HUNTING OUTLAWS ON PINE RIDGE

San Francisco Call, 22 June 1896

Searchers for Laverone and Roberts Find “Jim ” Haslip.
SURPRISED AT A CAMP.
The Indian Desperado Mounts a Horse and Escapes Into the Brush.
HI RAPELJE LOSES A TRAIL.
Eluded by the Cunning Madera Fugitive—No Trace of Dunham Found.

FRESNO, Cal., June 21.— Deputy Sheriff Hi Rapelje, Constable J. P. Irvine and Deputy John Perry of Sanger, returned to-night from a trip to the mountains in search of Laverone and Roberts, the Madera outlaws, and an Indian named “Jim” Haslip, who is wanted in Madera County for murdering an Italian rancher over two years ago. The officers found no trace of Laverone and Roberts, but they kept Haslip dodging for three days.
Rapelje took a week off as a vacation, and he spent it in the pleasure of man-hunting, eager to gain new laurels to add to those won by the capture of Sontag and Evans. The two Sanger officers had received information that Laverone and Roberts were on Pine Ridge, in this county, and they invited Rapelje to join them in a chase.
They procured an Indian interpreter and searched the entire length and breadth of the ridge, but could find no trace of the outlaws. The Indians all said that their brethren across the river in Madera County told them that Laverone and Roberts were still in their old stamping ground around Quartz Mountain. Rapelje is of the opinion that Laverone and Roberts were the outlaws who held up the Yosemite stage a few days ago.
The quartet then turned their attention to “Jim” Haslip. He has successfully eluded the officers for two years and is considered a desperate man. He tells his fellow-Indians that he will kill any one who attempts to arrest him or who gives the officers any information, and they are very much in fear of him. Rapelje and the two constables stole an early morning march on a camp where they had learned Haslip was staying. They had to cross a deep gulch before reaching the rancheria and as they descended a hill they had to expose themselves to view. A squaw saw them and she quickly ran into a house. Haslip came running out, and mounting a horse which stood tied at the house, dashed into the brush. For three days the officers beat the brush for the fugitive, but he successfully dodged them. Haslip had made arrangements with a squaw to leave food for him at a certain place. The officers frightened her into telling where this place was, and for two days and one night Constable Irvine and the Indian interpreter lay here waiting for Haslip. At the same time Rapelje and Deputy Constable Perry scoured the brush for miles around. They did not believe that Haslip had left that vicinity, as the horse which he had ridden away came back to the camp. It was supposed that the Indian had preferred hiding in the brush.
“We kept Haslip dodging pretty lively,” said Rapelje to-night, “and he didn’t get anything to eat for those three days. We were at a disadvantage on account of the bright moonlight at night.” The officers had to return home at the end of the week, owing to urgent business. The reward for Haslip is only $25, and that for Laverone and Roberts only $100. The officers found no trace of Dunham.