The Tupelo journal., 1910-02-25

to do no parleying or long distance firing but
to charge at once and storm the works.
Mcdonald and Burson proceeded in the
saddle to Higgins. in Lipscomb county-a sta
ton on the Santa Fe railroad, and their last
base of supplies. Here they chartered a big
three-seated hack in which to bring back their
prisoners, should their raid prove successful.
They put their own horses to this vehicle,
loaded their saddles in behind and continued
their journey.
1t was toward evening when they arrived
in the neighborhood of the outlaw den and
camped in a secluded place to wait for morn
ing. The house stood in the edge of the prai-
rie, near Beaver creek, and was easy of ac-
cess.
One of the band-an early riser-had just
gone out to round up the horses when the two
deputies, mounted, made their approach next
morning. He discovered them when they were
about 400 yards away and made for the house.
Mcdonald and Burson following at full speed.
The outlaw was a little in advance and his
eight companions were out in front with their
Winchesters when the officers rode down on
them.
Go around the house, Lon, and come in
from behind. I'll tend to them on this side"
said Mcdonald, as they dashed up. This ma
neuver was Immediately put into action and
in less than a minute later the deputies were
on the spot, their game between them. In
another instant both deputies had slid from
their horses and were In the midst of the con-
fused. half-wakeful outlaws.
Drop them guns! Drop 'em and put up
your hands!" commanded McDonald-his own
gun and Burson's leveled.
There was not even an attempt at resist
ance. The bandits were simply dazed, over
whelmed by the suddenness and vigor of the
onslaught.
Mcdonald kept the men covered now. while
Burson secured their weapons.
The gang was landed safely In Wichita
Falls. Some of them were convicted, the rest
either became better citizens or sought re-
moter places for their industries. The clean
ing up of o-man's land had begun.
The work of active reform was not allowed
to anguish. News of the first successful raid
travelled quickly and Temple Houstor-son of
Gov. Sam Houston, and then state senator
notified Mcdonald that the sheriff of Hansford
county was in need of assistance to cope with
a bad gang that had their rendezvous just
across the border from Hansford, in No-man's
Land. These bandits had been carrying on
the usual business of horse and cattle steoling
and general highway robbery.
When Bill Mcdonald got the word from
Senator Houston he Immediately sent over for
Lon Burson and then proceeded to Canadian,
Hemphill county, where Houston lived. The
usual cOmmOu1OuS mack was secured, also a
light buggy for possible side excursions, and
Mcdonald and Burson, accompanied by the
sheriff as guide. drove through the gray of
early morning to the line which divided Hans
ford county from No-man's Land.
Arriving at the border, the sheriff pointed
out where the robber den-a log building
was located, not more than 800 yards beyond.
Then he said he would wait there until they
got back.
Mcdonald and Burson therefore set out in
the light buggy, driving leisurely across the
intervening space. Arriving near the log
house, they discovered that five men were up
and sitting sleepily on the ground in front Of
their cabin, their Winchesters leaning against
the wall behind them. Evidently they did not
look for an attack and even when they saw
the approaching buggy their wits were not
sufficiently collected to suspect that any two
men in a buggy would drive over to attempt
their capture. IN another instant they were
covered.
Get up from there and put up your hands!"
was the word of greeting they received. And
don't try to touch them guns. The first man
that makes a move. I'll kill him."
The five men rose-it was polite to do So
tesy in the matter of the guns. Mcdonald now
curious as it may seem, each man answered
his name. That night the gang complete set
out for Wichita Falls. to be tried later in the
United. States court at Dallas.
Raids followed each other rapidly. One
gang of cattle thieves after another was gath
cred in and took up the march to Dallas and