The National tribune., 1910-11-24

oner's hands long enough to let him
eat, our men mounted, with Mizer rid
ling his own horse, led by the bride
reins by one of the vigilants, and
struck out on the back track.
Starting Out With the Prisoner.
1t was about the middle of the after
noon before We got started back, and
night overlook us before we got hall
way to Baxter. There were several
inches of snow on the ground, and the
night was so cold that the men all had
frequently to dismount and walk to
keep from freezing. The prisoners
! hands had been united shortly after
starting to avoid freezing them. AS il
was all open prairie now there was not
much danger of his escaping, for when
he was mounted one of our men led
his horse by the bride reins.
Thinking it best to prepare the cul-
prit for what he might expect at Bax-
ter Springs, as we travelled along dur
ing the night, some of the men in
formed him that the Vigilance Commit
tee had turned loose on his gang, that
Joe BoydstOn had turned States evil
dence, and that the committee had ar
rested, tried, convicted, sentenced and
hung his two brothers, Bill and Jim.
IT was interesting to note the effect
that this announcement had on this
sidered a fearless desperate. At first
he refused to believe that his brothers
had really been hung, seeming to think
that we were just trying to scare him,
but when he was given all the details
and began to fear that it was a fact
and to realize the probable fate that
was awaiting him at Baxter, he became
completely unnerved, and several times
acted as if about to faint. If it had
been light enough to have noticed his
complexion, he certainly would have
looked pale. He ceased his bantering
and braggadocio; his blood seemed to
almost stop circulating, and we thought
al times that he would actually freeze,
even while walking briskly, tho the
rest of the party kept comfortably
warm by walking a part of the time.
He had but little to say after this, but
probably did deal of thinking
We reached Baxter sometime be-
tween midnight and morning, trans
ferred our prisoner to the safe custody
of the regular guards at the prison
room in rear of Ben. Morris's saloon,
and then turned into bed for a much
needed sleep.
In answer to MIXERS eager inquiries
the guards at the prison confirmed our
statements as to the fate of his broth
ers, and added that when daylight
came he could see for himself. as their
bodies were still swinging from the
limb of the old elm, only a little way
from where he was then held a pris-
oner.
On the next morning after bringing
George Mizer in I made up for lost
time by sleeping till noon. On visiting
the court room CBen. Morris's saloon)
after dinner, / found the committee
We're just finishing up the trial of one
Woolsey, and as the evidence against
him seemed insufficient to warrant
only brand of justice
dealt out by the committee-the culprit
was given the benefit of the-doubt and
released, but was admonished that. in
the opinion of the court, the climate
Of Baxter Springs and surrounding
was net good for his health,
and that he had better seek a more
congenial atmosphere. Like some 9TH
ers of his class who We're released on
similar conditions, Woolsey promptly
availed himself of the courts leniency
and kind advice, and lit out p. d. O.,
and these fellows were seldom seen or
heard of again in that part of the coun-
try. After seeing the kind of fruit that
the old elm had got to bearing of late,
they were only too glad to get away
alive on any terms.
(To be continued.)