The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-09-23
Bucking Down a Door.

Iney were rough, stOny-fisted groul
OF pioneer woOdSmen, who had gathered
IN front of the one little family grocery
oar-room and general merchandise stor,
combined, for their morning bitters, ,anC
little game of draw poker. Among tn,
NUMBER was old ''Unclen Sam Heath
VINO resided on the Franklin side of tn,
bayou, and several other kindred spirits
ready Tor any thing that might turn up
John +. Saunders, proprietor of the
grocery, always kept on hand good
supply OF what was known in those day,
as "Dexter'S Best" and he was liberia
IN dispensing it to his friends and pa.
irons, but the crowd in front of his store
that morning comprised a party that
had done more drinking than paving
and Knowing how impossible it would
be to deny them drink or collect any
revenue, he determined to disappoint
them by getting out of the way and leav-
ing the door locked.
"Tom," said Uncle Sam, ego and
ask jsthc for the key" when the crowd
had tired of waiting.
Mrs. Saunders lived but thirty steps
from the store, and Tom soon returned,
but without the key.
''What shall we do?'' asked Uncle
Sam. ''I'm thirsty, and must liquor
if l have to butt that door down. will
you stand by me, boys?''
"Stand by you and drink by you, -
was the speedy and energetic response,
land, if necessary, fight by you.''
''Clear the way" said Uncle Sam, as
he measured forty PAGES and fixed his
eye on the door.
When ''the boys" saw Uncle Sam pre-
pairing for the attack upon the grocery,
they set up cheering that frightened
Mrs. Saunders, and caused her to call
in the children and lock her door.
s. Make it ten yards more"
"Get good start, Uncle Sam. Make
the distance fifty yards,n said several
voices, and as the old man moved back
and eyed the ground, the shouts and
cheers became deafening.
"Ready?" " asked the crowd.
Ready" replied Uncle Sam.
"Go!" said the leader; and away he
started.
With his head bent and his arms
akimbO, Uncle Sam moved toward the
door, slowly, at first, but gathering
speed as he moved along, until about
half way, when he was at Il full run,
urged on by such cheering as had
never before been heard on Bayou Ma
son.
He struck the door very heavily with
his head, but it still remained firm on
its hinges. Uncle Sam picked himself
up, clapped his hands to his head, rub
bed his bloOdShot eyes, and looked lone
ly and depressed. His companions
gathered around to sympathize with
him, but he surprised them by crying
out determinedly:
"Stand away, boys; give me more
room and fresh air, and I'll bring the
door down this time, or give it con-
gestiye shake
This time he measured sixty yards,
bowed his head and started. He bound
ed back from the door like a rubber
ball, his eyes glistened like fire, SEEM
ing ready to pop from their sockets, and
the blood Streamed from his nostrils.
His pulse beat fast, and his breathing
kept pace with his pulse. He clapped
both hands to his temple and cried
hoarsely for water. A basin was
brought, his head bathed, and stream
of water went splashing down his back.
Did she budge?"
"Yes, sir; the hinges creaked and the
door trembled."
"Creaked, did she?''
Fairly shook, sir"
"All right, boys" and Uncle Sam
looked more determined than ever.
The water had cooled his temples, and
as he rose, stretched himself to his full
height, struck his breast a heavy, ex-
ultant blow, and remarked:
Il feel now as if | could butt h
down if jug of whisky was inside
Stand back, give me room and keep
quiet, and III make sash out of that
door,
This time he measured off eighty
PAGES, paused an instant to nerve him
self for the exertion, started off at
rapid pace, and struck the door, head
foremost, with all his might, and with
such momentum that locks and hinges
burst like brittle glass, and Uncle Sam
fell sprawling on the floor inside.
"Drink hearty, boys" said Uncle
Sam. "It's only one-third water and
two-thirds whisky, for | have no.
ticed gradual decline in the bayou
since that barrel arrived"
They did drink hearty, and when the
proprietor (who had noted the proceed
ing from his place of cOncealment) ar
rived, there was no need of his saying,
" Help yourselves, boys, and by 'ned-
dies, just make Warsaw your home
They were already doing that.
The next day there was a funeral on
Bayou Mason, and Uncle Sam rode in
the front carriage. The doctor said it
was brain fever, but it made short work
of poor, old Uncle Sam, and in the large
cortege that followed his remains to the
grave there was no sincerer mourner
than the grocery-keeper and the one
survivor of that party who now lives to
tell the story of forty years ago.-Vicbs-
Uo,.oh