OCR Text |
Show 58 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. Weeks passed before he was heard of again. He wrote a friend to sell some property and send the money to him at Kansas City. The letter fell into the hands of W. H. Middaugh, acting as the people's sheriff, and who undertook the dangerous mission of capturing him. Taking the coach to Leavenworth, he intercepted Gordon on the high prairies, within sight of the line of the Indian Territory, whilst he was lying on the grass by the side of the trail, holding his horse by the bridle and allowing it to feed. When Middaugh read the warrant for his arrest, a death-like paleness covered his face and every nerve seemed to tremble. He was taken to Leavenworth, where a single half-hour's trial was held, and, in mockery of justice, he was acquitted, on the plea that the deed was committed outside the jurisdiction of that place, notwithstanding the long-asserted authority of Kansas to the contrary. A violent mob gathered around the house, however, with the avowed intention of hanging him. He placed himself under the protection of the Mayor. The wildest excitement prevailed. The seething, angry crowd surged to and fro, and, as night came on, bonfires were built, which threw their lurid light far out over a scene at once weird and fearful. Infuriated men armed with muskets, revolvers and knives, were sending up the fierce demand: "Hang him! Hang him!" Mayor McDowell expostulated with the rioters, and made several speeches urging obedience to the law. The ruling spirits at last agreed that Gordon should be delivered to Middaugh. The scene that ensued was indescribable. The brave officers gathered around the pris- |