Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-07-14


upon the officers body is evidence
that this bullet also nearly reached
its billet.
Spirited From Jail in Dummy Sack
In continuance of our account of the
fearful Fourth of July crime that has
marred the annals of our fair city, the
Enterprise herewith appends the graphic
story of the ruse employed by Sheriff
Potter in spiriting his prisoner from Otero
county, together with the first public
statement of "Nigger Bob" as told by the
Pueblo Star journal last Friday evening:
Bob Harris, the negro slayer of Chief
of Police Craig, of Rocky Ford, was
brought to Pueblo last night, by Sheriff
Potter and six deputies in autos and
lodged in the county jail for safe keep
ing. He was spirited out of La Junta
concealed in a gunny sack on the floor
of an auto, after mob of 500 people
had gathered, bent on burning him at the
stake. He will be kept here until the
time for his trial. Behind six rows of
steel doors in the county Jail, Harris
relaxed for the first time and told his
story of the trouble and his subsequent
escape and capture to representative
of The Star-Journal.
"a am % years old and married." be-
gan Harris last night in recounting
the story of the crime, 81 have always
lived with my folks except when out
on the road. my occupation being a
Pullman sleeping car porter. For some
time ran out of Denver on the Union
Pacific. then was shifted to Pueblo
on Missouri Pacific run. My folks.
with the exception of my sister, reside
in Rocky Ford.
Il had been there for about g
months now. being out of work. /
knew both Chief Craig and Marshal
Ripper well. always spoke to them on
the streets, and l thought we were
friends. never had any trouble with
them before this affair.
"on the Fourth of July remained
at home with my folks. We had a
little something to celebrate on think
that there was a dozen bottles of beer
and bottle of whisky in the house and
we and our friends drank that was
not drunk, but had been drinking some of
the liquor.
AT about 1920 after the arrival of
the night train, the officers entered the
house. They were rough and insulting
and first hit my father and mother sting
ing blows. It ended up with me shooting
in self defense. Believe me would not
kill a man for nothing or until had to dc
1t.
Then ran from the house and for
the river. remained there all the rest
of that night. stopping every little while
to wash the blood off my eyes. 1t blind
ed me so could not see where was 60
ing. went about three miles down the
river where hid in some bushes. was
cold and damp. but stuck it out through
that night and all the next day.
The next morning | saw men-with shot
guns and rifles walking up and down the
river. Although | was not sure of it. /
suspicioned that they were bunting for
me and | was afraid, not OF the regular
course of the law, but what might be
done to me by az irresponsible band of
young fellows who | had seen drinking
around Rocky Ford the day before.
81 Just lay where was and they walked
on all sides of me. Once they came so
close that could hear what they were
talking about and then no logger had
any doubts of their intentions. They
were looking for me and were gong to
burn me to the stake if they succeeded in
locating me. Then was more frighten-
ed than ever and although my head was
hurting frightfuily, just stayed where
was until very late the next night
Then got so cold and sick that | did
not care what happened to me and
made my way into Rocky Ford. All Of
that time had not eaten a bite and
was weak from loss of blood and burger.
az approached the church from
roundabout way and it was then that the
fellow with d gun did not care to tackle
me, altF ough tell you was harmless,
and walked away.
The next morning when they raped
at the door of the parsonage, | asked
them who they were. They said they
were the mayor and an officer and | told
them that surrendered and asked them
to step back from the door, while threw
out the gun and marched forth with my
hands up. They did and have been