The new era., 1910-04-21
The R0HzlEP
6NRNED ms <NcE

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 = place. and the prisoners wero
bound over to the district court The Rangers
were preparing to take them to Panhandle
City. whers there were safer and more commo-
dious quarters. when the sherin&who had al
ready distinguished himself BY setting free tho
prominent young outlaw hrst captured-ap-
peared and demanded the prisoners, on tho
ground that being sheriff Of that county. they
could not be removed withou. mis- consent. Tho
Ranger captain promptly informed him that
sheriff or no sheriff, he had shown his disquali
fcations for that once. and that these prison-
ers would be taken to moro secure quarters
than he seemed willing to provide. The ON
cor departed and presently mustered 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 thoss prisoners. or that
there would be ploodshed and several Ranger
funerals Capt Bill promptly called his men
together.
I'VE are not going to stand any foolishness'
he said. eff an attempt Is made to take these
prisoners, cut down any one who takes hand
men In jail"
The crowd that had gathered expected bat
tie, then and there, but nothing of the kind
took place. The sheri6's armed blum 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 1t was not effective
80 long a. Mcdonald and his Rangers were
in charge Of the jail.
1t was now evident that conviction Of these
offenders was not to be expected in that coun-
IT, Most OF them had ohicial 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
was determined II possible to secure their pun
ishment. and eventually was instrumental In
getting their cases distributed and sent to 9TH
er 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 busi-
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 testi-
mony against the others OF the gang.
Notwithstanding this miscarriage of justice,
the general effect Of McDonald's vigorous pros
ecution was wholesome The members Of
that band either left for remoter territory. or
decided to reform.
It was strange indeed that Mcdonald did not
happen to get killed" in those busy days Of
the early nineties. One of the favOzite vows
OF the "Panhandler" was to shoot Bill Melon
aid on aight But there was suddenness and
vigor about Bill McDonalds manner and meth
cd that was very bad for vow like that when
the moment for Its 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, II he had had time.
That mans name was John Pierce Matthews.
which became simply John Pierce after its
owner got the drop on steamboat captain one
day in Louisiana and shot him dead. He took
his new name with him to the Panhandle.
whore, in due time he got the drop on another