Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1916-05-12

Recent developments IN the case OF
Oscar Gerdes, alias Jesse Starr, con-
yicted in the last term Of court at Las
Cruces of the killing of Sheriff Stcph-
ems of Luna county. have aroused no
little interest here. An appeal of the
the ease was taken TO the supreme
court of New Mexico, by attorneys
Heron and Sherry, and Gerdes, who
was TO have been executed on April
u, has been granted a respite by the
action of the court.
The story young Gerdes, or Starr,
as he was known at the time of the
Jail delivery in Deming, Is interest
ing in the extreme. The details of
the escape. the pursuit, the battle in
the foothills at Rincon, the death OF
Stephens, the capture and trial Of the
outlaws is still fresh in the minds OF
Luna county people. 1t is not known
generally, however, that young
Gerdes was masquerading under an
assumed name, and that he has a
most interesting life and history.
The prisoner Starr, during the trial
was one of the most stocial ever to
be charged with a serious crime. His
attorneys were unable to do little for
him, and he was convicted Of killing
Sheriff Stephens, OF Luna county,
while that officer headed n posse in
pursuit of Starr and four others
who had escaped from the custody
in II spectacular Jail delivery. The
accused sat stocially while Judge
Medler pronounced sentence, and
closed with the words: Jesse Starr
Hanged by the neck until
dead" Then the young man realiz-
I'D the terrible truth and went into n
conference with his attorneys. Grad
ually they learned from him that he
was native of lialletsville, Texas.
That he came from n good family.
| That his name was not Starr, that
he was not connected with the no.
torious Starr family of Oklahoma,
but that he wa, Oscar Gerdes. That
he had always borne n good rcputa-
ton until the unfortunate occurrence
BY which he was mcarcerated in the
Luna county jail.
Gcrdes had previously spent year
in st. Louis, breaking and training
horses for the English cavalry. AT
the expiration of this service he had
learned of a opportunity near Dem
ing TO engage in like work and as
sist in buying horses for the allies,
and went to Deming. He was un-
able Ia find the employment sought,
and after some time found himself
without funds. lie fell into unde-
sirablc company and was one night
caught in the act of attempting to
enter and rifle Dcming saloon. He
was in the Luna county Jail on the
day the iailor was ovcrpowered and
took part in the escape and flight
with the other prisoners. The pris-
oncrs. a. will be remembered, were
surprised ut lunch by the sheriff and
hi, posse. who. Gerdes claims. sur.
rounded them and began firing with
out warning, and without demand
for their surrender. Gerdes was hit
in the leg at the first fire from the
posse. He had the big gun in his pos
session. and dragged il after him
and fred point blank at the sheriff,
killing him instantly. The sheriff.
posses rctrcated and later Gerdes
gave himself up and was brought to
Las cruces. When the attorneys
learned of the whereabouts of Gerdes'
relatives they were appraised Of the
youug mans conviction. His moth.
cr, aged seventy, and sister, live
at llalletsville. A brother, Leo
Gerdes. accompanied by attorney W.
7, Bagley, came Immediately to Las
Cruces and took part in the ease.
The appeal to the supreme court had
already been perfected by attorneys
Heron and Sherry. and the ease
will be heard at future session of
that court.
The Gerdes family is prominent
Texas family of ranchers, and Leo
Gerdes is a well known stockman in
his section. Attorney Bagley is
friend of the family, and is democrat
lie floor leader in the Texas house Of
representatives. The men have spent
some time here investigating the case
and preparing for the trial before the
sopreme court of New Mexico, which
will be held in the near future.-Rio
Grande Republic.