The Green Forest tribune., 1910-04-15

in, and lodged in jail. The case against them was clear. They were found with the stolen property; some of them did not even attempt to make denial. Their examining trial was held at Plemons the county seat of Hutchin son county, and the settlers gathered from far and near for that event The trial was held in a big barn of a place, and the prisoners were bound over to the district court The Rangers were preparing to take them to Panhandle City, where there were safer and more commo- dious quarters, when the sheriff-who had al ready distinguished himself by setting free the prominent young outlaw first captured-ap- peared and demanded the prisoners, the ground that being sheriff of that county they could not be removed without his consent. The Ranger captain promptly informed him that sheriff or sheriff, he had shown his disqua flcations for that office, and that these prison CTS would be taken to more secure quarters than he seemed willing to provide. The off Ger departed and presently mustered a crowd armed with Winchesters Then he appeared once more before Capt. Bill, produced the law which under proper conditions might have sup ported him in his demand, and again declared that he would have those prisoners, that there would be bloodshed and several Ranger funerals. Capt. Bill promptly called his men together
 We are not going to stand any foolishness," !" he said. ''If an attempt is made to take these prisoners cut down any one who takes a hand in it. Come, let's move on now, and get these men in jail"
 The crowd that had gathered expected bat tie, then and there, but nothing of the kind took place. The sherifs armed bluff had been called. Later in the day, he obtained writ of habeas corpus, but it was not effective for the reason that the men had been committed under bond. At all events it not effective so long as Mcdonald and his Rangers were in charge of the jail.
 It was evident that conviction of these offenders was not to be expected in that coun ty. Most of them had official influence of one kind or another. In fact, there appeared to be nobody except those whose property had suf fered who seemed concerned in bringing these bandits to justice.
 With such overwhelming evidence Mcdonald determined if possible to secure their pun ishment, and eventually instrumental in getting their cases distributed and sent to oth CT counties for trial Even so, they managed to evade the law. Through influence of one kind or another and the cooperation of off cials-former associates, perhaps in the bus ness of crime-their cases were one by one dismissed; this in spite of the fact that one of the men confessed and gave direct test mony against the others of the gang.
 Notwithstanding this miscarriage of justice the general effect of McDonald's vigorous pros ecution wholesome The members of that band either left for remoter territory, or decided to reform.
 It strange indeed that Mcdonald did not happen to get killed' in those busy days of the early nineties. One of the favU:ite VOWS of the "Panhander'' to shoot Bill MeDon- aid sight. But there was suddenness and vigor about Bill McDonalds manner and meth cd that very bad for VOW like that when the moment for it's execution arrived Still. there were those who tried to make good and one of these, duly assisted, came near being successful He would have succeeded no doubt if he had had time
 That mans name was John Pierce Matthews which became simply John Pierce after it's owner got the drop a steamboat captain one day in Louisiana and shot him dead. He tock his new name with him to the Panhandle where, in due time he got the drop on another