The Springfield herald., 1909-07-09
OFFICERS SHOT
BY BANDITS
Deputy Sheriff Kemp, of Folsom,
New Mexico, Killed, and Deputy
Williams, Dying, from Result OF
Attack by Outlaws.

murder, when Deputy Sheriff Jim Kent
and Deputy lsham Williams, while in
search Of stolen property, were de
hberately shot from behind by some of
the Jameson boys, members of no.
torious band of outlaws The shooting
took place at the Jameson ranch, which
is about 80 miles south of Folsom. Re
ports of the shooting are yet meager
but it appears lne deputies rode up to
the ranch house and dismounted. Kent
entered the shack with gun in hand
and demanded George Jameison, a lad
of fifteen and who was then STOPPING
in front of the stove, cpparantly kind
ling a fire, to throw up his hands. Kent
had fairly spoken when shot rang out
from a rear room and ne fell dead.
Williams then ran into the shack and
was also shot down and now lies at the
point Of death in a Trinidad hospital.
The bandits departed Immediately after
the shooting and are now being
hotly pursued by posses. 1t is feared
more blood will be shed before the BAN
dts will surrender.
Deputies Kent and Williams passed
through Springfield about two weeks
ago enroute to the Kansas line where
they recovered some horses that had
been stolen from Folsom number of
years ago, and on their return spent the
night of June 26th in Springfield, con-
tinuing on their'way to Folsom the fol-
lowing day with the horses.
Deputy Sheriff Kent is well and
favorably known in Baca county, hav-
ing been formerly engaged on the
twenty-four circle ranch. He was well
liked and very popular with all who
knew him. Deputy Williams is also
well known in the county, he being
brought up in the Cimarron country.
C. H. Hamilton who is believed to
| be the ringleader of this notorious gang
| of desperadoes, and who is now confined
in the county Jail at Clayton charged
! with horse stealing, is also well known
| in Baca county and especially in Spring
| field, where he attended school num-
ber of winters about ten years ago.
| He spent his boyhood days on the range
in Baca county and gradually drifted
| into bad company until he became the
| recognized leader OF this dangerous
gang of outlaws. He is being careful
| ly guarded for Indignation is at fever
heat in Folsom and it is feared that he
will be lynched.
The following reports from Folsom
gives some light on the cowardly shoot
ing:
Folsom, N. NJ, July 2--Ambushed by
gang of desperate horsethieves while
attempting to recover stolen horses,
Deputy Sheriff Jim Kemp was shot and
( instantly killed, and Deputy lsham
Williams was fatally wounded at 4:S0
this morning at the Jamison ranch. 35
miles south of here.
Guy Mellen, deputy who accompan-
led Kemp and Williams, stopped last
night at the Cain ranch, u miles north
of where the battle occurred, and at
2:30 this morning Went to the Jamison
house.
Evidently the Jamison's had been
warned and were lying in ambush for
the officers. They fired from behind
rocks, and at the first volley Kemp fell
dead from his horse. AT the second vol
ley Williams fell.
The other members of the party
picked up Williams and retreated to
the Cain ranch. Mellon then rode into
Folsom with the news.
A posse of 12 men left at noon today
and was followed by another posse to-
night If the outlaws are overtaken q
desperate battle is expected.
1t is not known how many were with
the Jamison's at the ranch, but it is
presumed there were three or four, who
are suspected of being members of a
gang of notorious horse thieves which
has been operationg in this section, also
through the Panhandle country of Tex
as, Northern New Mexico, western Kan
sas and Southern Colorado. The gang
is so organized that they relay horses
ITOlll OIle place " dilo.LiSL anu Seii
them.
C. H. Hamilton, said to be a member
of this gang, was arrested in Trinidad
Tuesday, after he had disposed of a
horse and team of mules, and was
taken to Clayton, the county seat, and
jailed. Hamilton was followed through
northern Oklahoma and western Kan
sas by two deputies, Ed. Reeve and
Charles Ban Gordon of Stevens county.
Kan. They trailed Hamilton to Trim
idad, and arrived in Folsom tonight in
an effort to organize another posse tc
start out in the morning,
The place where the battle was
fought has been known as a rendezvous
for outlaws and desperadoes for years
1t is at the head of deep canon anc
commands wide stretch of fat count
ry, which is only approachable from
one side. II was the hiding place Of
"Black Jack" Ketchum, leader OF
outlaws and train robbers, who was
hanged at Clayton several years ago
1 n.I l. L -.