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

TO George Parker, well known New Mexico
cattleman, former employe named George
MusgraveS sent this short message: I'm going
to pump you full of lead. Compliments from
the Black jack gang!
Now Parker knew MurgraveS well; the man
had worked cattle for him. Some difference or
other had arisen on the range and a quarrel
had enSued. MuSgraves had gone his way and
Judging by the note-had ended up by joining
the BLACK jack gang. When this threatening
note arrived however. George Parker laughed
it Off.
The Fall roundup was in full swing. The
wagon that constituted the temporary head
quarters of the Circle Diamond" outfit was To-
Gated on the Rio Felix, west of Roswell, N. Mex
That day the roundup had been completed and
the big herd turned loose by noon. Men and
horses had moved fast under the skilled super
vision of the boss George Parker. Out from
under billow of alkali dust raced so mounted
men-the "Circe Diamond" boys eager to reach
the food wagon Beside the wagon sitting idly
in the shade of stretched tarpaulin, they saw
George Murgraves and Charlie Hayes-both
members of the BLACK Jack" gang.
MuSgraveS shambled out to meet them. All
the men knew him well. George Parker was
the last man to come riding up Having
finished greeting the cowboys, Musgraves turned
to Parker, who promptly extended his big hand
with smile of reconciliation.
and with that he clutched the reins Of Parker,s
horse Before Parker could utter a word the
outlaws pistol flashed. The startled horse
Feared, and Murgraves fired again the
rancher fell from his saddle and lay on the
ground motionless. Callously, Musgraves walked
up to him and emptied his six-shooter into the
dying mans head.
Mortified and enraged the Circle Diamond"
men closed on the murderer, though not man
among them was armed. Thereupon Charlie
Hayes stepped forward with two leveled ASS in
his hands covering the crowd.
"Stand backp' he called out. And he kept
them at bay while Murgraves quickly reloaded
his revolver.
The two men ordered the saddle horse herd
to be driven up close and then roped out two
Of the best animals. The pair swung themselves
up on their stolen mounts fired a few shots
into the camp and rode away. D.,
The outlaws figures had barely diminished
to a couple of dots when little Dick Johnson
the lghtest rider with the outft-leaped on to
the swiftest mount in the remuda and headed
for Roosevelt, As miles away. Three hours later
Deputy United States Marshal Charlie Ballard
and Sheriff Fred Higgins galloped out of Ros-
well at the head of posse of dozen armed
citizens
But though the officers rode hard, they could
not overtake the fugitives hundred and
fifty miles on the trail brought them to the
western side of New Mexico, into the wild region
dominated by the BLACK Jack" gang. They
soon became aware of the sinister influence
exercised by the bandits, for the cowmen they
encountered refused to give any information
concerning the outlaws. The possemen, with
varying excuses, turned back one at a time
until finally Ballard and Higgins were left
Deputy Ballard wired his chief at Albuquerque
requesting that Sheriff Lee Dow from Eddy
County be sent to them. Dow joined the other
two at Deming.
The three men drew up at ranch to borrow
fresh horses.
moi" snapped the foreman. mot If you are
after the Black Jack crowd"
I'VE are officers of the United States of
America and the Territory of New Mexico"
announced Sheriff Dow.
IF you git any ponies from me-" replied the
rancher, you'll have to steal EN-"
wen get horses and won't steal EN-
either" snapped Dow. Your horses are con-
fiscated in the name Of the law"
The foreman offered no further resistance
and Ofhcers Dow, Higgins and Ballard dashed
away on good mounts BY riding a succession
of fast horses confiscated in similar fashion
from various ranches, the trio covered great
distance within very short time.
A T Separ they learned that Murgraves and
Hayes, now only few hours in the lead
had tarried long enough to rob the store and
post office Hayes had beaten Postmaster