Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-05-27
= Oi)rillil,a 5kcttl).
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.
A WESTERN SKETCH.

The beautiful town OF Van Buren, on the
Arkansas river, near the Cherokee line,
during its early history, was famous Tor the
number and ierocity OF is desperadoes, be-
ing the principal focus of rendezvous for
gamblers, Indian traders, and all sorts OF
adventures, who had found it necessary 10
change their donicIs from land governed
by the administration of rigid criminai
code. The half-breed "bIaves" from the
| Cherokee nation also fiocked TO the same
site, 10 drink, carouse, take hand al cards,
and exhibit their powers in singular ''se,-
tos" with pistols and knives. Such state
Of society may be imagined--it cannot be
described. Not sun Performed its circuit
that did not witness some dreadful single
combat with or without murderous wea-
pons, while now and then dozens at time,
and by mutual agreement, marched from
the runl-shop into public square and en-
gagged in mortal strife.
% At this period, Thomas A. Myers emf
grated 10 Arkansas, and opened large
grocery store in Van Buren,, acting himself
as keeper and retailer. Such an occupa-
|
most determined courage, as the store al
ways had back-room attached, specially
appropriated to gambling, both by day and
night, and where players were supplied
with the choicest liquors at The bar, and
would be sure to bully the grocer out OF
his reasonable charges, unless restrained by
j fear.
For while, however, Myers succeeded
admirably. The half-brepds, loafers and
chartered fighters, as they called them
selves, held caucus and voted unanimously
that the new arrival was dangerous sub
ljrct, aud mad better be left alonr. The de-
clsion was altogether owing TO the s,ran-
gers personal appearance, as might well
b. conceived. Tail, manly and symmetri-
cal in shape, with great endowm~nis both
IN strength and agility, he would have had
but few equals in ,hr arms oi naked nature.
But the cunning inventions Of art iron,
steel and lrad--the thunder and Tightening
oi gunpowdrr are made to fight for the fee
blrsi bosom; and thus the dwarf and giant
provided both alike ,are the heirs Of true
courage, now stand on The same level. II
as " i'N'hf aiSoi 'hdt Nil'iS poa'SN' Wv
rs ,Iu,ion to handle those horrd engines
OF destruction, where lie and death hung
upon the touch Of trigger. His counte-
nance br,okened.the perfection OF bravery.
His face wore generally a stern expression,
and when that melted into a smile, the
smile SEEMED sterner still. His eyes were
exceedingly black, wild, penetrating aud
rrslless, and had that cold, gl~aming, me-
,alie look, which NAV be regarded as the
surrsl sign Of desperation, Besides, he
earrrd an appalling supply Of pistols, and
a bowie-knifr fourteen inches in ,he blade
Hence, everybody was respectful and obi.
ging to the osiensible hero Tor a period Of
several weeks, during which an unusual
eaUn rsigaed in the town.
Al length ,sTTilas ahfay occurred Al
: Mysrs' grocery. hslfa doxsa figs-asm
exploded IN quick sueeession, and the deaf
ssing roar - ilighlsnsd The keeper, tha
be took 10 his heels aRd asd IRON his owI
! eslasilshmrni, Ths fact ss,ilsd publ,
. opinion % To his character,
4 eWhai a ehieken,hsaFisd eoward 10 ru
from has Own essllT," rKelslmsd Gvn, Col.
ih- NaPolr0n Of iIonlisF daslisls and gaa
blrFs.
swhy, hs hasn't the spunk of dss
{, 'passam," liaprd n,ll Gnsa, the danA
loaisF, somhias his '.oap lesks' with b
log Foiy nails.