Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-04-14
THE FIRST NAN.

Some repairs were needed to the engine
when the train reached Reno, and while
most of the passengers were taking
philosophical view of the delay and max
ing themselves as comfortable as posi-
BILE in the depot, in walked native. He
wasn't q native Indian, nor a native
grizzly, but native Nevadian, and he
was rugged out in imperial style. He
wore bearskin coat and cap, buckskin
leggings and moccasins, and in his belt
was a big knife and two revOlvers.
There was lightning in his eye, destruc.
ton in his walk, and as he sauntered up
to the red hot stove and scattered tobacco
juice over it, a dozen passengers looked
pale with fear. Among the travellers
was a car painter from Jersey city, and
after surveying the native for moment,
he coolly inquired:
"Aren't you afraid you'll fal. down
and h"rt yourself with those weapons"
w -whatw gasped the native in as
toni-iinr NJ.
al -u:; o.e they sell such outfits as
you've got on at auction out here, don't
they" c,n:inued the painter.
"W-what dye mean-who ar ye?"
whispered the native as he walked
around the stove and put on terrible
look.
"My name is Logwood," was the calm
reply, "and l mean that if l were you,
I'd crawl out of those old buds, and put
on some decent clothes"
"DOn't talk that wav to me, OF you
won't i've mint" exclaimed the ma
tive as he hoped around. "why you
homesick coyote, I'm Grizzly Dan, the
heaviest Indian fighter in the world! l
was the first white man to scout for Gen.
Crook! l was the first white man in the
Black Hills! / was the first white man
among the Modocs"
81 Aon't believe it" fatty replied the
painter. "You look more like the first
white man down to the dinner table,"
The native drew his knife, put it back
again. looked around, and then softly
asked:
"Stranger, will We come over behind
the ridge and shoot and slash until this
thing is settled?"
"You bet / willw replied the man
from Jersey, as be rose up. "Just pace
right out and I'll follow"
Every man in the room jumped to his
feet in with excitement. The native
started for the back door, but when he
found the car painter at his heels with a
six. barreled Colt in his hand, he halted
and said:
"Friend, come to think Of it, I don't
want to kill you and have your widow
come on me for DAMAGES"
go right ahead Pm not married
man" replied the painter.
But you've got relatives, and don't
want no lawsuits to bother me just as
spring is coming"
"Pm an orphan, without relative in
the world" shouted the Jerseyite.
"Well, the law would make me bury
! you, aud it would take weeks work to
dig grave at this season OF the year.
think I'll break rib or two for you,
smash your nose, gouge out your left eye,
and let it 60 at that
"That suits me to a dot :" said the
painter. Gentlemen, please stand
back, and some of you shut the door to
the ladies' ROOM"
"I was the first man to attack grizzly
bear with tho bowie knife" remarked
the native, as he looked around. 81
was the first man to discover silver in
Nevada. l made the first scout on Pow
der river. was the first man to make
hunting-shirts out Of the skins of Pawnee
Indians. / don't want to hurt this
man. as he seems kinder sad and down
hearted, but he must apologize to me"
~ won't do itp cried the painter.
Gentlemen, never fight without
taking of my coat, and I don't zee any
nail here to hang it on" said the ma