Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-09-14

trick of leaping upon their backs, and seiz-
ing bold of them with his teeth, and reach
ing for their eyes with his sharp claws.
He would whip the largest dog in the camp
In less time than it takes to say Jack Rob
inson, and after he had defeated several OF
the largest and fercest, he was let alone and
given wide berth by the remainder of the
CANNES
This cat was strange fellow. He would
pay no attention to any one but his master,
whom he would follow like a spaniel! He
would suffer any body to stroke his back,
but 1t was utterly impossible to get him to
recognize any act whatever. He was al
ways at the gambling table, apparently act
ing as lookout, for if any one attempt
ed TO pick up what is known among gam
blers as a sleeper, he would pounce upon
and give them taste of the quality of his
teeth, Dut if they attended to their own
money, Sam was perfectly quiet.
Some threcmonths after the first appear,
ance of the gambler at the camp, with his
cat, an awful tragedy took place. The gam
bier had been having remarkable run OF
good luck, and had won somewhere between
twenty-five and thirty thousand dollars.
This he had changed from coin into de-
mands on the United States Treasury, for
convenience, and declared that he was going
to leave the country. Times were getting
dull. The soldiers had spent all the money
they had, and it had gradually found its
way into the hands of few persons, and
they were not going to run the risk of losing
it at the gambling table; therefore, the
gamblers were having rough times, and one
by one, they were leaving and seeking other
regions. The owner of the cat announced
his intention of going to Pixies Peak, where
there was prospect of lively times, as the
immigrants to the mines were beginning to
arrive.
He had kept perfectly sober during his
stay at the camp, but now that he was ready
to take his departure, he got to drinking,
and kept on spree for several days. Du-
ring this time he became excessively quar-
relsome, and on several occasions had drawn
his pistol and fired at persons. but had not
bit any one. Quite a feeling of indignation
against him had been aroused. and dark
threats of lynching were heard from various
quarters.
There lived at the camp a wagon master
named Harry Price, who was quiet, peacea-
bic man, beloved by all, who was never
known to engage in quarrel. He went to
the stranger, told him of the feeling that
had been aroused, and advised him to be
more circumspect in his conduct Instead
of taking the advise in the spirit it was
given, the gambler, without word, drew
his pistol and shot Price through the heart,
causing instant heath.
And now comes the strangest part of this
strange story. The moment he fired his
pistol and poor Price fell, the cat jumped
upon its master shoulders and seized him
by the throat with Its teeth. In vain he
struggled to throw it off it clung to him
with the tenacity of bull dog, and did not
release its hold until its master had raised
his pistol and blown its head to pieces.
The greatest excitiment followed the
murder The murderer tried to escape, but
the crowd, summoned by the report of the
pistol. collected too quickly, and be was
captured. La less time than it takes to mar
rate it, the excited crowd had procured a
rope, placed it around the neck of the
miserable man, and swung him to the end
of a woeon tonpue which was elevated for
the purpose.