The chronicle=news., 1913-08-04

arrest him. The negro was shot and
killed and once again Kreeger mar
rowly escaped being shot himself.
KreeGer's reputation u an officer
WAS generally known and time and
again ne had been detailed to round
up cattle rustlers and noted crimI-
mails In New Mexico. He had traver-
sed every foot Of ground between
Pueblo and the southern line Of New
Mexico. lie figured In the 'cxpedi-
tion that run to earth the notorious
Black Jack" Ketchum. who was
hung NJ Clayton more than ten years
ago. A book could be written set
ting forth the multitude OF cases In
which he has been engaged and the
arrests that resulted.
One Of his most notable experien-
ces OF recent years was In December
Of 1909, when he headed the posse
that rounded up Felix Martinez In q
canon 1t the extreme peastern part
Of the county. beyond Troy. Marti.
nsz hal slain five members Of =
Garcia family with an axe aud escap-
ed with sixteen year old Eiri. The
writer accompanied him on this man
hunt For two days and nights
Krccxcr traiied the bandit over the
SHOWS OF the prairie and mesa until
he finally had Martinez penned In
the entrance OF . narrow cave In the
hillside. Martinez. realizing that
capture MAS inevitable. raised his
rifle nnd shot the girl and Il has al
ways been presumed blew out his
own brains. A, any rate MARITIME,
was found dead by the posse. Since
that time KreexsT Ii said TO have ad.
miticd that approaching the canon
mouth where Martinez was in hid
Ing. the fugitive raised his rifle to
shoot and that he fired. The bullet
struck = vital SPOT and the blood Of
Martinez stained the snow with tina,
OF his xiri victim.
Fur sixty miles over the snow-cov-
cred T.airic beyond Trinchera.
KrecGcr led his party. Part Of the
way the rath was oblitcred by bius-
icrinE snow storm. Day and night
he kept on the trail Of the despcrado
The courage displayed by the vener-
able officer In this case was one Of
notable instances In his career.
An example OF devotion to duty
was s,rikinxly emphasized In August
Of 1910 when an attempt was made
by masked bandits to hold up and
rob the pay WAGON Of the Victor
America, Fuel Co. on the Grey Greek
road. An outridcr ahead Of the WA
gon was shot from his horse bu, the
robbery Was frustrated. A q result
OF the confession of one Charles
Tumelson. who Was In the plot.
three mcr were sentenced to the
state MISUNDERSTANDING Marti-
nex. Red Bruce and Squick Kreeker.
Luis kreexer secured \ portion Of
the evidence that resulted In his
own son being sent to n prison cell.
During the years OF his service as
an officer krccger was also one of
the most dependable political work
ers. Az an officer he put In more
hours IN duty than any man who
ever wore q star In this section of
the country. He exhibited an inter.
est In his work that made him the
most valuable man on the payroll Of
Las Animas county. He was always
on hand to carry a payroll to the |
mining camps and has transported
perhaps more than a million dollars
during his years a. an officer.
The deceased IL survived by his
mother md sister and several broth
ers. by his widow and four daugh-
ters and cne son. The daughters are
Minte. Emma and Anna Kreeger.
who reside here and Mrs. Phoebe
Silbn. Anna Kreeger has been for
some tim. at n sanitarium in Pueb-
10. ". s. Kreeger is his only son
Several grandchildren also live here
among them Leola Kreeger. who has
always lived with the deceased.
The funeral will take place to-
morrow morning at $3.50 from the
Catholic church west of the city.
High mass will he sung and Father
Good will officiate. The county Of
fices will close during the hours of
the funeral, I 4 f0lThH e.1,-l
The deceased at one time owned
considerable property. About two
months ago he sold tract OF land
at Valdez fon $1,000. During his life
he was generous to his friends and
benefactor to anyone who came to
him with a hard luck story. HiaI