Popular.com

December 3, 1880.

There is a duty which the people of San Miguel County should immediately discharge

and the ousting of a powerful gang of outlaws who are continually

harassing the stockmen in the Pekos and Panhandle country and terrorizing the

people of Fort Sumner in vicinity. Between 30 and 40 miles from Sumner is a

place called the Portalus, a lake on the edge of the staked plains, the shore of which is fringed

with rocks and is by nature and situation one of the wildest places in the country. When the storms come,

the herds are driven there for shelter, and no matter from what direction the storm blows,

it is sure to carry with it a rich bovine tide.

Taking advantage of this, a gang of outlaws have made it their rendezvous, and building dugouts

have made for themselves a little camp, which, with the natural advantages of the locality, they consider

well-nigh impregnable. The gang includes from 40 to 50 men, all hard characters, the off-scouring

of society, fugitives from justice, and desperadoes by profession.

Among them are men with whose names and deeds the people are perfectly familiar,

such as Billy the Kid, Dave Rutterbaugh, Charles Boudre, and others of equally unsavory reputation.

The band is well armed and have plenty of ammunition,

and as they have no hankering to be pulled in, are very determined.

One circumstance, however, has made them very incautious,

which inspires the hope that if a well-organized raid is made on them,

they may yet be brought to justice. The bivouac of the desperadoes is what may be termed

disputed territory, lying on or near the boundaries of Valencia, Lincoln, and San Miguel counties. It is yet held by many that it is

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