The Elbert County tribune., 1909-08-26

hoAt MY omciat reuiuencc AT IU0
son for Payson ~ soon al possibls.
The latter town is located in one Of
the most isolated sections OF Arizona,
100 miles from telegraph wire or rail-
road. and In those days telephone serv-
Ice was utterly unknown there. The
nearest point on the railway is Globe.
From there boarded stage coach.
drove up Into the mountains. crossed
Salt river at point called Livingston
and followed the river for several
miles. | then continued up Blue Can
yon and passed over a mountain which
reaches an altitude of 1000 feet at its
highest point. arriving at Payson
about four p. m. on the day following
my departure from Globe Payson at
that time, although called town by
courtesy. possessed only 80 inhabit-
ants and lay nesting In the depths of
pine forest with the mountains
frowning darkly down upon Il from all
sides.
From the postmaster learned that
Williams had been into town for mail
the day before and that he lived about
eight miles southeast OF Payson. I
then made arrangements to secure a
IL
sheriff left for the Williams camp.
My companion informed me that VIII
iams was a noted horse thief who with
band of outlaws that regarded him
as chief dwelt in wild region SO
difficult OF access that II was not
thought likely that any officers would
endeavor to run them Gown. The
roughness OF the trail bore out the
truth of his assertion and the journey
was an exceedingly tiresome one. 30
much so that | was heartily pleased
when we finally came to a halt at the
barn of lone rancher. which my com
panion said was but a mile from the
Williams stronghold
At this point I secured a riding
horse on which to finish my journey.
| had determined to go the rest OF the
way alone. as the presence OF my
companion might have excited sus-
picion. whereas single man would
md II easier to explain his visit. The
principal point OF danger to my mind
lay In the fact that Fordham had met
me once and.if he were with the out
laws. might recognize me But
comforted myself with the reflection
on the occasion of our meeting and
would hardly be likely to remember
me. At all events was resolved to
take the. risk and in short while dis
mounted at the outlaw camp.
There were five men there--and
Fordham was not among them. Per
haps 1t was just as well, for they
were the toughest looking set 1t had
ever been my fortune to see and had
they guessed my mission the chances
would have been strongly against my
leaving their mountain lair alive. As
1t was, my position was none too pleas
ant, for I felt that strangers we're not
exactly welcome. However. put a
bold face on the matter and entered
into conversation with Williams whose
identity | guessed from the authority
he appeared to exercise over his CON-
panions. | informed him that 7 was
mining expert and while up in tho
Norman Lake region had heard that a
former friend OF mine named WyIie
Fordham was staying at this place,
and as I was passing through Payson,
decided to run down and see him.
explained also that I had met Ford
ham in Silver City. N. NJ, when had
first come out frpm the states as .
tenderfoot and had punched cows with
him for several months.
Williams. who was a grim-visaged
fellow with square set jaws and black
piercing eyes stared hard at me while
l was speaking as though he were try
ing to read my inmost thoughts.
bore calm countenance under his
scrutiny, although I could not help
wondering whether I had succeeded
in deceiving him. and felt the pressure
of my "A Colt against my belt to be
my sole comfort. Yet 1t might not
have availed me to any great extent.
They were five OF them, drawn close
around me. all armed-truly evil odds
for single player to contend with.
But at last Williams spoke and much
to my relief in mild tones.
He said that Fordham had left the
camp with pack animal about two
weeks before and was bound for
Graham, adding that my old pal was
wearing bunch of whiskers now.
which changed his face so much that
| would hardly know him. Had 1t not
been for the remark about the whis-
kers I would scarcely have believed
the outlaws statement as 1t did not
seem credible that Fordham would
venture into Graham again so soon af-
ter his escapade. And. moreover, his
sweetheart must assuredIy have posted
him as to developments therei But
after all 1t was possible that the very
fact OF this girl being In Graham
might account for his daring to return,
trusting to the heavy growth OF hair
on his face for disguise. He wouldn't
be the first fugitive from Justice