Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-19
MISCELL A n Y
The Arkansas Coward.

The beautiful little town OF an Buren, on the
Arkansas river, near the Cherokee line, during
its early history, was famous for the number and
ferocity of its desperadoes, being the principal
focus of rendezvous, for gamblers, Indian ira
ders, and all sorts of adventures, who had found
it necessary to change their domicis from land
governed by the administration OF rigid crlml-
nal code. The half-breed braves from the Cher
okee nation also flocked to the same site to
drink, carouse, take hand at cards, and exhib-
it their powers in singular "settos" with pistols
and knives. Such state of society may be i'm
av;ned-it cannot be described Not sun per-
formed its circuit that did not witness some
dreadful single combat with or without murder
Gus weapons, while now and then dozens at q
time, and by mutual agreement marched from
the rum shop into public square and engaged
in mortal strife.
At this period, Thomas A. Myers emigrated to
Arkansas, and opened large grocery store, IN
Van Buren, acting himself as keeper and retail
or. Such an occupation, at that time, required
q man of the most determined courage, as the
store always had back room attached, especial
" 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, Myers succeeded adm-
rably. The half breeds, loaferS and characterized
fighters, as they called themselves, held caucus
and voted unanimously that the new arrival was
dangerous subject, and had better be left a.
lone The decision was altogether owing to
Myers' personal appearance, as might well be
conceived. Tall, manly and Symmetrical in
shane. with great eudowments both in strength
and agility, he would have had but few equals
in the arms of naked nature But the cunning
inventions of art-iron, steel and lead-the
thunder and lightning of gun powder are made
to fight for the feeblest bosoms; and thus the
dwarf and giant, provided both alike, and the
heirs of true courage, now stand on the same
level It was believed, also, that Myers possess
ed the resolution to handle these horrid engines
of destruction, where life aud death hung upon
the touch of trigger His countenance beto-
kened the perfection Of bravery. His face wore
generally 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,
cleaning, metallic look, which may be regarded
as the sure sign of desperation. Besides, be car
ried an appalling supply of pistols, and bowie
knife fourteen inches in the blade. Hence eve
rybody was respectful and obliglng to the osten-
sible hero of period of several weeks, during
which an unusual calm reigned in the town.
At length terrible affray occurred at Myers
grocery. Half dozen fire arms exploded IN
quick succession, aud the deafenlng roar so
frightened the keeper, that he took to his heels
and fed from his own establishment. The tact
settled public opinion as to his character.
"What chicken-hearted coward to run from
his own CASTLE" exclaimed Gen. Cole, the Napo-
leon of frontier duelists and gamblers: ;,
"Why, he hasn't the spunk OF a dead 'possum,"
lisped Bill Green, the dandy loafer, comoing
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 cow
ard" said Jack Warhawk, huge half-breed,
and began to fill glasses, and hand out cigars,
crying -,
"Tosst to the brave, my boys we'll never
want while the world has chickens of the white
feather
The firing in the grocery having ceased for
more than an hour, being replaced by din OF
the most boisterous mirth, Myers, by great Ell
fort, mustered the spirit to return. de found
the customers helping themselves with ven
eeance. and thought to overcome them with the
assumption of heroic airs He snatched his re-
volver from his pocket, and pointing 1t at War
hawks breast sternly ordered him to leave the
house.
'sIf that's what you're arter," shouted Jack,
unsheathing his big bowie knife and springlng
over the counter, "Here's what1l give you Ia
die full"
Myers still kept the revolver presented, but
his hand shook like leaf in the tempest and
his feet invountarily retreated backwards by
short, quick steps. The two feelings, physical
fear and courage, were struggling for the mas
tery. He was endeavoring to act bravely but
his nerves refused their concurrence and he re-
mained, so to speak, in his equipoise--totaly in-
capable of acting at all. He was impotent to
fight, and as powerless to fly.
There was no such hesitation on the part OF
lack Warhawk. Brandishing his knife in his
riobt hand he seized the flowing locks of Myers
in his left, and roared at the top OF his lungs
uDown, cowardly hound, on your marrow
bones, or by the blazes, I'll cut your throat!'
Incredible as it may seem, Myers, still holding
his deadly revolver, loaded with six rounds,
covered to the floor like beaten dog, and beg
aed most piteousy for his life-a prayer which
the mocking half-breed granted, on condition
that he would treat the whole crowd for week.
From this time the unfortunate Myers was
subject to every species Of insult and outrage
The loafers would pull his nose for mere amuse-
ment, the half-breeds would spit in his face just
10 make him treat, and Gen. Cole, when intoxi-
Gated would strike him with his cane to cure
him of his cowardice, as he said The misera-
BILE grocery-keeper, brooked all these gross in
dignities with the patience of martyr, and
-o,,11 ,o,,,at ;,,ao paak1y rauouetrata--