The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-11-26


Settled Accounts with the Desperadoes.
A gentleman who has lately returned from
visit to Dallas, Texas, tells story which
is rather dramatic and may be true. The
lhe story was told to him by an old hunter,
wl0 nod L--- .-.----.o.. anu was
lounging about one of the Dallas hotels.
81 could tell you good many queer sto-
ries, stranger, said the old fellow, in CONVEX
sation with the gentleman, "but / don't
know of any thatud be more likely to kind
o strike you than an experience of Sam
Longs in Harrison county, years ago Texas
wuza tough place then; you kin bet on
that !"
And then the old fellow told the story,
which can scarcely be as graphic in print as
in his terse idiom:
Years ago Harrison county, in Texas, was
the haunt of about as desperate gang of
rufiians as ever infested any district west of
the Mississippi. Their number was so great,
and their organization so complete that they
set tho but half-administered law at defiance
carrying on career of daring crime with
impunity, and making the region an unde-
sirable place ofabode for all honest citizens
| Ostensibly hunters or horse traders, the
desperadoes made stock stealing their chic
occupation, never hesitating to commit q
murder when necessary for their safety OF
for the execution of any of their rascally
plans. The controlling spirit in this desper.
ate organization was giant named Dick
Reddett, who from his exceptional ferocity
and daring, exercised almost despotic con.
troll over his followers. A special pride OF
| this man was in his extraordinary skill in
| the use of the rifle, no one in the band be-
ing able to complete with him in what was
at that time considered the chief accomplish
ment of a western man.
1t was tavorite practice with the band to
cOngregatc at some one of the few small
stores scattered through the country and
there engage in shooting matches, and it was
| upon one Of these occasions that Sam Long
| the hunter already mentioned, chanced to be
present. Long was a quiet, modest fellow,
who lived with his wife and child in small
cabin in their neighborhood, and who made
hunting his constant occupation. He never
| appeared at the store save to exchange skins
and turs for provisions or ammunition, and
was widely and favorably known for hi,
sobriety and honesty. Upon the occasion
just referred to, when SamLong chanccds ia
come while the desperadocs were engaged
in one of their shooting matches, they wished
him to take part in the sport. He hest,
tated at first, but finally, not wishing to in
cur the i'll will of the ruttians, consented
His skill with the rifle was known to bt
something remarkable, and the desperadoc,
were not greatly surprised when he defeated
them all save the captain Of the band. Thi
man had not engaged in the sport, but, whel
Long had yanquished all others, he cam,
forward with the assurance ofan easy victory
The shots were made, and, to the surprise o
all, Long gained the day. The rage of tn
leader Of the ruiiians knew no bounds Il
thus being defeated in the presence of hi
followers, and although refraining from an
violence on the spot, he intimated darkly t
the hunter that he would yet "get even wit
him." Long paid little attention to til
threat, and soon afterward returned to hi
cabin.
At just dusk, some days later, Sam Wa
lying on the floor of his cabin playing with
child, while his wife, busy with her cooking
asked Long to go TO an adjacent spring an
bring some water, 4 request which i
=. promptly complied with, leaving his gun
: the house, somewhat unusual course wit
> him. lie had reached the spring, and WI
just STOPPING to fiji the pail which he ca
riod, when he was borne down by suddC
attack from behind, bound securely, N
dragged some yards into the woods, VIII,
he recognized his assailauts he knew what
I expect lie had fallen into the hands
d the Reddett gang, and the leader was abo
d to "get even with him" Long Was strip,
and bound to tree by order of the captai
t. A supply Of hickory switches was obtaine