Butte record., 1856-11-22
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.
A WESTERN SKETCH.

The beautiful little town oil VanBu>
ren, on the Arkansas river, near the
Cherokee line, during its early history,
was famous for the number and ferocI-
ty of its dcsperadoes, being the princi>
pal focus of rendezvous fer gamblers,
indian traders, and all sorts of advcn-
turers, who had found it necessary to
change their domiciIs from land gov
erned by the administration of a rigid
criminal code. The half-bred braves
from the Cherokee nation also focked
to the same site to drink, carouse, take
hand at cards, and exhibit their pow
ers in singular set tos' with pistols
and knives. Such state of society
may be imagined, it cannot be describ-
ed. 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 a time, and by mutual agreement,
marched firm the rum shop into the
public square, and engaged in mortal
strife.
At this period Thomas A. Meyers
emigrated 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 man of the mott determined
courage, as the store always had 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
ceeded admirably. The half-breeds,
loafers and charctered fighters, as they
called themselves, held caucus and vot-
ed unanimously that the new arrival
was a dangerous subject, and had bet
ter be left alone. The decision was
altogether owing to Mel ers' personal
appearance, as might be wei 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
ed nature But the cunning inven-
tions of art-iron, steel an lead, tho
thunder and lightn Nc Of gunpowder
are made to fight for the feeblest bos-
oms, and thus the dwarf and giant, pro-
vided poth alike, and the heirs of true
courage, now stand on the same level
1t was believed also that Meyers pos
sessed the resolution to handle these
horrid engines of destruction where
life and death hung upon the touch of
trigger. His countenance betokcn
cd the perfection of bravery His face
w,re generally i stern expression, and
when that melted into a 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 stols, and a bowie>knife four
teen inches in blade. Hence every |
body was respectful and obliging to
the ostenslble hero of period of sew
erai weeks, during which an unusual
calm reigned in the town.
At length a terrible fray occurred at
Meyers grocery. Hllf il dozen fire.
arms exploded in quick succession, and
the deafening roar so frightened the
keeper that he took to his heels and
fled from his ewn establishment. The
fact settled public opinion as to his
character.
"What 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
dead possum," lisped Bill Green, the
dandy loafer, conbing his soap locks
with his long rosy nails.
"Let's drink his liquor and smoke
his cigars, and not pay for them, cause
as how he's coward said Jack War
wick, a huge half breed, and began to
fill glasses, and hand out cigars, cry
ing
"Toast to the brave, my boys, We'll
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
tered the spirit to return. He found
the customers helping themselves with
vengeance, and thought to overcome
them with the assumption Of heroic
airs. He snatched his revolver from
his pocket, and pointing it at War
hawks breast, sternly ordered him TO
leave the house.
sIf that's what your arter," shouted
Jack. unsheathing his big bowie-knife
and springing over the counter. Here's
what'Il give you ladle full. !"
Movers still kept the pistol present
ed, but his hand shook like leaf IN
the tempest, and his feet inyoluntarily
setreated baekwards by short quick
steps. The two feelings, physical tear
and courage, we're struggling for the
mastery. He gas endear0ring 10 act
brarely, but his nerves refused their
concurrence and be remained, so to-
speak, in his eqgipoise, totally ineapa-
bIa of an+;ns- a. iii Ha was i;nDOtent