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Show 2 - FLAGRANT TIMES - JUNE 15, 1998 HISTORY FROM THE CASTLE VALLEY AREA THE LAW AND THE OUTLAWS During the early 1880’s the Blue Mountains near Monti— cello got a reputation of being a tough place and outlaws flocked in from several states. A group of men banded together and organized the Robbers Roost bunch during this period of time. This outlaw bunch shot up Moab and Monticello many times and endangered the lives of men, women, and children. With much patience the pioneer settlers stood for this abuse primarily in cattle, Mr. Peterson‘s driver was held up only two or three times. When the Wild Bunch rode into Moab now and then to quench their thirst, they always headed for the Darrow Hotel and Restaurant owned by “Ma” Darrow. She was the only woman in town who smoked—a comcob pipe at that. Butch Cassidy and Matt Warner were among the many outlaws who enjoyed a good meal at Darrow ’8. After the meal they’d be off to run a horse race, drink some whiskey, and from time to time shoot up the town. Shipping the greater part of the cattle out of the country and bringing in sheep put this element of society out of business. The Robbers Roost bunch and the majority of all others carrying on the cattle-rustling trade disbanded and left the country for greener pastures. because they abhored bloodshed. During this period there were a number of killings, generally among the outlaws themselves, so southeastern Utah got a rather poor reputation. The Robbers Roost outlaws, known as the Wild Bunch, had a network of trails throughout Grand County. Brands were burnt over, cows were killed to get their calves, and cattle were driven off. Rustling cattle was their way of mak— ing a living, causing the sheriff and cattlemen much anxiety. To move stolen cattle and horses from the LaSal Mountains, they would herd them to the Colorado River, ford at Salt Wash, and then follow the trail up Salt Wash past the famous Wolfe Ranch in the Arches. Then they crossed Salt Valley, went up Courthouse Wash, and on west up Seven Mile. From here they crossed the flat mesa to Horsethief Point where the trail dropped down into Green River. Once there they forded the Green and went on to Robbers Roost. The Wild Bunch raided the Book Cliffs, the Yellow Cat Mining District, and the Arches vicinity. From these areas cattle were taken across Klondike Ridge (about where Canyonlands Airport now is), then to Ten Mile and on to the Spring Canyon trail north of Horsethief Point, where they would drop to the Green, cross, and then climb into the Roost area. There are two isolated cabins in west Grand County. The remains of an old log cabin slumps forlornly in Spring Canyon. On Horsethief Piont there is a box canyon in which is located a cabin with rock walls two feet thick. Legend is that these cabins were the outlaws’ way stations—a place to rest and change horses after a hard days’ work, however illegal. Certainly the cabins are in advantageous locations. When the Robbers Roost bunch were forced out of business, the Spring Canyon cabin was vacated. The cabin on Horsethief Point became headquarters for Horsethief Ranchquite legitimate in spite of its name. Lewis T. and Alice McKinney are the present owners. Until Dewey became settled, outlaws at times would herd their stolen cattle across the Dewey ford. These outlaws used the Dolores Triangle area as their hiding place. Along the Dolores River to Gateway, Colorado, were box canyons where stolen cattle were held. One story is told of a crooked cattle inspector in Grand Junction who helped sell the stolen cattle. A large majority belonged to the Taylors and Paces. It was impossible to raise enough cattle for themselves and the outlaws, so some of the Taylors sold their cows and bought sheep. In the mid—nineties Mons Peterson ran the stage from Thompson, Utah, to Moab. Since the outlaws were dealing SHERIFFS The emlyday, hard—riding sheriffs rode mile after mile into the desert and hills in pursuit of outlaws. Many times the long arm of the law was asserted as a result of the lawman’s courage. The first sheriff after Grand County was formed in 1890 was Walter Moore. He was appointed to the position. Richard Dallin Westwood and his family moved to Moab February 14, 1890. Six months later he became Grand County’s first elected sheriff. He served for four years and resigned. The county was too poor to pay him enough to feed his large family. Then, on May 20, 1900, Jesse Tyler, sheriff, and Deputy Jenkins were murdered in the Book Mountains by an outlaw, Flat-Nose George. Westwood, after being appointed sheriff to fill Tyler’s term, led the posse after the treacherous murderer. They caught up with him, a gun battle ensued, and FlatNosed George was killed. Twenty-eight years later, Westwod once again was serving as a lawman in the capacity of deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Skewes when he became the second lawman to be killed in the line of duty. Two young bandits by the names of Pfoutz and Elliott had concealed guns on their bodies before being thrown in jail. Westwood took their evening meal to them. They shot him three times through the body. As he was dying, he grabbed the leg of one man and tried to hold him but couldn’t. They fled. Every able-bodied person joined in the search to locate his murderers. Many searched for forty-eight hours without sleep. Finally the murderers were captured, given a trial, and sentenced to life in prison. (This historical material is reprinted with the permission of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, from their book, Grand Memories.) Castle Valley Times The Castle Valley Times is available at cost for those who wish to receive it. The printing and mailing costs are just covered by the $10 per year requested. Other incidental expenses incurred in getting out the CV Times have been covered by donations. If you would like to receive the Castle Valley Times, please contact Jack Campbell at (435) 259— 5115 or write to Castle Valley Times, HC 64 Box 1903, Castle Valley, UT 84532. |