The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-09-01
FRONTIERILITE.

silvering my hair-I had occasion to
visit the far West in government EN-.
ploy, with party of'surveyors. The
nature of ourserrand, our numbers,
and the elaborate preparations we had
made against any hostile demonstra.
tions, insured us from any molestatiou,
save ina few rare instances; yet in
that wild country it was impossible
that we should remain long without
witnessing many scenes not familiar in
law-abiding ami civilized districts. To
be sure we were not beyond the pale
of law-that is, there were certain of.
ficers, widely scattered, who OCCASION
ally shot down some drunken despera.
do, if his friends were not too numer.
Gus, but beyond such heroic acts they
seldom exercise the powers they were
supposed to possess. Generally, each
separate community had recognized
leader, some man more muscular and
reckless than his fellows, and who by
virtue Of these qualities had certain
number of followers, who were ready
to see that his will was the ruling
power in that vicinity. OF course
such men we're the real law. akers,
and they we're very seldom opposed or
molested.
Such a one was Jack Dunlaw.
Jacks headquarters were at the sta
ton on the Overland Mail route where
we CHANGED to be located for a few
weeks, while surveying in that vicini.
ty, and we had good opportunity to
witness most Interesting incident in
his experience, which transpired while
we were there. In appearance he was
formidable enough as we saw him on
the morning after our arrival. Fully
six feet six inches in heighth, with
long arms and legs, slightly STOPPING,
with ponderous frame, immense
masses of hair and beard, clothing in
keeping with his general appearance,
and neither over-cleanly or attractive,
bowie knife aud revolver thrust into
his belt as he walked about the station,
Jack was certainly the man to intimi.
date any person of moderate nerves.
For many years he had been recog-
nized as the leading spirit IN that vi,
cinity, and from that position he had
grown independent of all restraint
save his own will. He bad a chosen
band Of followers who were ready to
support him in every villainous under.
taking. We were. npF fong kept in
waiting before sd1de Of bis peculiari-
ties were brought to our notice.
The keeper of the station, Frank
Russell, was a medium sized man
some forty years of age, who had re.
Gently come to the place, bring with
him family consisting of one daugh
ter, his wife, and young man who
had been in his employ several years
and who was said to be the accepted
lover of the daughter Cora. Stepher
Ra&RsyNas his name, very quiet
gentlemanly appearing young man
some five feet nine inches high, anc
weighing at a moderate estimate /,
hundred and City pounds. He seldom
spoke unless addressed. when his word
were brief and tQ the point.~
On the morning following our arri
VRl, while the chief engineer of ou
ctrps was preparing the work for th,
day, the remainder of the party, afte
examining their instruments and put
} ting everything in readiness for ser
vice, disposed ourselves about the sta
tion to smoke and wait for orders
While wreathing ouselves in vapor
4, and longing for day or two of rest
in strobe Jack Dunlaw, and demanded
dram of whiskey. The barkeepe
!, produced the beverage. and Jack, VIII
- was already more than excited by tn
potalions of vile liquor, which he ha'
swallowed, turned it down with a CUR
gle. just as he lowered the tin Gu
which served instead of tumbleI
;, Cora Russell entered the room lookin
n for her father.
q q "Here, gal, give us a kiss" JAG
/ exclaimed, as he caught sight of hel
r Alarmed at his brutal manner, tn
: girl turned to leave the room, but bt
fore she could do so the bully ha
caught and kissed her repeatedly wit
his liquor -fumed and tobacco staine
lips.
. AS she broke from his grasp an
: ss escaped at length, he turned to th
bar again, and with some beastly re
mark, threw down a coin and sauDte
" ed out, those of his admirers preser
laughed heartily as he left the plac
As the scene progressed i spran
from my seat and took step tOwaT
the rufian, but surveyor pulled N
back, and with diffidence and coy
ardice of which ever since have bee
ashamed, did not make a secor
movement
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