The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
BEFRIENDED WOMAN OUTLAW.
Why Bell starr wlIIed Her watch 10 a
Cayalryman.

guthrie correspondence Kons0s CitB Times.
james Duffy Of VI Reno owns a gold watch
that belonged TO Belle Starr, once a notorious
woman desperate In Indian Territory and
the Southwest. On the back of the case is a
monogram, "B. g." and on the inside the
name Belle. The watch came to Dufy
several years ago by express. the package
containing this note:
Belle Starr died eight year ago and before
she died she willed you this watch"
The watch was given 10 him for befriending
Belle Starr many years ago when he was a
trooper In the Fifth United States Cavalry.
In 1879 Duny. then a sergeant. was with
his at Rawhide Butte. fifty miles
south of old Fort Laramie. Wyo. The Indians
we're hostile and the Fifth Cavalry was scout
ing the country. One day a splendidly built
man came into camp and asked Duty for some
thing to eat. saying that he had walked thirty
miles and was almost starved. He had drunk
too heavily and while asleep his horse wan
dered away or WAS stolen. leaving it's owner
afoot. After the stranger had eaten he asked
Duffy if there was a chance to get employ
ment.
What can you do?" oucried Dufy.
Drive any damned eight mules that can
he hitched to an army wagon" replied the
stranger.
The expedition was short of teamstcrs and
Duny told the stranger to apply to Lieut.
Noi. w r. nan. VudTtrf ntHrltT, npN " DTlkH-
dier-General. The stranger WAS given a
Job at once and for three months drove a
four mule outfit With more skill than any
other teamster with the expedition. The
new teamster was about as tough ss could he
found In the plains country. He carried
pistols In his belt. was an expert shot aud was
inclined to be quarrelsome.
One day Dufy discovered that the tPamster
was n woman. The tcamster cried and
finally confessed that her name was Belle
Starr. A few days later the teamster went
back to the base Of supplies with the wagon
train and did not return TO Dufy's command
In the winter Of 1877 Duny was stationed
At Sidney Barracks. Neb, One night he was
on duty at the guard house when a man stag
gered In from the darkness. almost frozen.
and begged for permission 10 warm himself
by the guard house fire.
And where did you come from aRainy-
asked Sergt. Duny, recognizing his friend
the teamster.
They are after me, sergeant. and want
you to let me sleep here tonight. III get out
Of the country at daylight"
Sergt. Dufy asked no further questions.
The fugitive was a woman. and he did not
have the heart TO betray her. He gave her
a bunk by the fire. and the next morning his
lodger left Sidney Barracks on "a freight
train.
In the forenoon a sheriff rode into the gar
ttSOu huu uIOtintu lne commanding OFFICER
that he was on the trail Of "A woman outlaw
dressed as a man for whom there was a re-
ward OF 1900. Accompanied by Major
Albert +. Woodson. afterward for many
years United States indian agent for the
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians at Darling
ton, Okla, the Sheriff went to the guard
house. where Woodson began questioning
Duny as to whether or not a strange woman
had been seen In the garrison the preceding
night.
Ssluting his superior officer. Sergt. Duffy
calamity lied by saying;
NO. sir. | have seen no stran ger resembling
= woman IN the garrison. Nobody but them
that wears coats and pants. sir. has been
around here"
The Sheriff was reluctant 10 abandon his
inquiries. as he had followed the trail 10 Sid
ney Barracks and was confident that the
fugitive must he close around. But only
Sergt. Duny knew the secret Of the fugitive
and he would not reveal IL. Had the fugitive
been q man he might have given information.
but he would not betray a woman.
That wGS the last time Sergt. Dufy ever saw
Belle Starr. In some way In her wanderfngs
| IN indian Territory she learned that Dury
was living In Oklahoma. and remembering
/ his kindness she wished to give him a keep
sake. The watch vas her gift,