Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-26

shoot unless In self-defense and that they must
step out and call Halt federal oficers!"
Usually they open IRE, point blank at the first
word of the challenge. while rain Of shots
opens up from the opposite side of the river
from ambush. Then the battle is on.
It was from ambush that Lon Parker
killed in July, 1926, while scouting alone in
the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, murder
that ended the career Of the trailer Of
Arizona, but founded legend that will live as
long as the patrol Is in operation His ability to
follow trail was uncanny, but he liked best
to work alone, contrary to regulations, and
because Of this met hts fate in the desert.
There are many stories of his prowess, and on
more than occasion he captured single
handed bands Of armed smugglers
TN November, 1924, lone patrol of the
desert he "cut the tracks" of a pack train
headed across the mountains Over the rocky
terrain, where only occasional signs indicated a
passing, he followed the trail until he came TO
high-walled gorge whose only entrance was a
marrow opening.
It was high noon and the smugglers four
in number, were taking their siesta. Even the
guard was asleep with his gun across his knees.
Lon woke the party to action by taking pot
shot at the boulder on which the guard was
sitting. The smuggler jumped to his feet and
fed, firing as he went. The others took TO their
heels, blazing away at Parker.
Taking careful aim the patrolman shot at the
FIRST attacker. He fell in his tracks, wounded
In the left leg. Another of the contrabandstas
was sending a storm of shots from the canyon
rim. Parker's gun barked a second time and
got him in the left leg.
The others got away. temporarily and Parker
pranced his two injured Mexcans back to camp,
together with their three horses. burro, saddles
and brides and supply of whisky and mescal.
For months afterward they kidded him about
the exploit, for he was officially commended for
his consideration in shooting em in the left
leg when he had right to shoot to kill.
Upon another occasion, accompanied by
Patrol Inspector Albert Gatlin, he picked up a
trail near. Lewis Springs, Ariz, and followed it
for IS miles in four hours. 1t led over a series
of small rocky hills, covered with dry grass and
small brush where even horses left only oc-
caSional footprints. With unerring accuracy he
followed 1t into the town of Tombstone and to
o corral where he got his man.
Many horses are ridden in Tombstone and
following his quarry through the maze of local
traffic was an accomplishment IN itself. In
such work one officer does the trailing while
the other watches ahead for possible ambush
Every ruse is used by the fugitives to hide their
tracks, such as putting the horses shoes
backwards or tying pieces of automobile tires
70 their feet. Often the officer must dismount
and follow the tracks ON foot. the signs being
30 dim as to be almost invisible unless one is
close to the ground
When the trail is lost the men separate and
cut sign; that is, ride back and forth until
u is picked up at another place At water holes
and in rocky country hours are often lost In
this fashion. Parker lost the trail only once In
the entire 40 miles, O feat that was put down
as miraculous tracking"
They like to recount In the Southwest to the
M members Of the patrol the remarkable story
OF Frank Edgelrs wild rde-90 miles on horse
HON nd M ~ he ~