The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-05-05
BLACK HILLS SKETCHES
a Winter Days Tragedy I'm
Gustav Park.

A Winter Days Tragedy fn
Gustav Park.
The tenth day of March was
the coolest day experienced in
the Blsck Hills during the entire
winter. The mercury was down
to twenty below zero and was still
sinking, while the snow rolled
down in binding, eddying clouds, |
rendering life out of doors almost
impossible. The unfortunates
who were encamped in and about
the netghhoring gnlches fiocked
into the dark, cherries cabins and
huddled together in shivering
groups about the pitch or pine
fires, kept up for the free accom-
mediation of all who might seek
warmth and shelter within doors.
At least thirty men had congrega-
ted in the most prominent store,
the largest in Gustav. The
mud floor was rendered muddierI
by the thawing of the ice and
snow which dripped in small
streams from the rough wrappings
of the cosmopolitan assemblage.
The store is a deserted military
barracks, large, low, barn like
affair, containing beds, black
smiths forge, carpenters bench,
bar room, grocery and notion
store, and reporters desk. The
center of attraction was the bar,
which was being liberlly patron
ICED by the shivering crowd.
A party Of young men from
Salt Lake and the mines of Neva-,
da came rushing into the store
and with loud, boisterous braga
docia, took possession of the bar,
rsnging themselves in row in
it's front, they called for "seme O
that ar Ticker" Round after
round of whisky was poured down,
and still they stood and talked,
and swore and laughed. They
had Just arrived from Cheyenne
after a twenty days voyage, and
were about to separate and each
go his own way, some to the north,
others south, and one or two to
remain; and this was the farewell
drunk. For fully two hours they
stood before the bar, pouring
down whisky, and about one
o'clock started for the door, where
their teams stood shivering in the
storm.
Alexander Shaw and Tom Mil
ligan were partners, both from
Salt Lake, both young, rough,
but affectionate friends, just on
the point of shaking hands before
parting. They reached the door
and rushed forth, shouting and
yelling, like drunken men often
do. Milligan drew his revolver
and fired in the air.
"Fire lower Tom, or you'll hit
some of u.s." said a companion.
Too latei the pistol was raised
again by the reellng man. There
was q flash, report and Aleck
Shaw reeled and fell across the
threshold of the door.
"Good God! Tom, what have
you done? Did you shoot Aleck,
TomT" said one of the party.
ssNo, he's only possuming, boys"
answered Shaw. "Get up Cd
d-n you Aleck, and come take a
drink" San t u.t es
The reckless shooter staggered
to the PROSTATE form which lay
upon its face, and selling him by
| the coat collar turned it over. A
1gastly, slckening sight was pre-
sented to view. The pale face was
striped with bleod, which oozed
out Of o small hole in the fore
hoad. The bullet had pierced
Through the brain, and had lodged
beneath the skull upon the back
lof the head. For a moment the
drunken man stared down into
his friends bloody face, then his
lcountenance assumed a deadly
pallor. his eyes became fixed with
horror. He was sobered. Turning
round to his Mortified companions
he said-as he threw his pistol
down-"Boys I didn't go to do it
'II'lf swear 1 didn't mean to kill
him." then bursting into tears he
cIapped his hands to his face and
stood sobbing like child.
sHe was the best friend / had
) in the world, boys, and l loved
him like q brother. Oh, God, wins
have I donei What have I done p
Lets hang him." suggested
some excitable individual behind
|. the half-sobered group of Salt
Lake men. .s
.sNo, no! None o. that ere bust
ness just yet in Gustav. The man
must have a trial." said citizen
coolly, as he drew his revolver.
81 arrest you. sir, in the name
of the citizens or Gustav" sale
Pete Mckay, the merchant, and
Milligan stood meekly awaiting
the grasp of the law.
who'll dare to arrest kimf'
said one of the drunken Sal
Lakers. "You let go of him, yol
| Pete Mckay. You've got no lie
gal authority to arrest him, so jes
|. take your claws of him or PHI
"This is my authority" saiC
: Pete Mckay, drawing the pistol
, Liam q citizen of Gustav, and in
|, ttend to turn this man over to thu
) ECity Marshal. Who dares to in
terfere with me?1 $50
"No oner answered one or tw,
of the bystanders, and halt doz
: en- pistols flashed out from thei
: jscabbards and for several minute