The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-08-24
NUMBER :2o
"oh Jesse! you loved your poor sis

"Oh. Jesse! you loved your poor SIS
ter once!'
And Mary's hot tears fell fast.
He made no reply, but sternly watchr
ed Thomas Williams, as the young niat
hurried forward to meet her who was all
in all to him.
''Stop where you are!' cried Jesse
Prescott, when William was within ten
or twelve PAGES. 81 told you if you
come here you would find some one in
your ways
And he drew Derringer pistol, cock
cd and raised it. lig,
"There is but one will on earth ,fW
me to obeyr' said Williams, as lie still
moved forward.
''Then I'll be the will to stop you"
said young Prescott-his eyes sighting
the barrel which now laid level with the
heart of Williams.
Brother-brother' screamed Mary
Prescott, as she sDrang directly in ffont
OF him.
A report-a low scream-a grasping
groaa. and poor Mary Plescott's love and
life were iced in death. >.
Thomas Williams for an instant stood
as if he had been struck with sudden
paralysis, Then with howl of agony.
he sprang forward and buried his knife
hilt deep in the heart of Jesse Pres
colt.
From that hour he was never seen by
father Or friends in Mississippi But
first in Texas and then in n ew Mexico,
and at last in 40 and so in California, o
strangely desperate man, who called
himself Tom Williams, made himself
dreaded by his reckless ferocity, almbst
inhuman thirst for blood, carelessness
of peril which amounted to utter mad
ness.
Everywhere this mans track was
marked with blood. A dead shot he
avoided no quarrel, but continually
sought them. and lie never failed to
down his victim when his hand was
raised.
Men feared and avoided him, until
with sneer he made it common remark
that all the brave men were dead-or to
use his phrase-'wiped out" -, =
One hight, after two or Three years, of
wild life he entered mining caliip rteaf
Yuba, known then as Natchez. He was
as usual morose and ugly, ready to
quarrel with any and every one and fix
ing his eyes on a young man named
Jack Moore, be used grossly, insulting
epithet. -
. The young man turned pale-deathly
pale-but it was not the parlor OF eowar-
dice. .,
"Tom Williams" said he-"I seek, no
quarrel. don't wish to be what you
are, blood-stained murderer, but un
Say those words or you will repent hav-
ing spoken them!'
bah, you are a coward like the rest''
cried Williams. "l
The next Instant his face was covered
with blood and he fell to the floor.
''Leave, Jaek-leave" cried the in:
mates Of the store ssIIe will kill you
when he comes to!' -,
II will net leave. did not seek the
quarrel l will not fly from it or hirrl
said Moore as his antagonist staggered
to his feet.
al take back one thihg-you are not d
cowardr' cried Tom Williams, as he
dashed the binding blood away from
his eyes. "But look here Jack Moore
heel yonrself.-[A Californian phrase
Arm yourself The world isn't big
enough for both of us, Either you or |
90 under in the morning. Look out for
me them
"All right said young Moore quietly
as the dreaded dcsperad2 staggered
away. Il
In vain friends tried to persuade Moore
to avoid an encounter which they be-
lieved would be fatal to him. Every
effort was made to get him to leave. He
would not go. But arming himself when
the next days sun rose he went to the
same store where the difficulty had oc-.
Cured the night before.
A few minutes later Tom Williams
ready for the fray entered the door
Every one but kind-heartcd old man
rushed outside to get out of the way
He, reckless of his own peril, stayed to
try to keep the men apart. s,
eAre you ready to dies Jack?" cried
Williams, as he drew his weapon.
"No-but I'm ready to put an end to
your killing folks !" replied Moore draw
ing his weapon.
The old man rushed up to Moore, and
threw his arms around him just as Will
liams fired the first shot With a groa1
of horror, he sprung back for the blood
spirited out all over his face from a
wound received by Moore. Will ams
had shot the latter through the neck.
But the young man did not fall-shpt
after shot passed between the combat,
ants until suddenly Williams dropped
his pistol hand, -
"Tve got it, Jaci!" he cried. You've
killed the best and the worst man in
all California. Mary, I'm coming at
lastn.' -.
These were the last words of. "Tom
Williams, the Desperate" Moore had
shot him through tile heart. Though
fearful!Y wounded himself, the young
man lived. and is now. IiiIlihg in Iuba
county, where this incident will be well
Remembered