Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-21
MISC E LII A N Y.
ack Long, the Phantom Hunter.

BY c. w. WEBER.
y,onslated for The "Spectator'' from the Courier de-
Etats UniS.
The man who enjoys the benefits of civ
iization can scarcely conceive how the al
fair that am about to relate-ihat required
months for its fulhlment-coud be brought
to its final accomplishment in despite OF
law and authority. But those who know
ANYTHING of the Texas frontier, know that
at the period Of this narrative, there was no
acknowledged authority there, save that OF
the carbine and the knife. As an example,
take the reply of President Houston when
he was asked for the first time to lend his
aid for the suppression Of the war OF the
Regulators, which at a still later period en-
sanguined those regions. "Kill one anoth-
er, and 90 to the devIl," said he. This re-
ply perfectly characterizes the man, and
the country as it was at that time.
NV story goes back to the period when
the Regulators began to organize About
the end of the year 1889, Shelby was
frontier county, bordering on the district
known as the red Iaads.
1t was also the receptacle of those mise
rable wretches whose crimes had conStraln-
ed them to seek refuge on our border
lands.
Horse thieves and multitude OF other
villains were collected there III so large
number that they no longer concealed their
intention of making this county sort OF
,aLsace of the WeSt-a place OF refuge Tor
all outlaws, who knew we'll that to escape
the punishment due to their crimes, 1t was
sufficient for them to set foot on this terri
torv where they would find avowed protec-
ton, and be able to brave all pursuit.
One NAV be able to form an idea OF the
state of things when it is known that COM
NAMES Of individuals disguised as Indians,
would make an irruption into neighborlng
district in order to crafty their vengeance
upon those who had diSpleaSed them
Theft and murder were their most common
exploits.
Thev then would retreat in all haste, drl-
WING their booty before them, and when at
home again with their friends, they would
assume thei. usual dress, mark again their
mules aud horses, and laugh at the dangers
they had encountered.
Persons in open day committed the bold
est crimes, feeling sure they would find
protection in Shelby county. The wretch
es seemed determined to close the county
aga;nst all honest men this fact became so
notorious that one could no longer appear
among them with the intention OF remain
inc without exposing his personal security,
or that of his conscience. For TO refuse TO
take mart in their expeditions was already
g. crime sufficient TO subject every ne W.
conner who rendered himself guilty of it, to
a series of prosecutions which soon brought
him TO an accommodation, or ended in his
determination.
We do not wish TO say that there were
none there but avowed cut-throats aud rob.
hers. There were wealthy planters. and
also number of those old wandering hunt
ers who kept in advance of the tide OF pop
ulation beyond the Alleghanies These two
classes observed a certain decorum, and
imposed sort Of restraint on others.
Rnt with that entire intolerance OF every
cnrb which engendered an unbridled lIb-
er,v the robbers resolved not TO suffer the
nre.ence of any who could censure their
doings or oppose any obstacle to their wills.
They were, for the most part, small land
proprietors, cultivating few fields inter-
spersed among large plantations but they
had fine horses and for plllage they caIcu-
lated more on the fleetness OF their coursers
than upon their own exertions.
The wealth of so large number of un-
Manageable persons around there d'Squleted
them extremely, aud they organized them
selves into band Of Regulators; name
thew cave themselves. They proclaimed
that the frontier of the county needed PHrg-
lus and they felt that they were called up
on 70 undertake the work OF purlhcatIon'-
They began operations under the caPtalncy
of man named Hinch who was himseIf
monster of brutality: they soon reduced
tbe county to a submission Of fear, II not
sincere recognlzance of the prerosatiVeS
which they a,EOgated TO themselves lhey
compelled the planters to pay them heavy
tr;bute that these might enjoy their goods
and lives in peace, aud they engaged to pro-
,ect them against all danger from without
THE nlanters IN relQrR were bound to
close their eyes to every action whose col
Or mioht be offensive to the nerves OF the
mast delicate eye-slght.
As 10 the rowing hunters, men OF rude
,nd s;nnle courage, they were 50 rexed
and tortured by continual opposition ihal
6nallv pushed to extremity by despair they
furnished to their tyrants that shadow OF
pretext OF which they felt IN want
The robbers then Aagellated them with
the lash, and gave them so many days Id
which to l:are the county, or II they per-