The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-08-24
Paso-its all one to me- enjoy drink

Paso-it's all one to me. enjoy drink
ing with you anyway"
Duane thanked him. conscious Of
reserve and dignity that he could no
have felt or pretended three months
before And then, as always, he was
a good listener. Colonel Webb told
among other things, that he had come
out to the Big Bend to look over the
affairs Of deceased brother who haG
been a ranoher and a sheriff of one OF
the towns Fairdale by name
Found no affairs, no ranch not
even his grave" said Colonel Webb
And tell you sir, If helrs any tough
er than this Fairdale l don't want t.
| expiate my sins there
'Fairdale. l imagine sheriffs
have hard row to hoe out here" re-
piled Duane, trying not 10 appear Gu
rious.
| The colonel swore Justify.
| My brother was the only honest
/ sheriff Fairdaie ever had. 1t was won
| derful how long he lasted But he had
| nerve, he could throw a gun, and he
| was on the square. Then he was wise
enough to conf1ne his work to Offend
| ers of his own town and neighborhood.
/ He let the riding outlaws aiHne, else
! he wouldn't have lasted at ALL >
( What this frontier needs, sir, is about
! SIX companies of Texas rangers"
! Duane was aware OF the colonies
| close scrutiny,
DO YOU know anything about the
service" he asked.
Il used to. Ten years ago when I
lived in San Antonio. a fine body of
men, sir. and the salvation of Texas. "
Governor Stone doesn't entertain
that opinion" said Duane.
Here Colonel Webb exploded Mani
! testify the governor was not his choice
for chief executive OF the great state
He talked politics for a while, ard OF
the vast territory west Of the Pecos
that seemed never to get benefit from
Austin. He talked enough for Duane
to realize that here was just the kind
of intelligent. we'll informed, honest
citizen that he had been trying to
meet. He exerted himself thereafter
to be agreeable and interesting: and
he saw presently that here was an op-
porunity to make q valuable acouain-
lance, IL not friend.
m a stranger in these parts" said
Duane. finally. What is this outlaw
situation you speak Off"
It's dannable sir, and unbelievable
Not rustling any more, but Just whole
sale herd stealing. in which some big
cattlemen, supposed to be honest, ars
equal! ~'7ilty with the outlaws On
this border, you know. the rustIer has
always been able to steal cattle in any
numbers. But to get rid of big punches
that's the hard job. The Gang on
Grating between here and Valentine
evidently have not this trouble. No
body Knows where the stolen stock
goes. But I'm not alone in nv opinion
that most of 1t goes to several big
stockmen. They ship to San Antonio
Austin, New Orleans. also to Ell Paso
II you travel the stock road between
here and Maria and Valentine you'll
see dead cattle all along the line and
ir,f ~ rr-t--
have been eriven fast and far. ard
stragslers are not rounded up"
Wholesale business, eh?" remarked
duane. Who are these-er-big stock
buyers?"
Colonel Webb seemed little startled
at the abrupt query. He bent his pen
Grating gaze upon Duane and thought
fully stroked his pointed beard.
Names, Of course, I'll not mention
Opinions are one thing, direct accusa-
ton another. This Is not healthy
country for the inforner"
When 1t came to the outlaws them
selves Colonel Webb was disposed to
talk freely. Duane could not Judge
whether the colonel had hobby Of
that subject or the outlaws were so
striking in personality and deed that
any man would know all about them
The great name along the river was
Cheseldine. but 1t seemed to be a name
IL. IN
son OF veracity known to Colonel Webb
had ever seen Cheseldine, and hose
who claimed that doubtful honor varied
so adversely in descriptions of the
chief that they confused the reality
and lent to the outlaw only further
mystery Strange to say Of an outlaw
leader, as there was no one who could
identify him, SO there was no one who
could prove he had actually killed a
man. Blood flowed like water over the
Big Bend country, and it was Chesel-
dine who spilled it. Yet the fact re-
NAMED there Were no eye witnesses to
connect any individual called Chesel-
dine with these deeds of violence But
in striking contrast to this mystery
was the person, character and cold
blooded action of Poggin and Knell the
chiefs lieutenants. They were faniil-
lar figures in all the towns within 200
miles of Bradford. Knell had a record.
Of victims Poggin was supreme. If
Poggin had friend no one ever heard
of him. There We're 100 stories of his,
nerve, his wonderful speed with a gun,
mis- passion for gambling. his love of
horse-his cold, implacable, inIauman
wiping out of his path any man that
crossed it.
nae sse said Colonel q nave WEBB tsrTlese
times ] wonder IL he's not only a
name. In that case where does the
brains of this gang come from? No.
there must be a master craftsman be-
kind this border pillage; master ca :
pable Of handling those terrors Poggin
and Knell. OF all the thousands OF
outlaws developed by western Texas
| in the last 90 years, these three are
the greatest. In southern Texas. down
between the Pecos and the Neuccs
\ there nave been and are still MANY bad
men. But doubt If any OUTLAW there
4 possibly excepting Buck Duane evel
cquaIed Poggin. You've heard OF this
| Duane 2"
/ Yes, a little.s replied Duane quietly
| Tn from southern Texas. Buck Duane
| then, is known out here?"
4 why, man, where isn't his name
lsnowns? ?" replied Colonel Webb. .I'vs
kept track of his record as T. have al
\ the others. or course, Duane, being {
lone outlaw. Is somewhat OF q nayster,
ALSO, but not like Cheseldilae. Out her,
4 there have drifted many stories d
Duane, horrible some OF them. Blu
4 despite them a sort OF ramance cling.
\ to that Neuces outlaw He's killes
i three great outlaw leaders, believe
4 Bland, Hardin and the other 81 forgot
4 Hardin was known In the Big Bend
~