Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-04-19
A COSTA RIGA OUTLAW.
Central American Bandit Could Give
Northern Brother Points.


The inhabitants of this republic.
says a Port .Limon correspondent OF
the Philadelphia Ledger, are greatly
alarmed over the fact that a man Is
at large whose desperate character Is
perhaps only second to that Of Tracey,
the American outlaw. Houses in coun-
try districts are barricaded at night,
yet hardly day passes that does not
bring news of an atrocity by Joseph
Gordon, for whose capture, dead or
alive, the government offers a regard
Of 300 colones.
Gordon Is Jamaican, who has trou-
bled authorities Of his native island
and Costa Rica for many years. Burg
larry and murder are among the crimes
for which he. Is wanted. About
month ago he broke into the commits
sariat Of the United Fruit company
here and stole wore than 1000 colonies.
Mr.. Parsons, manager Of the banana
company's commissariat, was so ener-
getic in his efforts to track the crimi-
nal that he incurred Gordon's dis
pleasure. Parsons Is now advised by
his friends to leave the country.
Four government officers were sent
on Gordon's trail. He was discover
ed in a cave in the mountains, armed
with double bareled breech-loader;
the officers were also heavily armed.
The result Of fierce fight was that
one officer was brought back to Port
Limon In a box and the other three on
stretches. Gordon escaped without a
scratch.
More officers were sent on the trail.
While they were hunting in the hills
Gordon calmly appeared before the
United Fruit company's commissariat
here and leveled his breech-loader at
the head Of Mr.. Parsons, who was
standing before window. Before the
outlaw could fire, however, an alarm
was raised from behind and Gordon
looked aside long enough for Parsons
to escape.
But Gordon got away again-how,
no one knows-and in the next week
made himself terror His victims al
ready number many, and still he comes
and goes with his double -barreled gun.
at cne place tonight and at miracu-
lously remote riace in the morning.
A young telegraph operator on the
railway had an encounter with him the
other day. Gordon strolled down the
line near Zent. The operator recog-
nized him and prepared to die hard.
Good morning" said the outlaw.
Have you got a match?"
yves" stammered the operator.
"D-did you w-want one?"
What did you think asked for?"
"Of course; Of course. How silly of
mel" said the operator getting out a
box.
Gordon set down the gun, fixed the
operator with his eye, filled his pipe,
lit 1t, and put the box In his pocket.
"You don't mind II keep EN-" ne
remarked as he picked UP the gun.
mot at ALL" said the operator. "1-l
have plenty more
Have you? Well. let's have EN-"
Gordon then went off into the bush,
after having read the young man
sermon on "minding ones own busi-
ness and saving ones hide"
The same day the outlaw, who
seemed to be in gay mood, stepped
out Of the bush and confronted lone
officer Of the law.
Looking for me?" he said pleas
antly.
why, not exactly" said the officer.
Il was looking for the rest Of my par
ty. I. personally. had no desire to
meet you"
Gordon (who delights in forwarding
these accounts of his adventures to
the governmen) expressed his admir-
alton for the Costa Rican police. He
even went so far as to say he had
decided to join the force himself, and
borrowed the officers badge.
| Thus armed, what Gordon may dc
next cannot be surmised. He has al
ready arrested several men, charging
them with being "the notorious out
law" and as he plays his jokes ne
picks off the men against whom he
nurses spite. He has just Informed
| the government that there are YET
| Ufn Low 10wp