Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-17

Ill U La 81 VI III lhC Ill N,
The late Morgan Neville of Cincinnati,
an accomplished gentleman and scholar.
was we'll known as the author of story
giving certain particulars respecting the
life and death OF The celebrated Mike Fink,
:" The last Of the boatmen.' Though a ro-
mantle tale, it was generally presumed to
be possessed of the merit OF authenticitv
A late number of the ST. Louis Reveille
details some events attending the close of
Fink's career, which do not agree with
Mr.. NeviIe's narrative. The satemen,
of the Revelle is made upon the authority
Of Charles keemle, Esq, substan,aied by
his personal knowledge of the events rela-
ted. Fink, it appears, in 1922, entered
the service of the Mountain Fur company,
under tho late Gen w. Ashley, of ST.
Louis, and went to the Fort al the mouth
Of the Yellow Stone River. where the oc-
currence narrated by the Reyeile took
place. The whole story is SO interesting,
that we give it without abridgement.
Mike, with many generous qualities, was
always a reckless dare devil, but, at this
time advancing in years and decayed in
influence, above all became q victim Of
wh;skcy he was mofose and desperate in
the extreme. There was a government
regulation which forbade the free use of
alcohol at the trading posts on the Missouri
river, and this was continual source of
quarrel between the men and the comman-
dant. Major Henry, on the part Of Fink,
particularly. One of his freaks was to
march into the Fort with his rifle and de-
mond a supply Of spirits. Argument was
fruitless, force was not 10 be thought Of,
and when, on being positively denied, Mike
drew up his rifle and sent ball through
the cask, deliberately walked up and filled
his can, while the particular boys fol-
lowed his example, all that could be done
was to look upon the matter rs one Of his
queer ways and that was the end Of it,
This stale of things continued for some
time !; Mixes temper and exaclons grow
ing more unbearabc every day, unit! u
f'splil' finally took place, not only between
himself and the commandant, but MANY
others in the Fort, and the unrulv boalman
swore he would not live among Them
Followed only by youth named Carpenter,
whom he had brought up, and for whom he
felt a rudo but strong attachment, he pre-
pared sort Of cave in the rivers bank
furnished il with supply Ct whiskey, and,
with his companion, turned in to pass the
winter, which was then closing upon them.
In this place he buried himself, sometimes
unseen for some week, his proicge provi-
ding what else was necessary beyond the
whlskev. AT length attempts were made
on the part Of those in the Fort, 10 with
draw Carpenter from Fink foul insnua-
tons were made as 10 the nature of their
connexion the youth was twlied OF being
mere slave, &c, all which (Fnk heard
all of it in spite Of his retirement) served
to breed distrust between the two, and
though they did not separate, much OF
their cordialiiy ceased.
The winter wore away in this sullen
state Of torpor; spring came with lis revl-
wing influences, and TO celebrate the season
supply of alcohol was produced, and n
number Of his acquaintances from the Fort
coming to rouse OUT Mike, desperate
(rolic Of course ensued.
bsatmen's songs, and nj gger breakdowns,
inlerspersod with wrestling matches. jump
ing, laugh, and yell, the can circulating
freely, until Mike became somewhat moll-
| fed.
81 tell you what it is. boys he cried,
"the Forts sunk hole, and | d rather
live with the bars than stay in it. Some
on yes been trying 10 part me and my
boy that love like my own cub-but nc
matter. May DO he is poisoned agains,
me, but, Carpenter, (slappng the youth
heavily on he shoulder,) | took you by the
hand when it had forgotten the touch of q
| fathers or moiher's-you know me 20 be
a man, and you ART going to turn out a
dogl"
Whether i: was tina, the youth fanced
something insulting in the manner of the
appeal, or not, we can't say; but it was
not responded to very warmly, and re-
proach followed from Mike. However,
they drank together, and the lroic wen,
on, until Mike, filling his can, walked of
some forty yards, placed it unon his head,
and called TO Carpenter TO take his rife
: The wild feat of shooting cans off each
others head was favor.te one with Mike
himself and boy generally winding up
hard lrolic with this savage, but deeply
meaning proof of continued confidence; as
for risk, their eagle eyes and iron nerves
defed The might of whiskey. After their
recent alienation, doubly generous i'm
pulse, without doubt, had induced Fink to
propose and subject himself to the test.
Carpenter had been drink ;ng wildly, and
with a boislerous laugh snalched up his
rife All present had seen the parties
+ snoot,' and this desperate aim, instead of
alarming, was merely made a matter OF
wild jest.
Your grog is split, forever, Mikew
"Kill the old varmint, young 'unI'
What'Il his skin bring in s.. Louis?''
Amid a loud laugh, Carpenter raised his
piece-even the testers remarked that he
was missteady-s crack THE can feli-a
loud shout-but instead OF a smile of plea
sure, dark frown settled upon the face of
Fink He made no nlotion except 10 clutch
his rife, as though he would have crushed
il, and there he stood, gazing a, the youth
straHgelyt Various shades OF passion ex-
hibted themselves In his features