Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-04-28
THE FIRST MAN.
Why He Didn't Fight.
From the New York sun.


when the train reached Reno. and while
most of the passengers were taking a
philosophical view of the delay and MAX
ins themselves as comfortable as possible
i'm the depot, i'm walked native. He
wasn't native Indian, nor a native griz-
Fly. but native Nevadian. and he was
ragged out in imperial style. He wore
a bearskin coat and cap. buckskin leg
gings and m0ccasinS, and i'm his belt was
a big knife and two revOlvers. There was
lightning in his eye, destruction i'm his
walk, and as he sauntered up to the red
hot stove and scattered tobacco Juice over
it. q dozen passengers looked pale with
fear. Among the travellers was car
painter from Jersey City, and after sur
veyipg the native tor moment, he cOOlly
inquired:
Aren't you afraid you'll fall down and
hurt yourself with those weapons ?''
"W-whatw gasped the native in as
constituent.
Il suppose they sell such outfits AS
you've got on at auction out here, don't
they ?" continued the painter
"W-what dye meail-whO ar We ?"
whispered the native as he walked
around the stove and put on terrible
look.
MY name is Logwood," was the calm
reply, ''and mean that. if [ were you.
I'll crawl u of those Old duds and put
on some decent clothes"
"DOnt talk that way TO me, or you
wont live miiIitp exclaimed the n%-
tive as he hoped asbund. "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! was the first white men in the
Black Hills! was the first white man
among the Modocs "
Il don't believe it - fatty replied the
painter. You look more like the first
white man down to the dinner tabler'
The native drew his knife, put it back
again, looked around and then softly
said:
stranger, will We come over behind
The ridge and shoot and slash till this
ting is settled?"
You bet will ~ replied the man from
Jersey, as he rose up. Just pace right
out and Ill follow!'
Every man in the room jumped to his
feet in wild excitement. The native
started for the back door, but when he
found the car-painter at his heels, with
sIx-barreled Colt in his hand, he halted
and said:
"Friend. come to think of it, don't
want to kill you and have your widow
come on me for damages"
go right ahead-I'm not a married
man !' replied the painter.
But you've got relatives. and [ don't
want no lawsuits to bother me just as
spring is coming
''l'm an orphan, without relative in
the world!" shouted the Jerseyite.
"Well, the law will make me bury
you, and it would be weeks work to
dig grave at this season of the year.
think I'll break a rib or two for you,
smash your nose, gOuge out your left |
eye. and let it 60 at Ihat!!"
That suits me to a dot" said the |
painter. ''Gentlemen, please stand back, |
md some OF you shut the door to the Ia
lies ROOM
Il was the first man to attack a grizzly |
pear with the Bowie knife" remarked
he native as he looked around. IL was
he first man to discover silver i'm Neva-
Ia. n AIDE the first scout up Powder
River. was the first man to make
hunting shirts out Of the skins of Pawuee
Indians. don't want to hurt this man,
Is he seems kinder sad and down hearted,
)ut he must apologize TO me-.
II won't do it !" cried the painter.
''GeDtlemen, never fight without TAX
ny of my coat, and don't see any nail
here to hang it on" said the native.
Ill hold it'll hold it!' shouted a
lozen voices in chorus.
land another thing" softly continued
he native. I'll never fight in a hot room.
used to do it years ago, but found it
vas running me into the consumption.
always do my fighting out doors now"
Ill 90 out doors with you. Won old
abbit kIlerI'' exclaimed the painter,
Who had his coat off.
That's another deadly insult, TO be
wiped out in blood, and L see | must fin
SIN you. / never fight around a depot,
hough. go out on the prairie, where
here is chance to throw myself"
Where's your prairie, lead the way!'
low ed the crowd.
1T wouldn't DO any good.' replied the
Iative, as he leaned against the wall
1 always hold $40 gold piece in my
Mouth when fight, and [ haven't got
Heres a gold piece !" called tall
nan, holding up the metal.
I'm thousand tunes obleeged,"
replied the native, shaking
is head. II never 20 into fight with
ut puttidg red paint on my left ear for
lck and haven't any red paint by me,
nd there isn't a bit in Reno" ID
.Are YOU = going = to - fight ?" de- .
landed the car painter, reaching out for ]
he bearskin cap.
Il took a solemn oath when boy new
to fight without painting my left ear"
rho Indian killer s.VOu
couldn't want me to 60 back on my sol
mn oath, wonld you! Z"
you're cabbage. squash, pump
L =