The Lake Charles Echo

Two Hard Cases Bagged.
[Orange Tribune]

Last Thursday night two men arrived in Orange and put up their horses at Mr. Stark's livery stable. They were suspicious looking characters and armed with Spencer rifles and six-shooters. One of them had a gash cut from behind his left ear to his cheek, and the forehead looked as though some party had endeavored to carve a Chinese wash bill on it with a bowie-knife. The other party had been shot in the groin and was scarcely able to walk. During the evening they got pretty full of whisky, and in conversation with citizens stated that they were from Richmond. Early next morning the two men struck out, crossing the river and getting over into Louisiana. These facts becoming known to Sheriff Michael, that officer immediately telegraphed to the sheriff of Fort Bend county a description of the men. An answer came swiftly back to the effect that the men were wanted and offering a reward for their arrest. Thus armed, Mr. Michael, with Richard Johnson, started in pursuit. The men were overhauled a few miles beyond Lake Charles, on their way to New Orleans. The officers came upon them suddenly, and before they had time to take in the situation they were covered with revolvers and made to throw up their hands. They are evidently desperate characters, and coming back the eldest one, James Pitts, acknowledged that there were seven indictments against him in DeWitt and Fort Bend counties, ranging from murder down to assault and battery. Bud Simbleton, the youngest, stands charged with murder in two cases, and also with intent to murder. Mr. Michael left Tuesday morning for Houston with the prisoners, where he will meet and turn them over to the sheriff of Fort Bend county.