The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-07-11
Black Bart

piece of linen. At last their. efforts
were crowned with success, and, much
to the astonishment Of the sleuths, inc
cuff turned out to be the properly OIL
one james Clarkson, member OF tne
stock exchange, aud a man possessing
the entree to the best society VI 1ne
Golden Gate.
Following up their investigation the
officers discovered that Clarkson was
in the habit of disappearing from his
usual haunts in the city ut stated Pc
RODS, and on comparing notes 1T be-
came evident that the dates of his trips
into the country corresponded Win
those upon which all the stage hold,
ups had occurred, ClarksOn was placed
under arrest, and under a severe grill
ing broke down and confessed that he
was none other than Black Bart, who
for four years had enriched himself at
the expense of the public and express
companies.
AT the time Of his capture Clarkson
was In poor health, but had managed
to stow away comfortable fortune,
He consented to plead guilty. with the
understanding that he should be shown
mercy by the court when brought TO
trial; and accordingly he was sentenced
TO eight years in the San Quentin
penitcntiary. Through an arrangement
with the express company, which had
been the heaviest sufferer at his hands,
he agreed 10 disgorge some of his i'll
gotten gains and was pardoned after
serving a year of his sentence. Ac-
cording to the terms of his release, he
was obliged to leave the United States
and reside across the border, reporting
himself every thirty days to the com
pany's agent at Aguacaliente, Mexico.
During the fall of 1892 the United
States government found it necessary
TO keep close watch on the Mexican
border with view to enforcing the
Chinese exclusion act. and my duties
as deputy marshal took me across the
into the country of the Greasers for the
purpose OF obtaining certain lnforma-
ton regarding spectators who were
interested IN The smuggling Of the al
mond deyed Celestials into the domain
of Uncle Sam. Ny business having
been concluded ] obtained leave Of ab.
sence for couple Of weeks, and paid
visit 10 the City of Mexico, q trip
which ] had long been contemplating
One night / dropped into n casino
where gambling was running in full
blast The Mexicans are a born set of
gamblers, Young and old, and establish
ments of this kind do a rushing bust
ness, Believing that when IN Rome
one should do as Rome does, I took
hand at bucking the national game of
monte. and found that the goddess OF
fortune had decided to show me un-
usual favor, ! won steadily, and my
pile mounted up 10 a very comfortable
figure. Among those who were watch
ing my play was tall, sinewy man of
about 3S Years of age. with hair and
mustache of raven blackness. There
was something about him that pro-
claimed his nationality as straight
American; and once on looking up RS
! raled in big stake my eye caught
his and he smiled good .humoredlv.
room were not SO pleasant to see
There were dark, Jealous eyes that
gazed at me, as though the owners
were deeply resentful of the luck that
had befallen the intrusive Americana
| decided that it would he good policy
to quit while still ahead of the game.
and pockctlng my winnings | left the
ing 10 the street | glanced back and
noticed three Meyicans following me-
As turned the corner Of dark street
the footsteps behind me quickencd, aud
l. swung suddenly around just in time
to see the trio closing in upon me-
Something bright CLEANED in the hand
Of the foremost man, and ! ducked
my head swiftly under the murderous
sweep Of knife that would probably
SORROWS of this life as far as T was
concerned If the blade had reached the
intended mark.
The next instant 7 whipped out my
siX-shootcr and grasping it by the bar
rol J. brought The butt down heavily on
the head of my assailant. knocking him
into the gutter. | did not wish to
fire a shot unless actually compelled
to do so, as Mexican law is bad thing
to fool with where an American is con
cerncd. aud even the killing of thing
might have brought unpleasant consc-
9uences in its train. Just then n tall
form loomcd MP behind the other two
MoXlcanS. there was a muttered oath
i'm the Yankee tongue, and one Of the
Greasers fell hcadlong under the per
suasivc influence of powerful blow
on the jaw. His companion uttered a |
e2 aB
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