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A DESPERADO’S CAREER. Iwxx.d un nr colokado obafh-ZOALLT DBLIUEATBD.A Wan Who Wa» Alwar* Hearty (o , Klioot—Fate of a marshal \» ho Tried to Capture Him.A recent issue of the Denver Tribune says: Salida, in Chaffee county, has of late sprung into notoriety as a live town —one full of “life,” anlt;l possessing the glory of being “bad.” It has gained this unenviable reputation because of tlie numerous shooting nnd cutting affrays j and a hanging bee which have occurred there. The last event of a tragic nature in the place occurred four days ago in a dance hall, resulting in the death of a marshal of the town, Baxter Stingley.It was a cold-blooded homicide, and Frank Reed, a noted desperado, was the murderer.The facts have never yet been given to the public. They are interesting because they form a supplementary chapter to the lynching of Edward Watkins by cowboys some time ago.Reed was at one time employed by Watkins, his recklessness and daring making him a valuable acquisition to the corps of herders. He was feared by all the Watkins cowboys and naturally their leader. Like nearly all others of his nature and disposition, he was accused of [ cattle-stealing, and as conclusive proof j of his guilt was found, the grand jury, at the first opportunity, found a true bill against him, and he became a fugitive from justice.At the time of the Watkins lynching Reed appeared at Halida heavily armed, and with the express determination of revenging the death of his former employer. Ne one thought of interfering j with him, and no effort to capture him . was made, lie was feared because of his dangerous custom of using a revolver, | and was held in great respect because of his mammoth proportions and his powers j as an athlete. He was, in a measure, the terror of the community. ! iAbout four weeks ago a man named Jamison was wanted for some trivial offense, and Marshal Stingley, with a deputy, attempted to make the arrest.I They tracked their man to a point outside of the town, and suddenly came jupon him. But he was not alone. They 'were dismayed to find him with Frank Reed. Quick work was necessary, and pulling out a revolver, Stingley covered Jamison and ordered him to hold up his hands, which he did. Reed was not to '■k be caught, though. Leveling his Henry 'rifle at the deputy he held the latter up, lt;at the same time threatening to kill 1Stingley if lie made any attempt either ito arrest or kill Jamison. The latter saw'! his advantage. Stingley was unable to I protect himself, as his hack was turned to Reed. Jamison made his escape, and ( Reed drove the officers away. ,Reed returned to Salida as if nothing had occurred, knowing full well that his character as a desperado would save him from arrest, lie often met Stingley, ;and though the latter made 110 demon- 1stration, it w as generally understood that he was only aw aiting a good opportunity to be revenged. A sight of Reed had the same effect upon him that a red flag has upon a mad null. It enraged him 1 and urged him on to take Reed a prisoner and lock him up for cattle stealing, which means a long time in the penitentiary.The feud between the two men finally lt;I became so bitter that finally, at the sug- jI gestion of friends, they met and had a consultation. In order that there should II be no bloodshed, and to show that the ]intentions of all were peaceful, the men !were disarmed, they leaving their revolvers in a box-car. The conference occurred about a week before the murder.It did not end as the friends of the principals had hoped. Stingley asserted that, as an officer of the law, he would arrest Reed when he saw a chance, upon the cattle-stealing indictment. He did not intend to spare him, no matter what his record was.“You will*never arrest, me, Stingley,” said Reed, coolly, “because 1 will not be taken alive. When you come for me come with two revolvers in your hands, and have them cocked.”Had Stingley heeded the advice and used a little caution he might have escaped with his life.On the night of October 28, as Marshal Stingley was entering a dance hall, he was stopped at the door by a gambler (John Hughes), who said: “Don’t go in there, Stingley. Reed is there with two 1 revolvers, and there’ll be trouble.”Without stopping to make an answer, Stingley entered the place. The warning was interpreted by him as an accusation of cowardice. He determined to resent it. The story of the shooting is best told by Mr. B. F. Garrison, an attorney of Salida, who was in the city yesterday, nnd who was present at the scene of the murder.“Stingley walked into the room, and, espying Reed, strode up to him. Pulling out his revolver, he held it close to Reed’s head and commanded him to hold up his hands and surrender himself. Reed, with a smile on his lips instantly did as he was commanded. Then Stingley made the mistake which cost him his life. Instead of calling upon some one in the room to disarm Reed, he tried to do the job himself. This was the opportunity Reed wanted, for, as soon as Stingley came within reach, he suddenly seized the revolver, wrenched it from the hand of the officer, and then, without losing a moment, fired three shots into his body.He fell to the floor, and in less than five minutes was dead. Although there were no less than one hundred and fifty men in the hall, not one lifted his hand in aid of Stingley. Instead, a general stampede followed, and those few who remained were frightened by a shot over their heads from Reed’s pistol. The desperado and murderer had no difficulty in making his escape, and nothing has since been heard of bim.”The excitement over the affair has not yet died out, and it is predicted that more bloodshed will follow.Deceased was a member of the Rocky Mountain Detective association, and only a short time before the tragedy was told by General Cook to be extremely cautious in dealing with the rough character* of the community, as they were dangerous.
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Greenville Banner
Greenville, Virginia, US
Wed, Dec 05, 1883
Page 3
Full Page
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USA 18 Jun 2019
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