Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-18
THE OLD WEST.

The Rev. Mr.. Milburn. the blind preacher in
his last lecture upon western mind humor and
eloquence, relates the following anecdotes Illus
trating pioneer life in the west
! The early men of the west were earnest, stren-
uous men. Trained as they were in peril. their
general demeanor was perhaps somewhat grave
and saturine. Their usual demeanor was char
aeterlzed by composure and self-possession.-
/ Still they had a keen sense and enjoyment of
humor and fun; but even this was marked bv
something direct and practical
| There is 4 story told of a negro who in COM
pany with band of whites, was pursuing a
a party of Indians-for the negro fought side by
side with the whites. They at length came in
sight of the Indians. when the leader of the
whites, perceiving that his company was far
outnumbered, gave the signal to fall back All
obeyed except one white man and black Sam.
who crept cautiously from tree to tree towards
the savages. Sam at last caught sight of the
head of an Indian just raised above 4 log, to
watch the proceedings Of the enemy. In mo-
ment the rife of the black was at his shoulder
and its contents were discharged into the brain
of the Indian, with the words Oar, take dat to
remember Sam, the brack white man"
The grim sententiousness of this hu1nor of
these western men, was not unlike the few
good things said by the Indians. Ofthcse the
best that has come under nay notice is recorded
by Col. Thorpe, the keenest delineator among
US OF southwestern humor. 1t belongs to the
time oi the great earthquake of I5II-l2, which
destroyed New Madrid and wrought such strik-
ing effect in the Mississippi county. An Indian
!. 1
and gazing at the devastation
Well, Indian" asked The white man. what
do you think all this means 81
Great Spirit, whiskey to much.' replied the
Indian laconically.
The reply was uttered In solemn tone as
throI st the red man was convinced that with a
Mani.ou given to whiskey, there was an end to
all the worlds hopes This theory seemed TO
him fully adequate any other terrible phe-
nomenon.
Stlll another example Of the practical fun Of
southwest is related by my friend Judge Long
street, OF Georgia. He was once riding past
thiekct III 4 dark country" when lie heard
sounds which denoted that terrible fight was
going on. He could see no one, but voices were
audible enough. Com on, III show you who
L -!
" Yes l kin ." You try it then" And then
ensued sounds as of a fierce and hotIy contested
fight, with cries for fair-play. from the specta-
tors shouts and halloes. At last, one voice ex-
claimed Nuff, you've gouged my eyes outl'
BY this time the Judge had reached the scene
of action. Instead Of the crowd Of spectators
and the bleeding victim he only perceived
stout lad Of eighteen skulkipg away, ard the
only signs Of a fight were a couple of holes in
the ground Here, come back" shouted the
Judge, & and help to take care of the peor fell
low whose eyes are gouged out and who i man
ed for life"
You neden't be so fast old hoss," replied
the lad, :" was only jess seein' how l would a
fowt, ef d a-been down to the court hcuse"-
And so II was. There had beer no fighting no
gouging-except of the two holes in the ground
1t was private theatrical performance IN which
the young gentleman aforesaid had borne all
the Characters spectators included.