The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-08-12
HOY KIRBY DIED. : -: ::
From JAMES G. CLARK in tho Minneapolis Spec.
tatOr.

HOY KIRBY DIED. I: .s
From JAMES G. CLARK in tho Minneapolis Spec.
tator. !
"Colonel'' Kirby was typical soutl.-
ern bulldozer, Of the better or intelli-
gent class. Ssssf e:Was one of the last of
that race Of men born OF the spirit Of
could, sir gle-handed, rule aWhO!e town
His plantation was about four miles
from llemsted, Waller co., Texas Wal
Ter Co. is small and contains only five
or six post offices. 1t was, believe, at
one time, part of Washington County.
At that period the county seat was up
wards of twenty mics from Kirby,s
plantation. Kirby did not like to drive
that distance to court every session,
and he conceived the idea of making
new county with Hemstead for the
county seat. He laid his plans to this
end and engaged one or two politicians
to cooperate with him. For two years
the effort was made, but defeated by
the people at the polls. This did not
discourage Kirby, but rather brought
out the resources OF the man. a whole
sale and retail merchant Of Hemstead,
named 1rOnbeck, was intere, ted in the
matter, for local reasons, and had been
one of Kirby's best political helpers.
Mr.. Ironbeck was an honest, straight
forward, kind-learted German, who
made friends Of all who dealt with him
One day as he was discussing the new
county project with Kirby, and stating
that the thing began to look. doubtful,
Kirby remarked to him, "Ironbeck, you
have 4 great deal OF influence in this
county, and have it solely through the
love that people feel toward you. You
win by dealing kindly and justly, and
doing as you would be done by. But
have ten times more influence than YOU.
| can accomplish results where you
fail every time, and I rule people and
make them do my bidding because they
fear me. [ have not u single friend in
this county, outside my own family,
who would care a d~n, if I were to
be killed tomorrow; but, for all this
they are afraid Of Kirby, and dare not
defy him. If you, and the lawyers, will
hand this county seat matter over to me,
1 will see it put through successfully.''
''All right, Kirby, go ahead" was the
answer. Kirby had number of hand
bills struck off, indicating that on a
certain date he would address the voters
of the county. lie appointed meetings
in every fOur-corners, hamlet and WILL
age. lie sent these bills to the house
of every voter in that part Of the conrt.v
which he wanted to set off to form 4
new one. AS the bills were delivered
by "kirby's men" and in Kirbv's
name, it was plainly understood by
each recipient as an or,ier from Kirby to
lie present at the meeting. Very few
persons had tie courage to disregard
Such an or,.cr from such a source and
tAe result was, everybody turned out
20 hear the dictator, who simply stated
the object Of the meeting, and requested
every person present to sign petition
TOR creating il new county, AID they
signed it, to q man. These petitions,
containing the unanimous, free un-
trammeled opinion OF the voters" of
the townships interested, were taken to
the legislature, and the prayer Of tile
citizens was granted, the county vas
divided, and the American eagle once
more went to roost. And yet Kirby
was not happy. n few miles from
owned Il valuable ''niSger." The letter
was a good mechanic, and had been
hired out to Kirby Oh several occasions,
lie sent one Of lis ''nlen y to the sllv, s
master with an offer OF 81, 200 for the
chattel. This Offer b ing declined, t,
persistent Kirby add, Il ) 100. and again
sent the MT ssrngcr for the "lAiyytr.''
Again the owner refused, and cliMched
his refusal by saying, Tell Kirby do
not wish to sell Tie man 1T any price"
knhy sent t!1r messenger u third time,
W.T. !, ,1,.,. , I Iii
On k!rly'> part provoked the ''boy's u
master. WAC said to his agent, Say to
kilhS t!tat lie i:;:S not money enough
to buy the saai,, and if I had price for
him, k;rly should not OWN him any
way, if IcnuId help It - hirhy's bull
dozcr answered, ''Ntll. advise you to
sell him; Kirby has set his heart on him,
and it will! lr unsafe for you to stand in
the way.' From that day tie slaves
master WAS made to feel that he could
not dwell in the saline county with his;
enemy. He WAS insuittu Ivy day and
shot at Ivy night by some of kirby's
men, and given to understand that
Kirby would "ShOOt him on sight.'
Hence he never went into public with
out carrying his electioneerng docu-
ments. One day he met Kirby in Hem
stead, and the latter happened to be
unarmcd. Kirby did not realize the
situation till he looked up and SAW Il Six
shooter about to issue Il "Search WAL
rant" for his brains. lie instantly
thrust another man i'll front Of hun,
and was saved by the human shield,
as the bullet intended for Kirby WAS
lodged in the forehead Of an Innocent
third part. Kirby then had his enemy
arrested and tried for granddaughter.
n lawyer named Gray was retained by
the defense. after Gray had taken the
case he was approached one day by one
of kirby's men," who inquired of him
how much he expected to receive for
defending The prisoner. The answer
WAS, "That is u matter between N.Y.
self and client. Why do you ask?''
''Because Kirby told me to say that
he will pay you double the fee to drop
HIM." ''Say to Mr.. Kirby that he is
not rich enough to bride NE to betray
u Client" This was sufficient for
Kirby. lie had been delicd, and the
man who delird him ''must go.' Mr..
Gray finally discovered that he must
either leave IltmStrau, or that he or
gentle Kirby must die. On his family's
account, and beng /; man Of some cul-
tnre and refinement, he ut last decided
to leave town and open 4 law Office iii
Houston, some fifty miles south Of Hem
stead. after u few months residence
and lucrative practice there, he was in
formed one morning, while walking
past the office of brother lawyer, that
Kirby was in the city, armed to the
teeth, looking for him and openly pro-
claiming that he ''came all the way
from Uemstead to shoot Gray.D Mr.
Gray, not Hooking for company," was
unarmed, but his brother lawyer said:
"Mr. Gray, step into my Office and get
my six-shooter. and go for the scound-
rel. 1t is your only chance for life."
Gray took the advice, and just as he
emerged from the office, lie saw Kirby,
less then half block away, about to
enter a large store in search Of his prey,
not having discovered that the pursued
had become the pursuer, ard was close
hal y i