History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 33

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

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Laramie, who knew of his exploits in that city, cautioned the people of Leadville that he was a dangerous man, and that he should be closely watched, and from the time he first commenced his career of lawlessness, until the morning when he was found hanging from a rafter, he was the subject of the closest surveillance, and as the instances of his crimes multiplied, the number of those who watched his every move- ment increased. Nothing was sacred to him ; his only guide was his inclination, and his in- clination usually led him to jump such lots as he could most readily dispose of to third par- ties, unaware of the method by which he had obtained possession. Neither the patent title nor the squatter's title was a bar to his inclination- neither was respected. If he coveted a lot he took it, and if any one stood in his way, or any house interfered with his purpose, either was unceremoniously bounced. In one instance a man was driven from his bed, while Frodsham and his associates took and held possession ; in another instance, a house partially erected was torn down, the carpenters driven from the the ground and another house erected ; in another instance the owner of the house having been warned of the intent, and keeping a guard constantly in the house, the latter was surround- ed at midnight, and a volley of rifle shots poured into the house, the balls endangering the lives of the sleeping inmates ; in another instance the owner of the house with his friends, after an ineffectual resistance, was driven out at the muzzles of a dozen pistols. Cases of lot-jumping were no novelty to the people of Leadville, but they were usually cases in which both claimants had some shadow of legal right to the premises in dispute. It became appar- ent, however, that there was an organized corps of lot-jumpers, and the entire community was united in the determination to put a stop to the proceedings of lawlessness thus inangurated. The courts were resorted to and able counsel employed, but with the aid of his associates, men to whom perjury was a mere breath Frodsham always succeeded in getting free.

Willard B Fellow

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

Then came the last resort of Western justice, the court of Judge Lynch, and when the idea had become familiarized in the minds of those interested, it was merely a matter of time.

While this excitement in regard to lot-jump- ing was in progress, there was another matter which added fuel to the flame. The profession of the footpad had been indulged in Leadville from the earliest days of the city, and the pe- culiar advantages afforded by the rapid growth of the town, and the topographical character of the surrounding country, as well as the fact that many of the victims, even had they known their assailants, preferred to suffer the loss rather than be subjected to the cross examina- tion of counsel, involving the disclosure of their secret haunts, operated as a bar to the discov- ery of the perpetrators, and emboldened by success, they increased their operations until finally those who were compelled to be out late at night were under an absolute reign of terror. Scarcely a night passed in which some victim, in many cases bruised and bleeding, did not rush into police headquarters and tell his tale of woe and loss from a highway robbery. The printers on morning papers on their way home kept together for self-protection, business men whose duties, or pleasures, or " lodge meetings" kept them out late, either hired a policeman to accompany them home or remained at a hotel overnight, and no one with anything of value on his person ventured outside of the more thickly populated thoroughfares after 9 o'clock. The papers found employment for extra report- ers in order to chronicle all the outrages perpe- trated on the public streets, and every morning the first question that was asked was "How many hold-ups last night ?" This is not an ex- aggerated statement, but a fair picture of the condition of Leadville from the month of Sep- tember to October, 1879. The suddenness of the attack of these gentry made it almost im- possible for the officers to find them, or for their victims to suscessfully resist them. The com- mand "hold up your hands," means obedience in the law of the border, and an order of this kind coming from behind an ash barrel or en- forced at the muzzle of a pistol as a corner is turned is likely to be obeyed to the letter. Oc- casionally, however, some man, either more courageous or more foolhardy, was quick enough to raise a pistol instead of his hands. In such cases the robbers either fled, daunted,

or the victim was bruised, and in some instances after the robbery was completed, left for dead beside the road. One of these instances of frightened resistance was the culminating point in the affair.

On the night of Saturday, November 15, a young man named Bockhaus, a barber, was returning to his home on Lower State street when he was suddenly accosted in the usual manner-"Hold up your hands." From his after statements it is evident that he was so frightened that he did not really know what his next movement was, but before leaving the place where he had spent the evening he had secured a pistol, and held it in his hand as he went toward home, whistling to keep his courage up. As the command came, he saw two men confronting him with pistols raised, and mechanically raising his arms as he became aware of his own weapon he dis- charged it twice. One of the robbers replied with a shot, the three men turning in oppo- site directions and running as rapidly as pos- sible. A short distance up the street Bock- haus ran into the arms of a policeman, and a little ways down one of the robbers was caught by another officer who happened to be in the vicinity. The tale of the little barber was not credited by the officer, who took him into custody and proceeded in the direction indicat- ed by him. Very soon they were met by the other officer and his prisoner, in whose hands had been found a large-sized old-fashioned Colt's revolver, with two chambers discharged. A lantern was procured and a search was in- stituted for the body, the barber insisting that he had shot one of the men through the body and that he could not have gone far. While this search was going on a door near by was opened and a gentleman informed the officers that the dead man could be found on his back porch. This gentleman had heard the shots and a moment afterward had heard a, man running around the house, then a heavy fall came on the porch, and on going out he found the man dead. An examination showed that though the pistol was of the smallest calibre manufactured-twenty-two caliber-the ball had passed entirely through the body, lodging in the skin near the spine.

The news that a footpad-one of the gang that had been for months terrorizing the town, had been shot, caused the most intense excite-

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ment, and as late as the hour was, the throng which accompanied the body of the robber to the coroner's numbered over a thousand excited men. The little barber whose fright had caused the death of the robber was the subject of warm congratulations, and found himself ele- vated to a popularity to which he had never expected to attain. Until nearly daylight the throng poured into the room in which the body lay, curious to see what a dead footpad re- sembled.

On the following day, Sunday, the streets being crowded, an impromptu procession was organized, and seated in a chair elevated upon the shoulders of a dozen stalwart men, and pre- ceded by a band of music, the hero of the honr -Bockhaus-was carried around the streets in a triumphal march. Toward the close of the parade, while moving down Chestnut street, some one called out, "To the jail," and as by one impulse the column turned in the direction of the city jail, where the captured highwayman was confined. Arrived at the jail, the mob de- manded the prisoner, and cries of "Hang him," "Lynch him," mingled with execrations of the vilest character, informed the prisoner of what he might expect if the mob should succeed in obtaining possession of the slight structure in which he was confined. The officers, however, succeeded in repelling the demonstration, and after a short parley the mob withdrew.

While these scenes were transpiring at the jail, a meeting of the stanch business men of the city was in session discussing the propriety of striking terror to the hearts of the despera- does, who seemed to have the city in their pow- er by proceeding in a body to the jail, taking the highwayman from the officers and hanging him to the nearest lamp post. Upon hearing of the disorderly and riotous proceedings by the mob, however, they postponed action, not car- ing to become identified with the disorderly element of the city, which was the most noisy in its demands for the punishment of the prisoner.

During the afternoon the prisoner, guarded by a heavy force of Deputy Sheriffs, was taken to the county jail, a substantial structure newly erected. It was ascertained during the day that the dead robber was named Clifford, and that he was a well-known desperado, who was even then under indictment for the robbery of a stage near Fort Worth, Texas. His compan-

ion was recognized as one Charles Stewart, and as one of a party of four who had been captured in the act of perpetrating a highway robbery the previous spring. Some little sympathy was expressed for him because of his youth and the fact that he had been wounded by a shot from the barber's pistol, but the seed sown in the two meetings of that day had taken root and were destined to bear ghastly fruit.

The numerous threats uttered among citizens of all grades led to the establishment of a strong guard at the jail, men being up all night within the walls. It was known to reporters and others that a number of meetings had been held with the avowed purpose of taking steps for the hanging of Stewart, and for several nights re- porters were on the qui vive watching the jail almost constantly. The meetings, however, also discussed the propriety of sending off Frodsham at the same time, but as it was uncertain how or when he could be taken, and as it was known that he was constantly surrounded by a gang of men as desperate as himself, no definite steps were taken, and after two or three days of ex- citement, matters began to resume their ordi- nary course. Frodsham was repeatedly warned that it was unsafe for him to remain in Lead- ville, but his only reply to the cantions was a sneer. He had been so long a frontier des- perado that he merely laughed at the restraints of law, and snapped his fingers at the intima- tion that he would be held responsible by the people whose rights he had outraged.

On Tuesday, November 18, he was arrested on the complaint of one of his victims, but by the advice of his attorney compromised the case and was set at liberty. It was no secret that if he should be once lodged in jail he would be "taken care of," and yet in the full knowledge of the fate which awaited him if he should fall into the hands of the men whom he had wronged, he walked the streets of Leadville as unconcerned as if he had never raised his hand in violation of the law or of the rights of others.

On Wednesday, Frodsham and his party pro- ceeded to a lot on which a small house was being erected, drove the workmen away, pulled down the timbers already in position, and noti- fied all parties that they proposed to hold the property, and that any attempt to dispossess them would be resisted with arms. This out- rage in the then excited condition of the city

249

HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

was the last straw. The patience of the people was exhausted, and it was perfectly apparent to those familiar with Western life that he had never been in greater danger since the day of his birth. Quite late in the evening he was ar- rested on a warrant charging him with disturb- ing the peace, and as the hour was too late for a hearing, he was placed in the county jail for safe keeping. The usual cage was filled with prisoners, and therefore he was given a cot in the corridor outside of the cage. Stewart, the wounded footpad, was also accommodated in the same place.

Shortly after 1 o'clock, on Thursday morning, November 20, the Under Sheriff of the county was,on his way home, and as he passed the jail noticed a number of men, in groups of three or four each, standing in the street and along the sidewalk. As he turned down the street lead- ing to his residence, these men closed in upon him, and he suddenly found himself a prisoner, firmly held by several men, and his own pistol pointed at his head to enforce obedience. All of the men wore black masks covering their heads, and a large number of those who seemed to be the leaders, were completely disguised in long black gowns. The Sheriff was assured that no harm was intended him, but that the party had come to get Frodsham and the foot- pad, and that he must give up the keys to the jail. The Sheriff assured them that the keys were not in his possession, but that the jail was locked from the inside. They then informed him that he must gain them admittance, and that he would be put in front, so that in case the guard should fire, he would be the first to receive it.

While this parley was in progress, a number of men passing along Harrison avenue, who exhibited a natural curiosity in regard to the unusual number of men congregated in the vicinity at such an hour, were halted and held by sentinels stationed for that purpose. Half a block away from the jail, in every direction, lines of pickets were stationed, who turned back every one who attempted to pass. The men having the Under Sheriff in charge marched him before them to the jail door, and compelled him to demand admittance. The guards, recog- nizing the voice of the officer, immediately opened the door, and in an instant were cov- ered by revolvers, and access to the interior departments of the jail demanded. Resistance under the circumstances was impossible, and

the doors leading into the cells were thrown open. In a moment forty masked men had filed in. Frodsham, from the first appearance of the men, divined their errand, and climbing on top of the cage, ran to the guard stationed there, begging protection. The guard, looking over the edge of the cage, was covered with pistols, and ordered to get down, with which command he promptly complied. Several of the men then climbed on top of the cage, and dragged the desperado down on the floor. As he fully realized that there was no hope for him, he merely requested permission to write a let- ler to his wife ; but the reply was made that there was no time to write letters then. His hands and feet were quickly bound, a handker- chief tied over his mouth, and the rope put around his neck. He was then led outside the jail to a small frame building in process of erection, the rope swung over a joist and pulled up, the rope being fastened to a beam. The party charged with this duty then returned, found young Stewart, and in a few moments had swung him up on the opposite side of the frame building. To Stewart's request that he might be allowed to write to his mother, the reply was: "You can write your letter in the morning." Until the vigilantes were satisfied that death had resulted, the officers were kept close prisoners under the muzzles of leveled revolvers. The work done, the throng of masked men disappeared as if by magic. The Under Sheriff was conducted by his guard out of the jail, and to his residence, passing the ghastly evidences of the night's work as he stepped from the doorway of the jail. The remaining vigi- lantes backed out, one by one, with pistols lev- eled at the officers, until but one remained, and as he stepped from the doorway he was almost instantly followed by an officer, but had van- ished, nothing to indicate what had been done remaining, except the bodies of the unfortunate victims swinging in the cold night wind, and a number of the black masks, which had been thrown aside after having served their purpose. The entire affair had been conducted with such promptness that within half an hour from the time when the vigilantes had first demanded admission to the jail, the men were dead, and their executioners had disappeared.

Upon the examination of the bodies, it was found that a sheet of foolscap had been pinned upon Frodsham's back, as follows :

250

HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

Notice to all lot thieves, bunko steerers, foot- pads, thieves and chronic bondsmen for the same, and sympathisers for the above class of criminals : This is our commencement, and this shall be your fates. We mean business, and let this be your last warning. [Here followed the names of a number of notorious characters] and a great many others known to the organization. Vigilantes' Committee. We are 700 strong.

As soon as the fact of the lynching became known, as early as was the hour, the streets were thronged and Leadville became the scene of one of the greatest excitements in its history. The Coroner's inquest was thronged with men drawn together out of curiosity, and every street corner and saloon was filled with groups of men discussing the terrible event of the night. The victims of Judge Lynch had numerous friends among the lawless classes, and these were boisterous in their threats of ven- geance. One of the lowest dives in the city, kept by a former City Marshal, was the rendez- vous for the men who had most to fear from the vigilantes, and from morning till night was filled by a gang of ruffians armed to the teeth and afraid to show their faces on the street, lest they should be captured. Letters of a threatening character were sent to the prin- cipal citizens of the town and to the newspapers, the latter being the principal objects of hatred, and threatened with absolute destruction. These letters, and the impression which had been created that the lawless classes had con- trol of the city, did very much toward un- settling public feeling and causing great un- easiness among the respectable elements of the population. For several days no man knew at what moment a riot would be sprung upon the city, for meetings of the dangerous classes were held nightly, at which plans were discussed for avenging themselves upon the vigilantes and their supporters, and the open threats of the bolder spirits among the dis- affected did not liave a tendency to re-assure the public mind. During the inquest over the bodies of Frodsham and Stewart, a note, signed " A Friend," was handed the Coroner in which the warning was conveyed to have Bockhaus, the barber who had killed the footpad, taken out of town or he would be killed. Numbers of private citizens had notices signed "Anti- vigilante " sent them, in which they were in- formed that if they failed to leave town within a certain time they would be killed. Advan-

tage was taken of the excitement by many par- ties having private grievances to send these missives for the purpose of annoying or fright- ening their enemies, and the air itself was full of terror. Armed men paraded the streets for several nights and guarded the principal build- ings, against which threats of destruction had been made. The Chronicle and Herald were the special objects of the hatred of the mob. Both papers had been outspoken in directing the attention of the authorities to the lawless- ness that prevailed, and in cautioning the dan- gerous classes that they were arousing a pub- lic sentiment more vigorous than the law, and which would inevitably result in disaster to them. Both papers were the recipients of threatening letters, and were compelled to' use the utmost vigilance in the protection of their property, but notwithstanding the excitement and the possible danger to their interests they continued to give utterance to the sentiments inspired by a regard for law and order, and eventually did much toward calming the excite- ment and teaching the men whose evil courses had inspired it that the reign of lawlessness had ended forever.

But the remedy was effective. The posting of the names upon the backs of the unfortunate victims had called public attention to them, and in a day or two it was found that they were absent from their accustomed haunts. Others of the notorious classes alluded to quietly left town, and the panic extended even to many who, though not publicly accused of wrong-do- ing, had accusations of conscience which im- pelled them to put the mountains between them- selves and a possible halter. In a month after the execution of the two men there could not be found in the country a city which, consider- ing the character of its surroundings and in- habitants, was more orderly than Leadville. While there were still desperadoes who did not hesitate to take the chances involved in high- way robbery, and still men with whom the pis- tol and the knife were the readiest means of adjusting a quarrel, there were no more in pro- portion than in older communities embracing the same number of men. And from that time to the present there has been no difficulty in maintaining order and preserving the good reputation of the city. The remedy was a des- perate one, but it was demanded by an outraged public sentiment, and was entirely effective.

Peler Finenty

HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

253

CHAPTER XII.

THE NEWSPAPERS OF LEADVILLE.

. . ..

TF there is any one thing which merits a chapter in a work of this character, it is the energy which has characterized the news- papers of the city, and the extraordinary suc- cess that has attended well-directed efforts in one of the most difficult branches of industry in the catalogue of business operations. To the average western man, a newspaper is as much a necessity as his daily food, a fact to which the character of the Denver dailies, as enterprising and as complete in every depart- ment as the papers of Eastern cities of four times the size, bears ample testimony. Shut out in a measure from the centers of politics and trade, the people of the West find in the newspaper a means of communication there- with which enables them to keep pace with the progress of events. As a result, there is scarcely an incorporated town in Colorado in which there is not a well-supported paper, and in many instances in which towns have sprung up like Jonah's gourd, the newspaper is among the first of the public institutions. taking rank, in point of precedence with the saloon, that first necessity of Western frontier life.

The extraordinary vitality of Leadville from its inception created very early in its history a demand for a newspaper. The men who had come from the East to invest found themselves lost without a knowledge of the condition of affairs in the East, and the prospectors who had been drawn from the mountains by the wonders of the new camp, had an equally earnest desire to know what had transpired in the world during the months of their absence from civilization, and wished to know from an authoritative source what was going on from day to day of local import. The Denver dailies were three days old when they reached the camp, and frequently the first intimation of local happenings came through them. The demand had hardly been made, however, when it was filled. The newspaper man of America is always in the van of civilization, and just across the mountains were two papers, which

only needed encouragement to come over into the rapidly growing town, while in Denver were numbers of men of training, experience and ability waiting for a newspaper opportunity ; consequently the people of Leadville had not long to wait.

The first paper published in Leadville was the Reveille. Mr. R. S. Allen, the proprietor, had for several years published the Sentinel, at Fairplay, and in the spring of 1878 came over the range for the purpose of looking at the prospects for a venture in a new field. The growing importance of the place had led to a movement for the removal of the district land office from Fairplay, and the certainty that this removal would be eventually accomplished in connection with the evidence of permanent prosperity, induced him to make the change. Early in August, the material of the Sentinel office was transported in various and devious ways over rough mountain roads, by wagon and on pack animals, from Fairplay to Lead- ville, and as soon as the new office was ar- ranged, the first issue of the Reveille made its appearance, and was eagerly bought up at 10 cents a copy by thousands of hardy miners and business men, who felt that the advent of a newspaper was an assurance of the permanence and prosperity of the young city, and who desired to preserve as a souvenir the first copy of a Leadville paper. The business venture was a success from the start, and for several months the paper enjoyed a fruitful field un- molested by rivals. Issued as a weekly at first, it soon became necessary to print a daily edition, and enlarge the sheet. The paper continued to be the leading paper of the city until the advent of the Chronicle, and only failed eventually because of its inability to keep pace with the wonderful rapidity of the growth of the city-an inability that could not be wondered at. The pioneer of the West fre- quently breaks the ground for others to reap, and this was the experience of Mr. Allen. In January, 1880, with two stronger rivals in the

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 33

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080