The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-07
| In different keys, crying "Jack ). "Jack
Finehart |" "Come out, you damned

III ulheIelL Keys, crying JACK JACK
Finehart "Come out, you damned
Texan.'' -
"Come IA boys" he drawled, getting his
tools ready. Just as be stepped out, q
cooked revolver in each band and a bowie
knife across his mouth, there was roar Of
laughter from the crowd.
1twas moonlight, aud Jack was arrested
in the act OF opening fire.
The leader then assured him that they
simply wanted his assistance TO run Stub
Hawkins, a noted horse-thief, of to Cotton
wood.
Jack put mp his pistols in
| GREAT DUDGEoN AND DISAPPOINTMENT. :.
On another occasion Jack was in a New
Mexico har-room. A young New Yorker
was talking a good deal, and Jack, in his
drawling Texan humor or indifference (the
quality resembles either), offended and in
suited him without intent. Finally the New
Yorker drew seven.chambered pea.shoot-
er and discharged every barrel at Jack Fine
hart. The desperate received the shots
without moving q muscle until they were
nearly exhausted. Then, drawing quickly
q pistol foot long, he shivered the pea
shooter in the Youngsters band. and said L.
"Stranger, buy gun that won't disgrace
this country"
He deliberately put his "gun" back and
did not even look TO see where the New
Workers. shots struck.
A young gentleman beiricnded Jack and
won his everlasting devotion. Finehart
was one OF the most delicately- y-organized
men I ever met. He was like woman
only less ashamed OF natural emotion. Jack
heard OF some danger impending over his
friend. For three months he dogged him
day and night, ever lowering around him
with two revo!yers bucked about him. At
last the night OF the consummation of The
scheme O: revenge was at hand. Two men
sprans upon the young man with the ia
tention OF letting out his l1e-blood with
knives.
"Saye me-" he contrived to scream.
"That's what Jack Fnehart has been
waiting two months to do" cried the owner
OF the name, as soon as the smoke from his
shots had cleared oil.
Drawing and firing both reyolvers at once,
be had pinked both the assa>sins.
Finehart had Il powerful name in Texas,
in Arizona, in Kansas. in New Mexico;
not a gambler from Texas to the Black
Hills but respected the name. An expert
gambler, an unnerring shot, uneQualled rs a
companion on spree, he was, nevertheless,
scrupulouSly honest, tender-hearted, sensl-
tive, and easily provoked to tears. He had
way OF subduing pack Of scoundrels by
walking into their midst unarmed and utter
ing his wish. He brought eight men one
cold night, when he was on spree, out OF
4 house OF prostitution, and arranged them,
without any clothing, all in a row along the
sidewalk, where he delivered a lecture to
the chattering wretches on the " Evil OF I'm
morality" lie had 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 communica-
tive about it. 1t seems that his brother was
equally involved about the girl, and, after
much bitter feeling and exchanges had been
INDUCED in between them respecting the
lady. they came to IN understanding thor
ougbly typical OF the hard, uncompromiS-
ing nature OF western quarrels. The I'M
derstandlng 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, unnatural, or
startling about it. The brothers separated,
aud each went his way. This was some
years ago. This summer Jack sought
out his brother, and found him in
! Denver. lie told him briefly that he
had broken his oath, and wanted
the compact kept. There was nothing
about Jacks demeanor that indicated fear.
He was melancholy and quiet. This was
indeed bis habitual manner. He was firm
in his determination to die by bis brothers.
hand. The witness to the compact was in
Denver. He was found by Jack, and the
fact was narrated to him. He offered re-
monstrance, 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, in
duced him to accompany his friend. The
brother was waiting. and they walked out
on the Piatt.eriver bank. 1t wash hatc in the
afternoon. The sun was making countless
beautiful shapes and colors over the
mountains. The air was cool and dry,
and the earth looked very fresh and
green. 1t was sing ngularly-inviting aspect,
aud the world never appeared more
tempting as place OF residence. The
men spoke not word, but strobe steadily
along, Jack in front. The witness was
alarmed and horritied. He knew not what
to do. 1t was impossible to Influence these
men: but he could not now back out They
at last reached quiet spot in shady val
| lev. The Platte ran beside them, and would
carry the body of Jack Finehart along with
| it In few moments. They paused. Jack
drew D rringer and examined it CAREFUL.
Apparently satisfied with his inspection he
cock, d it and handed it to his brother. Then
walking few yards lie turned q two-thirds
profile toward him, presenting his heart as
the mark to shoot at. There the Texan
stood, with his arms folded, and an express
sion OF quiet melancholy on his face.
II am ready" he said, casting single
glance ut his brother, with whom he had
previously shaken hands, and then turning
his gaze toward the river. The brother
levelled the pistol, took deliberate aim,
| .,. AND PULLED THE TRIGGER.
The cartridge did not explode. Jack
| flung quick look at it, and, seeing his bro
| tber about to try again, once more gaZed at
the river. After another long aim the bro
ther suddenly threw the pistol into the
river and wheeled about, Jack advanced
in anger.
YOU'RE a perjurer," he said. "Iwould
have killed YOU"
The brother did not reply, but turned
and walked toward home.
Jack followed with the greatly-releved
witness. He did not utter word until they
parted in Denver. He made repeated efforts
| to induce his brother to carry out the COM
pact, and seemed more anxious to die the
more he reelected upon his escape. he ap-
peared to court death with moody anxiety,
and Ion. after this affair bad ceased to tor
ment him, this strange, restless desire to
,,oo+ daotb by violence hauEteu him, At 9