Doc & Charlie in Jail, Widenmann the "Dog Feeder"

From the Santa Fe Weekly New Mexican, May 18, 1878.

Lincoln, NM. May 3, 1878.

Dear News: Since I wrote you there have been some further developments in this county in regard to troubles here. It seems a number of the best men in the county had resolved to have the murderers of Brady, Hindman, Roberts, McCloskey and others arrested and held to answer whether McSween’s grand jury had indicted them or not, and where indictments were found to see that McSween’s sheriff Copeland made arrests or know why not. The party referred to numbering some 25 men had information that the murderers of Brady and others before named were in the plaza here (you will remember I wrote you some of them were here) and that Copeland was here, but had made no arrests. Arriving just below the house of Chas. Fritz (Spring Ranche) they met McNab, one of the assassins of Brady as well as of Roberts and Al Saunders and Frank Coe, the latter one of Robert’s murderers. The party had warrants for the arrest of McNab and Coe. McNab was the Captain of the murdering party that killed Brady: he refused to surrender, firing commenced and McNab was instantly killed, Saunders was badly wounded and Coe was captured but subsequently escaped.

The party proceeded just below town and sent word to Copeland they were ready to aid him to make arrest of men then in town who were the murderers as before stated. Copeland sent word he did not want them. The party then rode into town and were fired at by men on tops of houses, Copeland being of the firing party. It is said he had with him acting in the McSween interest Henry Brown, Chas. Bowdre, both indicted for murder and pretty nearly the whole gang of assassins and their friends. McSween got an express off to Stanton while firing was going on between the party before mentioned and the Bowdre party at Ellis’, Lt. Smith with a detachment of troops arrived. The Lt. being there to aid the sheriff demanded the surrender of the “Pecos” party. While acting under the civil process of law, yet not wishing to have any difficulty with the military, they surrendered (keeping their arms) and were taken to Stanton. There an investigation took place by General Dudley and the General was enabled to see the matter in its true light.

In fact it appears that Gen. Dudley is a good deal sharper than McSween & Co. gave him credit for, and all their flattery and fulsome praise did not budge the General a peg. I thought he was influenced by them but now see that he was not but has a way of his own in getting at the truth. The Gen. found that Copeland was not performing his duty, and so furnished him with a little good advice and some troops, the result is that Bowdre and Dr. Skurlock are in irons in the guard house, and McSween, Ellis and son and Wideman the Dog Feeder are also in the guard house, and more warrants are out for more men who have been murdering lately. If the justice of the Peace at Blazer’s mill as well as other justices do their duty and the people sustain them and Gen. Dudley, these troubles will end shortly.

It is thought that some of the McSween gang have made some starting disclosures which will doubtless lead to arrest of men who have considerable prominence. It is hinted that it is now known; not only who killed Brady, but who employed them to do the work. Robbery, conspiracy, murder. He that commits the first of these crimes soon comes up to the third and last.

Yours, Van. – Cor. Mesilla News.