He was a drunk that seemed to hate all the world. He tried to be a murderer and became a fugitive who led law enforcement from almost all southern Colorado on a spirited chase. And in the end, the one soul who offered him any kind of absolution, whether he deserved it or not, came from an unexpected place.

References:

Author Unknown. (1912, August 4). BALLEW IN FIST FIGHT. The Rocky Mountain News. 3.

Author Unknown. (1912, August 4). Maniac Mortally Wounds Woman; Shoots 5; Burns Hotel; Holds Town at Bay. The Rocky Mountain News. 1.

Author Unknown. (1913, April 12). WIDOW HERE TO HONOR MEMORY OF BANDIT. The Rocky Mountain News. 5.

Author Unknown. (1912, August 4). Physician Tells Own Story of Thrilling Ride, Posses Cover Wide Field in Search for Man. The Rocky Mountain News. 7.

Author Unknown. (1912, August 4). MANIAC CAUGHT, BREAKS CAPTOR’S BONDS, FLEES; NEW MANHUNT BEGINS. The Rocky Mountain News. 1.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (n.d.) Mate P Wallbrecht. FamilySearch. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G8B5-559.