Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-01-22
9 GIll.griumg Q. Gale.
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.

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The beautiful little town of Van Buren
on the Arkansas River, near the Cherokee
line, during its early history, and was famous
for.the number and ferocity of its despera
does, being the principal meridian and focus
Of rendezvous for Indian traders, and all
sorts Of. adventures who found it necessary
to change their domicile from lands govern
ed by the administration Of rigid CODE
The half.bred braves of the Cherokee ma
ton also focked to the same site, to drink.
carouse, take 6 hand at cards, and exhibit
their powers in sangainary 'setto's with pis
tols and long knives. Such state Of So
eiety may be imagined-it cannot be desert
bed. Not sun performed its circuit that
did not witness some dreadful single combat
with or without murderous weapons, while
now and then dozens at time, and by mu
tual agreement, marched from the rumshop:
out on the public square and engaged ii
mortal strife.
At this time, Thomas A. Myers emisra
ted to Arkansas, and opened large grocery
at Van Buren,, acting himself as keeper auo
retailer. Such an occupation at that time
required man of the most determined cour
age, as the store had always back room OIL
shed attached, especially appropriated tc
gambling, both by day and by night and
where the players are supplied with the choi
cess liquors at the bar, and would be sure tc
bully the grocer out of his reasonable char
ges, unless restrained by fear.
For awhile, however, Myers succeeded ad
mirably. The half-breeds, loafers, and char
tered fighters as they were called, held a
caucus, and unanimously voted that the new
arriyalwas dangerous subject and had bet,
ter be lett alone. This verdict was altogeth
er owing to the strangers personalappearancc
as military as might well be conceived. Tall,
manly, and symmetrical in shape, with great
endowmepts, both in strength and agility,
lie would have had few equals in the arms
Of naked nature But by the coming inven'
ton of art-irou, steel and lead, and the
thunder and lightning of guupowder, are
made to fight for feeblest bosoms: and
thus dwarfs aud giants, provided both arc
like the heirs Of true courage, now stand OF
the same dead level 1t was believed alst
that Myers possessed the resolutc will to han
die these awful engines of destruction where
life and death hung on the touch Of trig
ger. His countenance betokened the per
fcction of bravery. His face wore general
y stern expression, and when that meltec
into smile, the smile seemed sterner still
His eyes were exceedingly black, wild, pen
etratibg and restless, and had that colo
cleaning metallic look, which may be regard
ed as the surest sign of desperation. Be-
sides, he carried an appalling supply Of pis
tolls, and bowie knife fourteen inches in
the blade. Hence, everybody was respectful
and obliging to the ostcnsible hero for the
period of several weeks, during which an
unusual calm reigned in the village.
At length terrible affray occurred at My
ers' grocery. Half dozen firearms explo
ded in quick succession, and the deafenine
roar so frightened the keeper that he took tc
his heels and fed from his establishment -
The fact settled public opinion as to his char
acter.
What chicken-hcarted coward, to run
from his own CASTLE exclaimed Gen'l Cole
the Napoleon of frontier duelists and gam,
blers.
why he hasn't the spunk of dead pos
sum! lisped Bill Greene, the dandy loafe'
combing his 'soap-locks' with his long rusty
nails.
';Let's drink his liquor, and smoke hi$
cigars, and not pay for them, because as how
he's coward, said Jack Warhawk, huge
half-breed, and having enunciatcd this sre
cimen of genuine Cherokee logic, Jack
leaped over the counter and began to FL
glasses and hand out cigars, crying-'Toas
to the brave, my boys. We will never wan
while the world has chickens of the whit;
feather
The firing in the grocery having ccasec
for more than an hour, being replaced by
din of the most boisterous mirth, Myers
by great effort, mustered the spirit to re
turn. He found the customers hel ping
themselves with vengeance, and thought
to overcome them by the assumption of he
roic airs. He snatched his revolver from
his pocket and pointing it at Warhawk's
breast, sternly ordered him to leave the house
IF that's what you're arter,' shouted Jack
unsheathing his bowie, and springing bach
rthe counter, 'here's what will give yor
a ladle full
Myers still kept the revolver presented
but his hand shook like leaf in the tenn
spest, and his very feet iuvoluntarily retreatee
backwards by short, quivering steps Tht