Oroville daily Butte record., 1856-11-17
OtopilIe Dailg Natte RetprN.
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.
A WESTERN SKETCH.

was famous for the number and frroci-
~ of its desperadoes, being the princi>
pal focus Of rendezvous for gamblers,
Indian traders, and all sorts Of advcn-
t1rers, who had found it necessary to
change their domicIs from a land gov
crncd by the administration Of a rigid
criminal code The balf-brcd braves
from the Cherokee nation also focked
to the same site to drink, carouse, take
hand at cards, and exhibit their pow
crs in singular set tos' with pistols
aud knives Such a state Of society
may be imagined, it cannot be dcscrib-
cd. Not sun performed its circuit
that did not witnass some dreadful SIN
Gle combat with or witout murderous
weapons, while now and then dozens
at 1t time, and by mutual agreement,
marched from the rum shop into the
pnblic square, and engaged in mortal
strifr.
At this period Thomas A. Meyers
cmigratod to Arkansas, and opened
large grocery store in Van Buren,, act
ing himself as keeper and retailer.
Such an occupation, at that time, re.
.quired Il man of the mott determined
courage, as the store always had a lack
room attached, special appropriated to
gambling both by day and night, and
where players were supplied with the
choicest liquors of the bar, and would
be sure to bully the grocer out Of his
reasonable charges, unless restrained
by fear.
For while, however, Meyers sues
cecdcd admirably. The hall-breeds,
loafers and chartered fighters, as they
called themselves, held caucus and vot-
ed unanimously that the new arrival
was dangerous subject, and had bet
ter be left alone. The decision was
altogether owing 10 Meyers personal
appearance, as might be we'll conceiv-
ed Tall, mauly and symmetrical in
shape, with great endowments both in
strength and agility, he would have
had but few equals in the arms Of max
cd nature. But the cunning mven-
tions Of art-iron, steel an lead, tho
thunder and lightning Of gunpowder
are made to fight for the feeblest bos-
oms, and thus the dwarfand giant, pro,
vided poth alike, and the hcijs Of true
courage, now stand on the same level.
1t was believed also that Meyers pos
scssed the resolution to handle these
horrid engines of destruction whore
life and death hung upon the touch Of
n trigger. His countenance betokcn-
cd the perfection of bravery. Ills face
wore generally stern expression, and
when that melted into smile, the smile
seemed still more stern. His eyes were
exceedingly black. wild, penetrating
and restless, and had that cold, gleam.
ing, metallic look, which may be re-
garded as the sure sign Of desperation.
Besides, he carried an appalling sup
ply Of pistols, and a bowie>kniie four
teen inches in blade. Hence every
body was respectful and obliging to
the ostensible hero Of a period Of sew
erai weeks, during which an unusual
calm reigned in the town.
At length a terrible fray occurred at
Meyers grocery. Half "A dozen fires
arms exploded in quick succession, and
the deafcning roar SO frightened the
keeper that he took to his heels and
fed from his ewn establishment. The
fact settled public opinion as to his
character.
.sWhat a chicken-hearted coward to
run from his own castle,' exclaimed
Gen. Cole, the Napoleon of frontier
duelists and gamblers.
"Why, he hasn't the spunk of a
dead possum," lisped Bill Green, the
dandy loafer, combing his soap locks
with his long rosy nails.
"Let's dlink his liquor and smoke
his cigars, and not pay for them, cause
as how he's coward said Jack War
wick, a huge hof-breed, and began to
fill glasses, and hand out cigars, cry
ing
.Toast to the brave, my boys, Wen
never want while the world has chick
ems of the white feather"
The firing IN the grocery having
ceased for more than an hour, being re-
placed by din of the most boisterous
mirth, Meyers, by great effort, mus.
10 4t1tin