Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-09-13
miscellaneous.
JACK W ARIA IT K;
OR THE ARKANSAS COWARD.

Gus. for rendezvous for gamblers, Indian
traders and all sorts of adyenturers who
bad found 1t necessary to change their
domicil from lands governed by the ad-
ministrationo of rigid criminal code, The
half breed braves" from the Cherokee ma
ton also focked to the same site, to drink,
carouse, take a hand Of cards, and exhibit
their powers In sanguinary set s" with
pistol and long knives. Such state of
society may be imagined-it cannot be
described Nota sun performed its cir
cult that did not not witness some dread
ful single combat with or without murder
Gus weapons, while now and then dozens
at time and by mutual agreement, march
ed from the grocery out into the public
square, and encountered in mortal strife
+. At this period Thomas \. Myers emf
grated to Arkansas, and opened large
grocery store at Van BuIen, acting him
self as keeper and retailer. Such an oc-
cupation at the time required a man of
the most determined courage, as the store
had always backroom or shed attached,
specially appropriated to gambling both
day and night, aud where the players were
supplied with the choicest liquors at the
bar, and would be sure to bully the grocer
out of his reasonable charges unless re-
strained by fear.
For while, however, Myers succeeded
admirably. The half breed loafers and
chartered fighters" as they called them
selves. held a caucus, and unanimously vo-
ted that the new arrival was dangerous
subject, and had better be let alone. This
conclusion was altogether owing to the
c.rannaric pal 1tor
as might well be conceived Tall, manly.
and symmetrical in shape, with great en-
dowments, both IN strength and agility, he
would have had few equals in the arms of
naked nature But, by the cunning IN
ventions ofart, iron, steel and lead, aud the
thunder and lightning of gunpowder, are
made to fight for the feeblest bosom; and
thus dwarfs and giants, provided both are
alike the heirs Of true courage, now stand
on the same dead level 1t was believed
also that Myers possessed the resolute will
to handle those awful engines of destrue-
tion where life and death hung on the
trigger His countenance betokened the
perfection Of bravery. His face wore
generally a stern expression, aud when
that melted into a smile, the smiles seem
ed sterner still His eyes were exceed
ingly black, wild. penetrating and restless,
and had that cold cleaning metallic look,
which may be regarded as the surest sign
Of desperation. Besides, he carried an
appalling supply of pistols, and a bowie
knife fourteen inches In the blade Hence,
every body was respectful and obliging
to the ostensible hero for period of sew
eral weeks, during which an unusual calm
reigned in the village.
At length a terrible affray occurred in
Myers grocery, Halfa dozen firearms
exploded in quick succession, and the
deafening roar so frightened the keeper
that he took to his heels and fed from his
own establishment. The fact settled pub
lie opinion as tc his character.
"What a chicken-hearted coward to run
from his own castle" exclaimed General
Cole, the Napoleon of frontier duelists
and gamblers.
Why, he hasn't the spunk of dead
possumln lisped Bill Green, the dandy loaf
er. combing his ''soap locks" with his long
rosy nails.
Lets drink his liquor and smoke his
segars and not pay for them, because as
how he is a coward, said Jack Warhawk,
a huge haif-breed, and having enunciated
this enythemene of a genuine Cherokee
logic Jack leaped over the counter and
began to fll glasses and hand out segars
crving-"Toast to the brave, my boys !
Wen never want while the world has
chickens of the white feather"
The firing In the grocery having ceas-
ed for more than an hour, being replaced
by din of most boistrous mirth, MYERS
by a great effort, mustered the spirit to
return. He found the customers helping
themselves with vengeance, and thought
to overawe them by the assumption of he
roic airs He snatched his revolver from
his pocket, and pointing it at Warkawk's 5
breast, sternly ordered him to leave the
house
IF that's what you're arter,n shouted
Jack. unsheathing his big bowie, and
springing back over the counter, heres
what viii give a ladIe full. u
Myers still kept the revolver presented
but his hand shook like leaf in the tenn
pest and his very lips grew white with
terror. aud MS feet involuntarily retreated
I backwards by short, quivering steps. The
two feelings of physical fear and moral
courage were struggling for the mastery
He was endeavoring to act bravely, but
his nerves refused their concurrence, and
he remained, so to speak in equipois-to-
tally incapable of acting at all. He was
impotent to fight, and as powerless to
7 fly
There was no such hesitation in the con
duet of Jack Warhawk. Brandishlng
his knife with his right hand. he siezed the
+ flowing locks of Myers Ia his left, roared
at the top of his lungs:
/ Down. coward down on your marrow
bones, or by the blue blazes III cut your
throat -
/ Incredible as it may seem, Myers, still
holding his deadly revolver, loaded with
six rounds, covered to the floor like bea-
ten hound, and begged most pjteously for
his life-a prayer which the mocking halt
breed granted on condition that be would
treat the crowd for whole week.
From that time the unfortunate Myers
was subject to every species Of insult and
7