Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-01-06

Few, who have travelled much on the
broad Mississippi at an early day, but what
have heard with dread the name of General
William Montgomery, and none but knew Of
the landing called sNonsgumery's Point"
which for is location and ycsi Mar advan,a-
ges, was hard to be excited Montgomery
| himself was shrewd qu@sA wiltssd low bred
fellow, who il foguish eAp As was seldom,
liz ever equalled He was yne terror OF the
South, to all who knew him, and as sports
man, gambler, &c., was Us notorious as the
celebrated Capt Kidd as pirate. The Cen
eial was said to have many redeeming quail
Ties in his gaming transactions, which might
| be classed as iulIows:--
| First--If he found a man naked, he clothed
him. If he was hungry he fed him.
! Second-lt he was thirsty or poor, he gave
him TO drink, and advised him 10 leave for
some more saubfious cline.
| And last, though not least, il he WINS thirs.
tv and RICH, he made him drink and then rob
bed him.
His notorious life was the occasion Of all
gamblers yielding to his nefarious designs,
who Glanced TO fall in with him; and what
ever the General said ofcourse mus. be light,
and none dared gainsay him.
1t was about the time his nooriety had
gained its height, that French gentleman
accompanied by huge Yankee, arrived at
the "Pont" on their way 10 he head waters
of the Arkansas river, and as there was no
other hotel IN the place, put up with the Cen
eral.
Application being made to him for convey
ance, he advised them 10 defer their journey
for few days, as he thought the prospect of
high water was in their favor. This PROPOSE
ton was by no means q welcome one to JON
athan, who had heard, more than once, off
desperate character of their host; and he de-
clared he would rather walk, and make pack
horse of himself than remain. The French
man assured him likewise, that his business
was very urgent, and that he must go on
foot, even If there was no other conveyance.
The General was not pleased with the deter
mined obsunacy OF the two, but could not
well hit upon plan whereby 10 detain them
with their own consent, so he finally agreed
to take them through ON horseback as far
as fort Smith The horses were accor-
dinghy equipped, and the General. with his
Negro, the Frenchman and the Yankee. at
length set out, making quite respectable
4 looking caravan, for the Arkansas wilderness.
Ere they mounted, however. the genera! be-
gan running his "soft sawder," on the Y an
kee, about the the many advantages he pos
sessed over mulu.udes of the Southern people,
which were no other than heiog sufficient in
strength 10 answer as his pack horse, and
though he might have bushels Of wooden nut
megs, and horn gun.fllntS, 10 pack through
the State, he could always accommodate
| himself.
! The Yankee felt somewhat chaerined at
the insinuaton, for fear that the Frenchman
might consider HIM man of that character.
After their leaving, the General still caused
Jonathan no small uneasinesS, by his contn-
ual attacks upon his nativity, &C. The
| Frenchman soon discovered the ANNOYANCE
the Genera. was giving the Yankee, and in
sisted that he was too hard in accusing his
honest friend of having 10 do with any thing
of so base a character. AT this the General
laughed, and told him his accusations were in
no wise erroneous. The Yankee ground his
teeth. and remarked
''Its tarnel well for you thatf ami al hum !;
for if was I'd give it to We, darn quick, tew.''
| Don't you see." said the General, turning
TO the Frenchman, with an lnsinuatng glance.
"Monsieur believe it too good 10 be Joke"
AT this the Frenchman assured the six foot
Down Easter that the General only iested
''You are as much mistaken" replied the
General, "as if you had burnt your finger
never accuse a man but what | am willing
TO back my accusations with my money aud
| will bet you hundred dollars that, TO search
the Yankees saddle bags, you will find at
least one or two hundred horn gun flnts, and
as many wooden nutmegs."
81 will bette you five hundred dollares .
the Frenchman, ''that my friend carry no
wooden nutmeg, nor no horn gun-lint in his
Won leetls saddlebag"
81 take all such bets" replied the General
turning 70 Cuiiey--who was showing his Two