Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-08-28
Jack Finellart.

as to the Black Hills but respected the
name. An expert gambler, an uner.
ring shot, unequaled as companion on
a spree, he was. nevertheless, scrupu-
lously honest, tender-hearted, sensitive
and easily provoked to tears. He 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, Ii
seems that his brother was equally in
volved about the girl, and, after much
bitter feeling and exchanges had been
INDUCED in between them respecting
the lady, they came to an understand
ing thoroughly typical OF TIE hard, un-
compromising nature of western quar-
rels The understanding was to the
effect that the men pledged themselves
never again to speak to the girl, the
penalty for an 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 it. The broth.
ers separated, and each went his way. &.
This was some years ago. This sum-
mer Jack sought out his brother, and
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 fear. he wac
melancholy and quiet. This indeed
was his habitual manner. He was firm
in his determination to die by his broth
er's hand. The witness of the COM
pact was in Denver. He was found by
Jack, and the fact was narrated to him.
He offered remOnstrance, of course
Jack was as firm as iron. His influence
over the witness, and the desire of the
latter to see it out and put In as many
obstacles as possible induced him to ac-
company his friend. The brother was
waiting, and tney walked out on the
Platte river bank. 1t was late I'm the
afternoon. The sun was making count
less beautiful shapes and colors over
the mountains. The air was cool and
dry, and the earth looked very fresh
and green. 1t was a singularly invit-
ing aspect, and the world never ap-
peared more tempting as a place of res
idence. The men spoke not a word,
but strobe steadily along, Jack in front.
The witness was alarmed and Mortified.
lie knew not what to do. 1t was i'm
possible to influence these pagpv; pfaigpv RRpt Rp + he
feached-a quiet spot in a shady valley.
The Platte ran beside them, and would
carry the body of Jack along with it in
few moments. They paused. Jack
drew Derringer and examined it care
fully. Apparently satisfied with his
inspection, he cooked it and handed it
to his brother. Then walking a few
rods he turned a two-thirds profile to-
ward him, presenting his heart as the
mark to shoot at. There the Texan
stood, with his arms folded and an ex-
preston of quiet melancholy on his
face.
81 am ready" he said, casting sim
gle glance at his brother, with whom
he had previously shaken hands, and
then tnrning his gaze toward the river.
The brother took deliberate aim, and
pulled the trigger. The cartridge did
not explode. Jack flung a 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 threw the pistol into the riv-
er and wheeled about. Jack advanced
in anger.
you're pejurer," he said. 81
would have killed you"
The brother did not reply, but turn
ed and walked toward home.
Jack followed with the greatly re-
lieved witness. He did not utter
word until they parted in Denver. He
made repeated efforts to induce his
brother to carry out the compact, and
seemed more anxious TO die the more
he reflected upon his escape. He 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
on the morning of his death Che re-
manned up because he was filled with
the suffocating sense that death was
coming), he walked down Sixteenth
street with friend, and said:
"It's coming, coming, feel it 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 go somewhere, D. Ack,"
said his friend.
"There is not a spot in this western
country where Jack Finehart is not In
danger" he replied.
At ten O'Clock he was attending to
his duties as yard-master. A switch
engine was going down the yard be-
hind 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 rode along
with him. The rieketty engine was
going very fast. 1t went off the rails
and fell over, and Yard-master Fine
hart was crushed to death and badly
mutilated. The engineer was also
killed.
| To think that a man who was cover