Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-02-22
SELECr MISCELLANY.
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.
A WESTERN SKETCH.

q. The beautiful little town of Van Bures, OH the
Arkansas river, near the Cherokee line, during its
early history, was famous for the number and fe-
rocty of its desperadoes, being the principal me-
ridian and focus of rendezvous for gamblers, In.
dian traders, and all sorts of adventurers who had
found it necessary to change their domicil from
lands governed by the administration of rigid
criminal CODE The half.breed 'braves" from the
Cherokee nation alo focked to the same site, to
drink, caroise, take hand at cards, and exhibit
their powers in sangunar; "set-to's'' with pistols
and long 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 murdcrous
weapons, while now and then dozens at time,
and by mutual agreement, marched from the rum
shop into public square, and engaged in mortal
strife. !. ''aE as'14'. ,.i 'as' h@."".
At this period, 1'bonas A. Myers emigrated to
Arkansas, and opened large grocery store in Van
Burcn, acting himself as keeper and retaler.--
such an occupation,,at that time, required man
Of the most determined courage, as the store had
atedt 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
fear. s,g.-ss ....., ...s s.... ....N
Fer while, however, Myers succeeded adni-
rably. The halfbreeds, loafers, and chartered
fighters, as they called themselves, held caucus,
and unanimously voted that the new arrival was
dangerous subject, and had better be left alone.
The verdict was altogether owing to the strangers
personal appearance, as might we'll be conceived.
Tall, manly, and symmetrical in shape, with great
cndowments both in strength and agility, he would
have had few equals in the arms Of naked nature.
But the cunning inventions Of art, iron, steel and
lead the thunder and lightning Of gunpowder are
made to fight for the ieeblest bosom; aud thus
dwarfs and giants, provided both alike the heirs
Of true courage, now stand on the same level. 1t
was believed, also, that Myers possessed the res
olute will to handle those awful engines of de-
struction, where life and death hung upon the
touch of trigger. His countenance betokened
the perfection Of bravery. His face wore gener-
ally stern expression, and when that melted in
to smile, the smile seemed sterner STILL His
eyes were exceedingly black, wild, penetrating,
and restless, aud had that cold, cleaning metallic
look, which may be regarded as the surest sign of
desperation. Besides, he carried an appalling
suppyo of pistols, and bowie-knife fourteen inch
es in the blade. Hence, everybody was respect.
ful and obliging to the ostensble hero for period
of several weeks, during which an unusual calm
reigned in theyillage. a..lga taa3 a,3 liat
AT length terrible affray occurred ut Myers
grocery Half dozen fire arms exploded in quick
succession, and. the deafening roar SO frightened
the keeper that he took to his heels and fled from
his own establishment The fact settled public
opinion as to his character. Gt'}@ Va ~
"What chicken-hearted coward to run from
his own CASTLE" exclaimed General Cole, the Ma
poleoa of frontier duelists and gamblers. ii ,g,,
.eWhy, he hasn't the spunk OF a dead 'possum,' u
lisped Bill Green, the dandy loafer, combing his
soap locks with his long rosy nails. peE d.-.ar
"Let's, drink his liquor and smoke bis cigars
and not pay for them, because as how he's COW.
ard,' said Jack Wafhawk, huge half-5reed, and
began to fill glasses and hand out cigars, crying
,,isstToast to the brave, my boys! Wen never
want while,4he world has chickens of the white
feather.', sAitr ,aapg R14Js9W aai tibab ,s1@ae
The firing IN the grocery having ceased for more
than an hour, being replaced by din Of the mos
boisterous mirth, Myers. by q great effort, muster
ed the spirit to return. He found the customers
helping themselves with d vengeance, and though
to overcome them with the assumption Of heroic
airs: Hesnqtched hisreyolver from his,pocket
and pointing it sat Warhawk's breast, sternlysor
dersd hint 70 leayye the house. 10 q,..asa ,,yal
sIfthatIs what you're arter,"" shouted jack, l'n
sheathing his big boyie7knife and sPringing bacl
over the counter, "heres.what will give you a la
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