Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-02-22

PiOpShoiOl. IL woo q S5CH1IO lelCO dlo
singular only in the sharp angle of the
eye, and without any physiognomicaI
reason for the opinion, | have thought
his wonderful accuracy of aim was
indicated by this popularity. He told
me, however, to use his own words:
"l alters shot well; but | come to
be perfeck in the mountains by shoot
ing at dime for mark, at bets of
half a dollar shot. And then until
the war | never drank liquor nor
smoked" he continued with melan-
choly expression; "war is demoraliz-
ing, it is.
Captain Honesty was right. Twas
very curious to see "Wild Bill, the
Scout" who, a few days before my ar
rival in Springfield, in duel at noon
day in the public square. at fifty
PAGES, had sent one of Colts pistol
balls through the heart of a returned
Confederate soldier.
Whenever | had met an officer or
soldier who had served in the South
west | heard of Wild Bill and his ex-
plOits, until these stories became so
frequent and of such an extraordinary
character as quite to outstrip person
al knowledge Of adventure by camp
and field; and the hero of these
strange tales took shape in my mind
as did Jack the giant killer or Sinhad
the sailor in childhood's days. And
then, know had the most implicit
faith in the existence of the individual !;
but how one man could accomplish
such prodigies OF strength and feats
OF daring was a continued wonder.
In order to give the reader a clear
understanding of the condition Of this
ncighbQrhQ2d, which could have per
mitted the duel mentioned above, and
whose history will be hereafter in de-
tail, | will describe the situation at
the time Of which | am writing which
was late in the summer of 1865, pre-
missing that this section of the cOun-
try would not to-day be selected as a
model example of modern civiIiza-
ton.
At that time peace and compara-
tive quiet had succeeded the perils
and tumult OF war in all the more
Southern States. The people of
| Georgia and the Carolinas were glad
to enforce order in their midst; and
it would have been safe for Union
officer to have ridden unattended thro'
= the land.
In Southwest Missouri there were
old scores to be settled up. During
the three years occupied by General
Smith-whO commanded the depart
ment and was on a tour of inspection
in crossing the country between
J ROlla and Springfield, a distance of
| 100 miles, five men were killed OF
wounded on the public road. Two
D were murdered short distance from
a ROLla-by whom we could not ascer
2, tain. Another was instantly killed
o and two were wounded at a meeting
d OF band of Regulators, who wer,
o in the service OF the state, but Wer,
e paid by the United States Government
+ 1t should be said here that their meth
e Cd Of regulation was slightly inform
t, al, their war-cry was, "A swift bnlle
4, and a short rope for returned rebels
5, was informed by General Smit
l. that during the six months precedin
e not less than 1000 returned ConteC
t crates had been summarily dispose
p of by shooting or banging. This STATE
sc ment seems Incredible; but there
the record, and | have no doubt o
, its truth, History shows few para
7r leIs to this RELENTLESS destruction {
human life in time of peace. 1t ca
Is be explained only upon the grOun
W that, before the war, this region Wa
inhabited by lawless people.
r the outset Of the rebellion the mere
ut Suspicion Of loyalty to the Union CO.
k, the patriot his life; and thus lars
7dI numbers fled the land, giving up hon
Us and every material interest. As SOC
~ as the Federal armies occupied tt
country these refugees returned
he Once securely fixed in their old hOm
i. hey resolved that their former pc
(, d sccutors should not live N their mid:
st Revenge for the past and security f
N the future kuotted many nerve al
ed sped many a deadly bullet.
rd Wild Bill did not belong to the Re
Ill uIators. Indeed, he was one Of t
law and order party. He said;
il when the war closed | buried t
er. hatchet. and won't fight now unlf
ed, I'm put upon"
nd Bill was born of Northern parel
nd in the State of Illinois. He ran aw
lgs from home when boy. and wand
ars ed out upon the plains and into
ms. mountains. For fifteen years he liy
lcd with the trappers, hunting and fish
It's When war broke out he returned
bed the States and entered the Union S
to vice. No man probably was e.
led better fitted for scouting than he
) Joined to his tremendous strength
age was an unequaled horseman; he '
ave a perfect marksman; he had a k
ere sight, and constitution which had
ned limit of endurance. He was cool
ON audacity, brave to rashness. alw
one possessed of himself under the n
, in critical circumstances and above
ut was such a master in the knowle
ner, of woodcraft that it might have b
Il termed science with him-a knC
jaw edge which with the soldier, is pl
ght- less beyond description. Some
lark Bills adventures during the war
,oul- be related hereafter.
q in The main features of the stOr'