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3.

Murphy met up with Bass when Bass and his men had returned from the Salt Creek fight, and for a while he had a hard time convincing Bass that he was not a spy, as had been rumoured, but it seemed that Frank Jackson, his cousin, interceded for him to prevent him being shot, but nevertheless they kept a close eye on him, and this prevented him from getting information of their whereabouts to Major Jones from June 11th until July13th, when he managed to get a note to the Sheriff of Grayson County, William Everhart, to pass on to the Rangers letting them know that Sam Bass and his gang were heading toward Round Rock, either to rob a train or a Bank. He had another chance to write a note at Georgetown, and begged the Rangers to get to Round Rock and stop the robbery. (This is also part of the statement made in Dallas on July23rd)

On the way to Round Rock were Sam Bass, Seabourne Barnes, Frank Jackson, and of course Jim Murphy. When Major Jones got Murphy`s message he only had a few Rangers in Dallas. The nearest Co. was that of Lt Reynolds at San Saba. Jones gave orders for one of the Rangers in Dallas, Cpl. Wilson, to ride at once to San Saba and instruct Lt. Reynolds to make for Round Rock immediately. This meant that Wilson had to ride sixty-five miles to Lampasas, from there get a stage to San Saba, a further fifty miles, and then to the camp of Lt Reynolds outside the town. He arrived on the evening of July18th, a journey of one hundred and five miles in just thirty-six hours. Meanwhile bass and his men had made their way to Old Round Rock, and camped in the cemetery. Bass had decided to rob the bank on the Saturday. Lt Reynolds detailed eight men to ride with him; First Sergeant C.L. Nevill, Second Sergeant Henry McGee, Second Corporal J. B. Gillett, Privates Abe Anglin, Dave Ligon, Bill Derrick, and John R. and W.L. Banister. Lt. Reynolds was unwell and had to ride in a hack pulled by two of the Rangers pack mules. They had to ride one hundred and ten miles to get to Round Rock, and arrived on the Friday of July19th between one and two in the afternoon.(J.B. Gillett names the Rangers in his book "Six years with the Texas Rangers" and notes the time they arrived in Old Round Rock) Major Jones was already in Round Rock having arrived there on July 18th travelling there by train. (He sent two telegram's from there to railroad agents in Hearne and Austin warning against possible train robbers) Three of the Dallas Rangers, Dick Ware, Chris Connor and George Harrell were also there along with a former Ranger Morris Moore, now a peace officer in Travis County. Deputy Sheriff Grimes of Williamson County and Albert Highsmith were also informed about the planned robbery.

Sam Bass decided to take one more look at the bank in Round Rock on the Friday and left Old Round Rock with Seabourne Barnes and Frank Jackson. Murphy stayed behind to get fodder for the horses from the local feed store. When Bass and his two companions arrived in Round Rock they first went to the Kopperal Store, (Gillett spells it Copperal) which was next to the bank. They were seen by Grimes and Moore who thought one of them was armed, so the two followed them into the store, and Grimes asked Barnes if he was carrying a gun. This got him shot dead, and Moore shot in the lungs, while the only injuries to the gang was that Bass was shot in the hand. Bass, Barnes and Jackson left the store on the run, with the Rangers coming out from their hiding places and in the ensuing gunfight Barnes was shot dead with a shot to the head and Bass was shot in the hip where the bullet split two cartridges on his belt and mushroomed into his kidneys destroying them. Weakened and losing blood fast Bass was having trouble mounting his horse, until Jackson, under fire helped Bass onto his horse and held him while they raced out of town. Despite all the gunfire Jackson escaped without being hit. They headed for Old Round Rock but Bass was too weak to carry on, and after convincing Jackson to make good his escape, lay down under a tree to try and recover his strength. Jackson was never seen again.

Reynolds came into town to report to Major Jones minutes after Bass had made his escape. The Rangers were resting in Old Round Rock expecting the raid to take place on the following day. Saturday morning early the Rangers took up the search for Bass and Jackson, and found Bass where he had stopped the day before, soaked in bloody bandages and lying under the tree. He identified himself to them saying he was the man they were looking for, and not to shoot. He was transported into Round Rock where a Dr. Cochran tended to him in order to make his last hours as comfortable as possible for his right Kidney had been shattered by the bullet that entered his hip. Despite Major Jones questioning Bass would reveal no details of the others that took part in his robberies, saying , "it was agin his profession" to reveal such things.

Sam Bass died on Sunday 21st 1878 on his 27th birthday, and was buried in the cemetery at Round Rock next to Seabourne Barnes. The Rangers had prevented another robbery and killed two of the robbers. There are some curious facts that go with this story.

Ira Aten , along with his brother Frank, and his Father, Austin C. Aten rode into Round Rock on the Saturday Bass was caught, to collect post and get provisions. Ira was just fifteen. His father was a preacher and was asked to visit Bass to see if he wanted to, "put things right with the Lord" before he died. Austin Aten said he would deny nobody the right to prayer and entered the room in which Bass lay. Ira, being too young to enter had to wait outside, and told the Rangers he would become one of them when he was old enough, and sure enough when he was eighteen he joined the Texas Rangers and had a long and successful career with them.

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