La Junta tribune., 1909-11-27
NUMBER 48

An incident the most remarkable
In the history OF La Junta. The
track had not reached Trinidad when
the tunnel contractors brought in
several hundred negroes from Kan.
sas to work on the tunnel through
the Otero mountain. Some OF them
worked but two days. and started
back on foot. jumping the Job. War
rants were issued out OF the Justice
court In Trinidad for their arrest, on
the ground OF breach of contract.
They had not worked enough to pay
their railroad fare. A warrant was
sent to Charley Parsons, sheriff Of
Bent county, at Las Animas. He
arrested them as they were footing
1t through. and started for Trinidad
with the ten prisoners. Frank Nixon
was his deputy assisting. At La Jun
Ia they had TO stay all night, and put
the prisoners in box car, fastening
the two ends. and one side. There
was at this time some 500 men load.
Ing and sorting timbers and ties.
and on this Saturday evening many
OF them were the worse for liQuor.
and they soon formed a riotous mob.
They elected a leader. who demand
ed OF Parsons the release of the
prisoners. claiming that the sheriff
Of Bent county could not serve
warrant from Trinidad. Some one
suggested as Parsons would not show
his warrant that both sides leave Il
to the railroad agent, who had been
lawyer In Iowa. This was agreed
to. was sent for. 1t was getting
dusk. The scene that confronted me
looked serious and threatening. II
seemed like 300 revolvers and TWEEN.
ty Winchesters were drawn on one
side. while on the other two men
stoOd-Charley Parsons In the mid.
die OF the side door OF the car.
revolver In each hand, facing the
mob, and standing sideways, his
back against the edge OF the slid.
Ing door. a revolver in his right hand,
pointing to the ten prisoners. hud-
died In the end Of the car his left
hand pointing q revolver toward the
mob. was Frank Nixon, cool and as
quiet As death.
The matter was presented to me
BY the leader. stood on a pile OF
ties. level with the car floor. I
asked Parsons to give me the war
rant. He replied In 4 low, quiet
voice. Come and get 1t In my right
side pocket" I did so. and as
pulled the warrant from his pocket I
noticed glitter In his eye that told
me he would never surrender. Even
AZ ! now write. over thirty one years
after. a thrill runs through me when
recall the situation. this moment
two sheriffs. both having been In.
ured to hardships and dangers while
wearing the gray. knowing their duty
now and daring to do II. facing q
"s"""Sh ahu uSspVtdte mOD, WIN no
police or authorities to interfere
but me.-poor little me, who had
faced these same officers when I
wore the blue and they wore the
the gray--and now was to arbi.
trate their fate. I accepted the re.
sponsibility. knowing well that .
false move would result disastrous.
y. I read the warrant:
ITO all sheriffs. coroners and con.
stables Ia the state Of Colorado.
greeting: We therefore command
you to bripg these ten men forth.
with before justice OF the peace
at Trinidad. to be dealt with accord.
Ing to the law" The leader jump
cd from his pile OF ties to mine, and
swore that II was lie. II has been
told me by others that at this mo.
mcnt I shook the warrant In his face,
and delivered N few remarks for the
benefit OF the mob. that rose to the
dignity OF cloquence. Be that as II
may, I demanded that he bind him.
self and his friends by the reading Of