Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-07-21
ESCAPED CONVICT
SHOT AND KILLED
Ruperto Gonzales
Victim of Ranch
er Vogel.
ATTEMPTEDTO EVAOE ARREST
Captain Fornoff and Posse
Followed Outlaws Trail for
Several Days.

Ruperto Gonzales, an outlaw against
whom there are many indictments and
an escaped convict from the territor-
ial prison here, was shot and killed by
Carl Vogel, member of pursuing
posse near Cabezon, Sandoval
County, just across the line
in Mckinley County, Wednesday
night, while attempting to evade re-
capture. News of the killing was
brought here today by Captain For
noff of the mounted police, who head
ed the posse in pursuit of Gonzales.
Mounted policemen and county Off
GERS had been chasing Gonzales
through the hills of Mckinley and
Sandoval counties since last Friday
morning, attempting to recover two
horses which he had stolen from
H. Montoya, Mckinley county ranch
man, and which were hitched to a
wagon driven by his wife. The woman
was within a short distance Of where
her husband was killed, and probably
heard the shots which ended his life,
but the officers succeeded in withhold
ing information of the tragedy from
her, until the following morning when
she received it with little show of
emotion. The killing Of this outlaw,
terminates search for him which
has been in progress ever since last
spring when he effected his escape
from the prison guards on the Scenic
highway, where he was at work with
other convicts. Gonzales was senten-
ced to three and half years In the
Territorial penitentiary from San
Miguel county, on charge of steal.
ing cattle and horses. Since he has
been at liberty, he has lived as a
fugitive from justice, securing food
for the most part through theft, ac.
cording to information obtained by
Captain Fornoff. The story of the
pursuit and killing of the man is about
as follows:
On last Thursday, H. Montoya, a
ranchman in Mckinley County found
that two horses were missing from his
corral. His son at once mounted and
followed the trail Of the stolen ami
mails. 1t led to Cabezon where the
young man secured the assistance OF
'Apnty Sheriff Rafael 9fora of Sando-
val county rroceedir s,at Of Cabezon
IN he trail, NM. epaty and yo'lne
,,S nva. just az Aaylisiit saw CGnAs
es, mounted upon a grey horse rid
ing beside wagon driven by his wife,
to which were hitched the stolen hor-
ses. The deputy ordered Gonzales to
surrender, but the fugitive fed, the
deputy firing several shots at him.
The officer restored the stolen ami
mails to the young man but did not
take the woman into custody. He
left her to take care Of the wagon,
there being two other horses owned
by Gonzales, to draw the vehicle in
to Cabezon.
Captain Fornoff Sent Mounted officer.
Word was sent to Captain Fred For
noff in this city of the whereabouts of
the escaped convict and he dispatch
ed Mounted Officer Julius Myers to
the scene. In the mean time. the
deputy with other local officers and
ranchmen, followed tho trail OF Con-
zales. The outlaw. it appears again
found his wife and the wagon and
made drive of about so miles and
stopped near a ranch house. He rode
off on horseback to look for water
leaving the wagon unpro-
tected. The officers arrived to
with 300 to 500 yards of the wagon
when they recognized it. They prompt
" concealed themselves behind the
rocks and waited the appearance Of
Gonzales. When he came in sight, the
posse opened fusillade, but putting
spurs to his horse, Gonzales escaped
unhurt.
Lost His Rifle at Ranch.
His rifle was left behind in the .wag
on and was captured by the deputy
The woman under the direction of thu
posse. started to drive to Cabezon, ac
companied by Carl Vogel, who late
killed her husband. He was mounted
and went with the woman to assis
her in crossing deep arroyo, whel
he expected to return to the posse
A short time after the shooting at thu
ranch, Captain Fornoif Joined tn,
party. Mounted officer Myers, cam
in later, having followed Gonzales
trail from another point The mel
started in pursuit Of the fugitive. |
was then we'll along toward night ant
a rain storm was gathering. Voge
returned to the party, reporting tina
he had assisted Mrs. Gonzales acros
the arroyo and stating he had beel
absent from home for three days an
would therefor 60 to his ranch. H
left the posse, which then started TO
Cabeyon to secure food and fresl
horses tefore continuing the chas
on the following morning.
vogal was gone but a short time
when two shots we're heard In quic
succession on the trail In few mir
utes vogel galloped up and said; III
afraid I've hurt him."
Lay Face Downward in the Road.
The officers followed him to tn
place Of the shooting and there foun
Gonzales, lying face downward in tn
road, dead. "A Winchester bullet ha
penetrated his left side in the regio
Of the heart passing entirely throug
bis body. Captain F0rnor had sen