The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-05-05
THE FIRST NAN.

most of the passengers were taxing a
philosophical view Of the delay and max
ing themselves as comfortable as posi-
BILE in the depot, in walked a native. He
wasn't a native Indian, nor D native
grizzly, but a native Nevadian, and he
was rugged out in imperial style. He
wore a 5earskin 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 scatteied 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 a moment,
he coolly inquired:
"Aren't you afraid you'll fall down
and hurt yourself with those weapons ?"
"W-whatp gasped the native in as
constituent.
"I suppose they sell such outfits as
you've got OF at auction out here, don't
theyw continued the painter.
"W-what dye mean-who ar ye?"
whispered the native as he walked
around thS stove and put on a terrible
"My name is Logwood," was the calm
reply, "and I mean that if I were you,
I'd crawl out Of those old buds, and put
on some decent clethesW
Don't talk that wav to me, OF you
won't i've a minit!" exclaimed the ma
tive as he hoped around. "Why you
homesick coyote, I'm Grizzly Dan, the
heaviest Indian fighter in the world! /
was the first white man to scout for Gen.
Crook I was the first white man in the
Black Hills! I was the first white man
among the Modocs!"
81 don't believe it'll" fatty replied the
painter. "You look more like the first
white man down to the dinner tablet"
The native drew his knife, put it back
again, locked around, and then softly
asked:
"Stranger, will ye come owe behind
the ridge and shoot and slash until this
thing is settledg
"You bet I will" replied the man
from jersey, as he 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 q
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"
eco right ahead Pm not a married
man" replied the painter.
"But you e got relatives, and I don't
want no lawsuits to bother me just as
spring is coming"
"Pm an orphan, without a relative in
the worldI" shouted the Jerseyite..
swell, the law would make me bury
you, and it would take a weeks work to
dig a grave at this season of the year. l
think I'll break a 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."
81 was the first man to attack q grizzly
bear with the bowie knife" remarked
the native, as he looked around. 81
was the first man to discover silver in
Nevada. I made the first scout on Pow
der river. I was the first man to make !
hunting-shirts out of the skins of Pawnee
Indians. l don't want to hurt this
man, as he seems kinder sad and down |
hearted, but he must apologize to ME-"
II won't do it" cried the painter.
"Gentlemen, [ never fight without
taking off my coat, and I don't see any
nail here 10 hang it on" said the ma
tive"
"Tll hold it ~ shouted a dozen voices
in chorus.
"And another thing" softly con-
tinued the native, "Inever fight in q hot
room; | used to do it years ago, but l
found' it was running me into con-
sumption. I always do my fighting out
doors now."
"Tn 60 out with you, you old rabbit.
exclaimed the painter, who had
his coat off.
"That's another deadly insult, to be
out in blood, and I see I must
finish you. l never fight around a
Though. I go out on a prairie,
where" there is a chance to throw my
>
Where's your prsirie?-lead the
howled the crowd.
cit wouldn't do any good" replied
he native, as he leaned against the wall.
/ always hold a ten dollar gold piece in
ny mouth when l fight, and I haven't
o. one to-day-in fact, Pm dead broke"
"Here's a gold pieceI" called a tall
nan, holding up the metal.
"Tm a thousand times obleeged,"
nournfully replied the native shaking
lis head" / never 60 into a fight with