The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-23
ShQIlN The EYE.

gentleman who was lately returned
from visit to Dallas, Texas, tells story
which is rather dramatic. The story was
told to him by an old hunter who had be-
come domesticated and was lounging about
one Of the Dallas hotels
Il could tell you good many queer sto-
rles, stranger said the old fellow, in con-
versation with the gentleman, "but don't
know OF any that'ud be more likely to strike
you than an experience of Sam Longs in
Harrison county, years ago. Texas wuz a
hard place then, you kin bet on that"
And then the fellow told the story, which
can scarce 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
rutiians as ever infested any distric; west OF
the Mississippi. Their number was SO great
and their organization so complete that they
set the but halt-administered law at de-
tiance, carrying on a career of daring crime
with impunity, and making the region an
undesirable place of abode for oil honest
citizens. Ostensibly, hunter or horse-tra-
ders, the desperadoes made stock stealing
their chief occupation, never hesitating to
commit o murder when necessary for their
safety or for the execution Of any oftheir
rascally plans. The controlling spirit in
this desperate organization was giant
named DICK kedditt, who, from his excep
tional ferocity and daring, exercised almost
despotic control over his followers. Aspec-
ial pride OF his man was in his extraordin-
airy skill i'll the use Of the rifle, NO one OF
the band being able to compete with him in
what was at that time considered the chief
accomplishment OF Western man.
II was . favorite practice with the band
to congregatc at some one Of the few small
stores scattered through the country and
| there engaged IN shooting matches, and it
| was on one of these occasions that Sam Long
the hunter already mentioned, happened to
be present. Long was quiet, modest fel-
| low who lived with his wife and child in u
small cabin i'll the neighborhood and who
| made hunting his constant occupation. He
| never appeared at the store save 10 ex-
change skins and was iavorably known for
his sobriety and honesty. Upon the occas-
ion just referred to, when Sam Long caanc-
Ell 10 come while the desperadoes were en-.
gagged in one of their shooting matches, they
wished him TO take part IN the sport. He
hesltated at first. but finally, not wishing
10 incur the ill will OF the rutflans, consent
ed. Ills skin with the rifle was known to
be something remarkable. aud the despcra-
does were not greatly surprised when ne
defeated them all save the Captain of the
band This man had not engaged in The
sport. but when Long had vauquished all
others he came forward with the assurance
OF an easy victory. The shots were made,
and to the surprise OF all. Long gained the
day.
The rage of the leader OF the rutians knew
no bounds a, thus being defeated in she
presence OF his followers, and. although re-
training from any violence on the spot, he
intima,ed darkly to the hunter tina. he would
yet get even with him Long paid little
attention to the threat anu soon afterward
returned to his cabin.
Al just dusk, some days later. sam Vas
lying on the door Of his cabin playing with
his child while his wife was getting supper.
The wife busy with her cooking, asked Long
| to so TO an adjacent spring and bring some
water. request which he promptly
| complied with. leaving his gun in the house
a somewhat unusual course with aim He
reached the spring and was just STOPPING
| to I'll the pail which he carried. when he
WAS borne down by sudden attack from
| behind, bound securely. and dragged some
yards into the woods. When he recognized
his assailants he knew what to expect He
had fallen into the hands OF the Redi.tt
gang, and the leader was about TO get aven
with him =
| Long was stripped and bound TO tree o.
order Of the Captain A supply Of hickory
switches WAS obtained. and then the Cap
tain seok one Of then and began the xalp-
ping, ammo uucing with al oath that nc
| man could bea; him or bis his men shooting
and stay in the country. Tee suffering Of the
victim was terrible. The fesh uas cut froz,
his back in strips BY the blows, and when
the leader Of the ruf6ans lad grasifed his
rage others II the band cansinned the pan
ishnent. But one nan among The Asnbes