Year: 1879

STRATEGY OF NEBRASKA HORSE THIEVES


MASSACRE PLANNED AND PARTLY EXECUTED


NECESSITY OF STRONG REPREssIyE MEASURES


FORT HARTsUFF. Nebraska July 27, 1879.


w. II. ii. Llewellyn, detective arrived at this
post yesterday from the Niobrara country where lie
had recently engaged in desperate conflict with the
horse thieves who infest that region, under COM
mand of their chief, Doc Middleton. Mr.. Llewcllyn
arrived ct this post about noon, gave substan-
TALLY the following account of his adventures -'I
went to the Niobrara to consult with Middleton who
had expressed desire to reform and live under the
laws a respectable citizen. Our intercourse had
been of friendly nature. but he appeared some-
what suspicious of my intentions. At length
time and place of meeting decided upon. in
accordance with which were to meet at the house
of q settler whom subsequent events proved to be
in league with the outlaws. While at the house l
noticed two three parties of mounted men ap-
preaching from different directions. l felt some-
what uneasy. and finally said to my companion.
man named Hazen. who had accompanied me. Il
think we had better be moving down the road


CONCERTED rREAcHERY.


'We set out, Middleton accompanying with two
or three of his gang AS we proceeded the parties
before mentioned, after another. joined Soon
after We all together Middleton suddenly dis
mounted. and drawing his six-shooter commenced
firing at us. We returned the fire, my comrade and
both aiming at the same man. an individual named
Holt, whom we killed. Middleton advanced against
Hazen, the man who with me- and fired at him
twice. both shots taking effect. Hazen appeared to
have lost his self possession. he made effort to
defend himself but called out, Don't shoot me!
don't shoot mel! After Hazen fell put my horse
ut the top Of his speed and left the field under vol
ley, no shot. luckily. striking either my horse
myself. detective named Dickens was posted near
the scene of the conflict in the bushes lie opened fire
soon after the tight commenced. think he killed
during its continuance. as the last of him he
seemed to fall forward, but have started to
or he may have fallen purposely to avoid the bull
let's. He had no horse with him and it hardly
possible for him TO escape. Two detectives in the
service of the Union Pacific Railroad were in the
vicinity at the time and their fate is uncertain the
outlaws seemed anxious to surround and kill all the
civil officers in the country. The horse thieves suf
fered as well ourselves in the encounter Holt
was killed and Middleton was apparently shot as his
horse escaped from his control and he placed his
hand on his breast If he had been struck there
think Dickens shot him. Another man rode away as
fast as his horse could carry him. beng either shot
or badly frightened


VISITING FIELD.


Fifteen men left Hartsuff this morning under
dcrs to arrest any deserters who may be found in
the Niobrara country. Detective Lleweilyn goes
with them in order to revisit the field and ascertain
If possible the fate of his comrades The operations
of the outlaws are now assuming character that
imperatvely calls for the interference of the govern
meut If the State OF Nebraska is not able to pre-
order within its borders of the great in
terests affected should endeavor to protect them
selves. The Union Pacific Railroad is vitality inter-
ested. as emissaries from these gangs are in all
probability concerned in the late train robber-
les. The great cattle interest is affected by their
operations here where large capital is represented,
ment is not strong enough these various interests
sufficiently powerful to drive the desperadoes
back to their native Texas Or what is much better,
to break up and exterminate the entire band