Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-27
JIM l;IRTY's BEEF STORY.

The following story was obtained by
the editor from one Of the crew 1t took
Jim Girty to show how to hook beef in
keel-boat time.
On trip up the Tennessee river. Jim
and his crew got out Of meat. They
could not think it fair play to be without
meat In a cane country, where there were
so many fat cattle.
So, as usual, they selected the best and
latest they could find; they obtained one
that would weigh about 700 pounds They
dressed it neatly and took it on board.
About three hours afterwards, fourteen
men came down to the boat with rifles,
charging Jim with having stolen beef
Jim did not show fight. The crew paid
no attention to what was going on-some
we're sitting on the running boards, with
their feet dangling in the water-several
were laying upon deck on blankets-every
one seemed dull and supplied Jim was
seated on the bow Of the boat, his head
resting on his hand, when again assailed
81 say, your men have been stealing the
best beef in all these parts.''
"There must be some mistake" said
Jim, very quietly.
''YOu lie; your men were seen skinning
it,"
''There is strangers about there, may
be-" said Jim.
"Yes, yes, we know there is strangers
here. on this very boat-they have the
beef on board, and we will have it off,
THE boat is open. go look for your
selves, gentlemen, but you will! find mis-
take cprfain-h,t ot;cf,
tlemen. on that head
''That we will, and in an instant order
have the beef"
So at it they went, first having placed
three men as a guard, to see that the crew
did not play them some trick. The others
made search by rolling and re-rolling
every thing in the boat, and still no beef
was found. One fellow declared that they
had left no place unsearched where the
four quarters, Of cat could be hid, lei,
alone big OK.
The same gravity was preserved by Jim;
The wished the gentlemen to be satisfied -
The fact was, while the crew were
SHINING the beef one of them discovered
man watching them from tree They
took no notice of it, but when they came
to the boat. they told Jim they were caught
He scratched his head while. and then
prepared forjust such visit as he recev-
ed.
He placed the four quarters Of the beef
on the deck Of the boat, and spread the
hide over them. on these he spread all the
blankets, and four men lay down on these
blankets. Jim. as before stated, was on
the bow of the boat. continually wishing
''the gentlemen to be satisfied, but they
would fin a mistake, sartaIn.
''Look about and be satisfied. gentle
men-look where you please. gentlemen.
and be satisfied; but there is one thing |
must ask of you. not to disturb them there
sick men-we buried two yesterday, with
the small pox, and them there four men
are very sick-very sick indeed. gentle
men, and must beg off you not to disturb
them; it always is the worst thing you can
do, to disturb a sick man, especially if he
be near his last; it kind Of makes the blood
fly to the head, to be disturbed &c. &c.
But long before he had finished his speech
he had no listeners.
If ever there were pale faces, fallen
jaws. and CHASTITY looks. among a set of
men, it was about that time and place
they moved off without speaking a word.
Jim got clear Of his visitors, and kept the
Wcsfern Boaiman.