The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-26

North Of the Black Hills, at a point
where Dakota, Wyoming and Montana
join was once great rendezvous for
desperadoes and horse thieves.
In the winter of 1883-S4 the gang"
known as Exelby's outfit ran off a herd
of ponies belonging to Young Man
Afraid of His Horses" eta Sun Ke Ko
Kipaoi Hoksilan) and his band of Sioux
Indians, who were north of Grand River
hunting buffalo.
The Indians followed the thieves as
far as they dared but to no purpose.
Returning to their agency CPine Ridge,
Dakota), the Indians complained to
their agent Of their loss. The agent
gathered what facts he could in the
case and forwarded the same to the
United States authorities at Deadwood.
I, being at that time deputy United
States marshal in Dakota, was instruct
ed to break up this band of horse
thieves If possible, and bring them to
justice.
1 sent communications to sheriffs at
different points along the Northern Pa
cif1c railroad where I had reason to
think the thieves would go. These
communications consisted Of the names
and descriptions of most of the gang
and much other information that
would help to recognize them, all of
which I had gathered from time to
time. This done, 1 kept on with my
other official duties. of which I had all
L
In due time, however, came a tele-
gram from Miles City, Montana. to the
effect that one Of the gang, Jesse Pru-
den by name, had been apprehended
the day before. I Immediately tele-
graphed back to hold him and I would
send special deputy after him and
bring him to Deadwood for an exam
nation before the United States COM
missioner. Answer came back, "All
right"
ID tO af
Pruden, and started him out the next
morning across the country for Miles
City. 1t was a disagreeable job, for 1T
was dead of winter. but 1T had to be
done. 1 knew Joe was equal TO the
AS soon as Joe reached Miles City he
wired me to that effect, and also that
he had learned that Exelby's gang IN
tended intercepting him at stones
Ranch, on the Little Missouri Htlver. on
his way back for the purpose OF releas-
ing Pruden, and requested that l SEND
out a posse to meet him and help him
through.
nv preparations, engaged hve picked
men. and on the fourth morning after
Getting Joe's telegram, which was the
18th day of February, 1884, we LEFT
Dea dwood for the Little Missouri river.
The roads were bad. there being
much snow on the ground, causing US
O'Clock the following morning before
we rot there.
We raped up old 'tLew" Stone, who
kept the ranch, and asked to put up
a request which was. of course.
granted We said nothing in regard
to our business any more than TO
imply that we were going to Miles City.
Before going to bed, however, ascer-
tanned that the horse thieves. seven IN
number, had come the evening before
and were even then asleep at the
saloon, which was kept in building
about 200 yards west of stones
house We had partly reckoned on
this and consequently had made very
little noise not wishing to excite any
suspicion We retired then to beds
made down on the floor and. not
withstanding the short time we had
for sleep and rest. we were up shortly
after daybreak.
Soon after breakfast. as we were
awaiting developments, one Of the
horse thieves. named Harry Tuttle,
came over to Stones house and, on
entering, of course. saw US there. we
said nothing and let him go back TO
his companions. but they evidently