Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02

THEN one day Ballard received q letter from
Frank Parks, an old-time cowman who had
worked on the Circle Diamond" range in New
Mexico at the time Musgraves was a cowboy
with that outfit. In his letter Parks stated that
he had just seen and spoken to George Mus
graves in Grand Junction, Colo
Ballard promptly hurried to Grand Junction,
but when he arrived the wanted man had de-
parted for some destination unknown. The
officer learned that in his conversation with
Parks Musgraves had Internationally revealed
that he possessed considerable knowledge con.
corning a certain remote region in Nebraska.
There might be nothing in it, but Ballard de-
cided to look the district over the off chance
that the ex-bandit was living there. Reaching
a small town Ballard spent some time In watch
ing the people. At last there came sauntering
along q man who bore some resemblance to
George Musgraves.
"Howdy. George" Ballard greeted him.
The fellow looked bewildered. why, guess
you're mistaken" he answered MY names Ed
Ed Mason.
But you look a heap like George Murgraves."
persisted the officer, land you're under arrest"
what for?"
1.-THE murder of George Parker on the Circle
Diamond range New Mexico, IS years ago."
Arrived at the jail the captive declared
vehemently that he intended to sue Ballard for
false imprisonment. The officer was not ahso-
lutely certain, of course, that his prisoner was
George Musgraves.
WELL" said Ballard thoughtfully, "Iu send
for somebody to identify you"
who will you get?" demanded the prisoner
Thereupon Ballard named several of the old
"Crcle Diamond" cowboys.
change passed over the suspected mans
face. "You needn't go to the trouble" he
growled I'm your man."
Lodged in Jail at Roswell, N. Mex. Musgraves
was released on a large bond. Before the time
for his trial arrived the ex-bandit put in some
excellent work as a propaganda on his own
behalf
When Musgraves came to trial several of the
most important witnesses refused to testify
against him. Some of them remembered his
vindictiveness, others were Influenced by the
Justification propaganda" he had planted in
their minds. In this dilemma District Attorney
Fullen appealed to Sheriff Cicero Stewart for
assistance in getting further evidence for the
prosecution.
Stewart brought along two witnesses from
STEMS Pass, near the battle-ground on Deer
Creek One of these men was the proprietor
of general store that members of the gang
had robbed. When this witness had identified
Musgraves as one of the bandits concerned in
the attack on his store Judge William Pope
Cancelled Musgraves' bond and remanded him
to jail for the remainder Of the trial
But despite all that the prosecutors could do
Musgraves was acquitted Soon after this he
left for Ell Paso, where he persuaded Joe Ma
tions, wealthy Texas cattleman, to finance
him in buying beasts in Old Mexico Nations
placed the necessary funds to Musgraves' credit
at a bank and the ex-bandit bought a herd Of
cattle from a widow and wrote her a check for
several thousand dollars in payment. Not being
familiar with business methods the widow did
not Immediately pay this check in and when
Musgraves received his bank statement show
ing that the check had not yet been presented
he saw his chance. Drawing out the whole de-
q AbSCODded as
of him he was on q train in Old Mexico-with
$4,000 in q suitcase and ticket for South
America And SO yet another member Of the
BLACK Jack" gang quilted the stage
Immediately after the battle on Deer Greek.
when Charlie Hayes was killed, Black Jack him.