The Lake County star., 1876-05-18
A Black Hills Sketch.
kansas City Times.

kansas City Times.
The 10th day of March was the coolest
day experienced in the Black Hills dur
ing 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 neighboring gulches hocked
into the dark, cheerless cabins and hud-
died together in shivering groups about
the pitch or pine fires, kept up for the
free accommodation of all who might
seek warmth and shelter within doors.
At least thirty men had congregated in
the most prominent store, the largest and
best in Custer. The mud floor was rem
dered muddier by the thawing of the ice
and snow which dripped in small streams
from the rough wrappings of the cosmo-
politan assemblage.
The store is deserted military bar
racks, a large, low, barn.like affair, con-
tanning beds, blacksmith's forge, carpen-
ter's bench, bar-room, grocery and no.
ton store, and reporters desk. The CEN
ter of attraction was the bar, which was
being literally patronized by the shiver-
ing crowd.
A party of young men from Salt Lake
and the mines of Nevada came rushing
into the store, and, with loud, boisterous
braggadocia, took possession of the bar.
Ranging themselves in row in its front,
they called for "sOme o. that ar licker."
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 twenty
days voyage, and were about to sepa-
rate and each 60 his own way, some to the
north, some to the south, and others to
remain; and this was the farewell drunk.
For fully two hours they stood before
the. bar, pouring down whisky, and
about / o'clock started for the door, where
their teams stood shivering in the storm.
Alexander Shaw and Tom Milligan
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
his revolver and fired in the air.
Fire higher, Tom, or you'll hit some
of us" said companion.
Too late! the pistol was again raised
again by the reeling man. There was a
flash, report and Aleck Shaw reeled
across the threshold of the door.
"Good God Tom what have you
done? Did you shoot Aleck ?" said one
of the party.
"No, he's only possuming, boys" an
swered Shaw. '"Get up, Aleck, and take
drink"
The reckless shooter staggered to the
PROSTATE form which lay upon its face,
and seizing him by the coat collar, turned
it over. A CHASTITY, sickening sight was
presented to view. The pale face was
striped with blood, which Oozed out of a
small hole in the forehead. The bullet
had pierced through the brain, and had
lodged beneath the skull upon the back
of the head. For amoment the drunken
man stared down into his friends bloody
face, then his countenance 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, didn't 90 to do it. I'll swear
/ didn't mean to kill him." then, burst
ing into tears, he clasped his hands TO
his face and stood sobbing like a child.
"He was the best friend had in the
world, boys; and l loved him like a
brother. Oh, God, what have / done /!
What have / doneT"
"Lets hang him." suggested some
excitable individual, behind the half
sobered group Of Salt Lake men.
"No, no! None O. that ere business
Just yet in Custer. The man must have
a trial." said a citizen, coolly, as he
drew his revolver.
"I arrest, you, sir, in the name of the
citizens of Custer" said Pete Mckay,
the merchant, and Milligan stood meekly
awaiting the grasp of the law.
"Who'll dare to arrest him ?" said
one of the drunken Salt Lakers. "You
let go of him, you Pete Mckay. You've
got no legal authority to arrest him, SO
jest take your claws off him. or Pll-'
"This is my authority" said Pete
Mckay, drawing his pistol. 81 am q
citizen of Custer, and intend to turn this
man over to the City Marshal. Who
dares to interfereT'
mo one % answered one or two of the
by-standers, and half dozen pistols
flashed from their scabbards, and for sew.
eral minutes there was an ominous silence
in the group. 1t was fine tableau.
There lay the victim of drunken ruff
fans recklessness, the brains slowly
oozing from the hole in the forehead
Over him stood the sObered ruffian, pale
and paralyzed with horror, while pistol
in hand stood the merchant grasping the
shoulder of the submissive Milligan
behind him dozen or more miners
hunters and emigrants, silently support
ing the stern, determined merchant
while opposite them were ranged the
Salt Lake party, irresolute and surprised
1t was critical period in the history o
Custer. A shot from either side woulC
have resulted in terrible slaughter
The least attempt to rescue Milligar
would have brought forth volley from
the citizens, and then Judge Lynch woult
have been called in to finish up the bust
ness.
Marshal Burroughs soon arrived ant
took charge of the prisoner. A jury
was at once impaneled, and frontie
trial commenced in little log cabin, tn,
home, Office, bedroom and courtroom o
the Provisional Judge. The trial wa
brief, the principal witness was the re
porter; nearly all the other spectator
present at the tragedy were too drunl
to remember what transpired. The 81,
jurymen brought in verdict of "no
guilty" Then the acquitted man wa
rearrested for shooting within the city
limits and fined twenty-five dollars an,
costs, which was paid, and Milligal
started forth, free man, to drink, brag
and shoot again should the-spirit promp
him so to do. This is a true sketch o
Black Hills life, and fully illustrates on
of the peculiar phases Of frontier justic
as executed by a people who goverl
themselves in a little republic of thei
own creation.
A HOG with an artificial leg must b
a touching and picturesque object. TIL
cow-catcher at Dunleith teok off one o
| 81