The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-09-11
Jack FineIlRrt,


In Texas, in Arizona, in Kansas, in
New Mexico; not a gambler from Tex
as to the Black Hills but respected the
name. An expert gambler, an uner-
ring shot, unequaled as a companion on
spree, he was. nevertheless, scrupu-
lously honest, tender-heartcd, sensitive
and easily provoked to tears. lie had
one love affair, and it was the romance
In his life. | don't know the history
OF It. Nobody does but Jack, and he
was not communicative about IT.. 1t
seems that his brother was equally in
volved about the girl, and, after much
bitter feeling and exchanges had been
lnuulgcd In between them respecting
the Lady, they came to an understands
ing thoroughly typical OF the hard, un-
compromising nature of western auar-
rels Tho understanding was to the
effect that tho men pledged themselves
mover again to speak to the girl, the
penalty for al infraction of this rule
being that one brother should kill the
other. This was the compact. TO any
one familiar with the history of the
West there Is nothing strange, unnat-
ural or startling about 1t. Tue broth.
ers separated, and each went his way.
This was some years ago. This sum-
NOR Jack sought out his brother, ana
found him In Denver. He told him
briefly that he had broken his oath and
that he wanted the compact kept.
There was nothing about jacks de-
meanor that indicated foar. he war
melancholy and quiet. This indeed
was his habitual manner. lie was firm
In his determination to die by his broth
rr's hand. The witness of the COM
pact was In Denver. He was found by
Jack, and the fact was narrated to him.
lie offered remonstrancc, Of course;
Jack was MS firm as iron. His influence
over the witness, and the desire of the
latter to sec 1t out and put In as many
| obstacles as possible induced him to &C
company his friend. The brother was
waiting, and they walked out Oh the
Platte river bank. 1t was late In the
afternoon. The sun was making count
less beautiful shapes and colors over
the mountains. The air was cool and
ana green. II was a singularly invit-
Ing aspect, and the world never ap-
pcared more tempting as Il place of res
idcnce. The men spoke not word,
but strobe steadily along, Jack In front.
The witness was alarmed and Mortified.
lie know not what to do. 1t was .inz.
possible to influence those men; but he
could not now back out. They at last
reached quiet spot In shady valley.
The Platte ran beside them, and would
carry the body of Jack along with it in
few moments. They paused. Jack
drew Dcrringer and examined it care
fully. Apparently satisfied with his
inspection, hc cooked it and handed it
to his brother. Then walking few
rods he turned two-thirds profile to-
ward him. presenting his heart as the
mark to shoot ut. There the Texan
stood, with his arms folded and an OK
preston Of quiet melancholy on his
face.
81 am ready" he said, casting n sim
glc glance at his brother, with whom
he had previously shaken hands, and
then tnrning his gaze toward tho river.
The brother took deliberate aim, and
pulled the trigger. The cartridge did
not explode. Jack flung quick look
at it, and seeing his brother about to
try again, once more gazed at the river.
After another long aim the brother
suddenly throw the pistol into the riv-
or and wheeled about. Jack advanced
In anger.
"You'rc pejurer," he said. 81
would have killed you.'
The brother did not reply, but turn
cd and walked toward home.
Jack followed with the greatly re-
lieved witness. He did not utter
word until they parted in Denver. lie
made repeated efforts to induce his
brother tn carry out the compact, and
seemed more anxious to die the more
he reelected upon his escape. lie ap-
peared to court death with moody anx-
iety, and long after this affair had oeas-
ed to torment him, this strange, rest-
less desire to meet death by violence
seemed to haunt him. At three O'Clock
Oh the morning Of his death Che re-
mained up because ho was filled with
the sutfocating sense that death was
coming), he walked down Sixteenth
street with friend, and said:
"It's coming, coming, | feel 1t In the
air; but l don't know how, and I'd
like to know, I've got the sand to die
game, and III die in my boots, but I'd
like to know how it's coming.''
"You ought to 90 somewhere, u Ick,"
said his friend.
"There is not Il spot in this western
country where Jack Finehart Is not IN
danger" he replied.
At ten O'Clock lie was attending to
his duties as yard-master. A switch
engine was going down the yard be-
hind a passenger train, and Jack, know
Ing the engineer to be a Denver & Rio
Grande man, and being distr sttul Of
him, jumped on the step and rodo along