the
party and secure fodder for the horses
at Ballarat. This arrangement was
carried out, and next morning the party
took up the march toward Death Val
ley.
Tt was dark when they reached Win
gate pass All but Scotty wanted to
camp there for the night. but he urged
them on saying that he had some va
which made fine place for camping
PURPOSES
The little company continued the
journey. Suddenly they heard the
sharp barking Of rifles Off toward the
pass. A few moments later q stranger
came dashing from the pass. and halt
ed when he reached the Scott OUTFIT.
He gave his name as J. Hartigan.
and said he was an ex-deputy sheriff
Of COldheid He was beside himself
with wrath. md explained that he had
been amhushed in the pass. that the
men who fired upon him had Htampeded
his pack train. and that a bullet had
gone through the rim of his hat
The eastern mining experts wanted
20 put back to Daggett. but Scotty
with a show Of daring declared that he
could whip the outlaws and. taking his
word for it. the party continued on.
ana then followed the now celebrated
"Pattle of Wingate Pass"
Up to this time Scotty had been car
FyinE his rifle in his hand but he
placed it In the first wagon and then
Joined Pearl, who was riding probably
2af feet ahead Of the wagon. Suddenly
seen pouring in quick succession from
p gun herd nv a man on mule, in the
brush scarcelv % Yards Off
Bullets Lively.
These shots were aimed toward Pearl
The last shot had hardly been fired
than from barricades high up on the
hills near Wingate Pass two other
rifles barked and for a time there was
q lively scattering Of bullets about the
party.
The firing was not responded to by
either Scotty or Pearl and as soon as it
commenced. the mules attached to the
wagon occupied by Warner Scott and
owen wheeled about and made for the
assailants on the hill Then it was that
Warner Scott received his terrible
wound
with scream Of pain. Warner Scott
yelled that he was shot and Walter
Scott hurried to the wagon and seeing
that such was the case. Scottv wheeled
about and. riding toward the assail-
ants. waved his hat and yelled that
they had wounded man and to cease
firing. The shooting ceased instantly
and th q outlaws disappeared.
II LIS then nuite darIr and Srntfu