Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-10-12
Misrellaneous. 81
go
Frontier Life.

Several years since, when was quite q
YGghT haiqGiHgt otSaeyvif ,8oY,- hilsaFe
Tar West in government employ, with par
" Of surveyors. The nature OF our errand.
our, numbers. and the elaborate prepsrat-
ions we had made against any hostile dem
onstrations, insured us from any molestat-
ion, save in a few rare instances; yet in
that wild country 1t was impossible that
we should remain long without witness
ing NANNY scenes not familiar in lawabid-
ing and cultivated districts. TO be sure
We were not beyond the pale of Law
that is there were certain officers. widely
scattered. who occasionally shot down
some drunken desperado, IL his friends
were not too numerous. but beyond such
heroic acts they seldom exercised the
powers they were supposed TO possess.
Generally, each seperate community had
4 recognized leader, some man more mus.
cular and reckless than his fellows, and
who by virtue of his qualities had Ger
tain number OF followers. who were ready
to see that his will was the ruling power
in that vicinity. OF couse such men were
the real lawn akers, and they were very
seldom opposed or molested.
such one was Jack Dunlaw. Jacks
headquarters were al the station ON the
Overland Mail route where We CHANGED TO
be located for few weeks, while survey
ing In that vicinity, and we had good
opportunity TO witness most Interesting
incident in his experience, which tran
spired whill we were there. In appearan-
ce he WAS formidable enough. AS we saw
him on the morning after our arrival
Fully six feet six inches in height, with
long arms and legs, slightly STOPPING. with
a ponderous frame, immense masses OF
hair and beard, clothing in keeping with
his general appearance, and neither over
cleanly or attI active a bowie knife and
revolver trust into his belt as he walked
about the station. Jack was certainly the
man TO intimidate any person Of moderate
nerves.
For many years he had been recognized
as the leading spirit in that vicinity, and
| from that position he he had grown inde-
pendent OF all restraint save his own WILL
lie had chosen band of followers who
were ready to support him in every Villain
ous undertaking. We were not long kept
| in waiting before some of his peculiarities
were brought to our notice.
The keeper of the station, Frank Rus
! sell, was medium sized man. some 1or-
ty years Of age, who had recently come
( to the place, bringing with him family
| consisting of one daughter, his wife, and
I
several wears, and who was said TO be the
accepted lover of the daughter Cora. Ste
phen Ranney was his name. very quite,
gentlemanly appearingIy young man, some
Ave feet nine inches high, and weighing
| at a moderate estimate hundred and
ffty pounds. He seldom spoke unles.
adressed. when his words were brief and
to the point.
On the morning our arrival. while the
chief engineer of our corps was preparing
the work for the day, the remainder OF the
party, after examining their Instruments
and putting everything In readiness foI
service, disposed ourselves about ths
station to smoke and wait for orders
While wreating ourselves in vapor. ant
longing for day or two rest, IN strod'
Jack Dunlaw. and demanded dram
wbiskev. The barkeeper produced tht
beverage. and Jack. who was already
more than excited by the potations o
vile liauor, which he had swallowed
turned il down with gurgle. just as b.
lowered the tin cup which served instea'
of a tumbler, Cora Russell entered tn
room, looking for her father.
Here, gal. give US kiss.'' JACK ex
claimed. as he caught sight vi her,
Alarmed at his brutal manner. the gii
turped to leave the room. bat before sh
could do so the bully had caught and kiss
ed her repeatedly with his liquor-fume
and tobacco stained lips.
As she broke from bis graspsnd oscar
, ed at length, he turned 70 the bar ssai
and with some beastly renarks. threw
down q coin and sauntered out, those
his admirers present laughing bearfiy
he left the place. as.H sgha,
As the scene progressed sprang froI
my seat and took . STEP toward the rG
Nsn. but . surveyor pulled me bacl
Z aud vitha dif1denee and cewsrdIce I
Z whjchI ever since have. been ashamed.
o did not make . second movement.
saw the fsther turp slightly pale, o.
he made no protest, only following .
7 daughter from the room and returning se'