Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-06-21
THRILLING SKETCH.
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.

The beautiful little town ofVau Buren,,
on the Arkansas river, near the Cherokee
line, during its early history, was famous
for the number and ferocity ofits despera-
does, being the principal meridian and
focus of rendezvous for gamblers. Indian
t a lers and all sorts of adyenlurers who
had found it necessary to change their
domicile from lands governed by riged
criminal code. The half-breed braves
from the Cherokee nation all fiocked to
the same site, to drink, carouse, take a
hand at cards, and exhibit their powers
in sanguinary set to's' with pistols and
long knives. Such a state or society
may be imaglned-it cannot be described.
Not a sun performed its circuit that did
not witness some dreadful single combat
with or without murderous weapons,
while now ard then dozens at a time and
by mutual agreement, from Ae rum shop
out in the public square, engaged in NOR
tai At s'ti1S; this period rbon,Hss H Myer. emf,
grated to Arkansas, and opened large
grocery store Mt Van Buren; acted himself
as keeper and retailer. Such an occupa-
ton at that time required man of the
most determined courage, as the store had
always a back room or shed attached,
specially appropriated to gambling, both
by day and night, and 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, un-
less restrained by fear.
For while, however, Myers succeeded
admirably. The haEf-breeds, loafers, and
chartered fighters as they called them
selves, held caucus, and unanimously
voted that the new arrival was a danger
Gus subject and had better be left alone.
This verdict was altogether owing to the
strangers personal appearance, as militia
ry as might we'll be conceived. Tan,
manly, and symmetrical in shape, with
great endowments both Of strength and
agility, he would have had few equals in
the arms of naked nature. But by the cum
ming inventions of art, iron, steel and
lead, aud the thunder and lightning of
gun-powder, 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 My
ers possessed the resolute will to handle
those awful engines of destruction where
life and death hung on the touch of a trig-
ger. His countenance betokened the per-
fiction Of bravery. His face wore gene
rally stern expression, and when that
melted into a smile, the smiles, sterner
still. His eyes were exceedirg gly black,
wild, penetrating, and restless, and had
that cold, cleaning, metallic look which
may be regarded as the surest sign of de-
speration. Besides, he carried an ap-
palling supply of pistols, and bowie
knife fourteen inches in the blade. Hence
everybody was respectful and obiiging
to the ostensible hero for period Of seYe-
raj weeks, during which an unusual calm
reigned throughout the village.
At length terrible afray occurred at
Myers grocery. Half 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 to his character.
What chickeDshearted coward to run
from his own castle,' exclaimed General
Cole. the Napoleon Of frontier duellists
and gamblers.
tWhy, he hasn't the spunk ofa dead
pussom = lisped Bill Green, the dandy
ioafer, conlbing his soap lock- with hi'
long rosy nails.
Let's drink his liquor and smoke hi,
cigars and not pay him for them, because
| as how he's a coward, said Jack War