The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-01
WY q Mans Hair Suddenly Turned
White.
little Rock lark J Gazette.J

Lizzie kock tArk 0dhelte.J
Mr.. Slocum yesterday attracted the at
tention OF Gazette man. He was young
man, and only one thing distinguished him
in any special manner from many other
young men on the street. His hair was
white as the driven snow. The Gazette re-
porter inquired the cause OF the color, and
he said:
ga terrible experience caused my hair to
change Its color, and cannot yet speak OF
it without shudderiDg. However, l have
no objection to relating the circumstances"
"Wbat was the original color Of your
hair, Mr.. Slocum?"
"Jet black. i will give you my expe-
rieDce. have been a revenue collector for
several years. Eight years ago, in the sum-
mer Of 1872, was obliged to make trip
through Western Arkansas. There were
rough characters out there--men who
would steal the shoes of your borse's feet
when they could get nothing else; outlaws
who were stepped in crime, and hesitated at
nothing. In the course OF my trip reach
ed q district In which were several cbarac-
tiers who for deeds OF crime had attracted
the attention OF the whole State, but the
authorities were unable to apprehend them.
! had quite q large sum OF money with me.
feared nothing in those days. Afterbeing
one morning in small village near Little
river, and receiving $3.50, / started out on
horseback north toward Fort Smith. / had
about 81, 100 in my saddle-bags, and was
little bit nervous TO get ii safe to that place.
/ had seen nothing to make me suspect that
/ was not safe. The sun sbone brightly,
end the heat was somewhat oppressive.
AS it grew later in the dayI 1t became so
warm that thought should rest.
"Coming to the banks OF Little river 1
forded 1t and clambered up the steep
northern bank. Jumping of my horse L
tied him under clump Of trees aud sought
the grateful shade OF an elm that grew near
the river bank. had carried my saddle
bags with me, and making pillow Of them,
Law down. Two reyolvers were In the
holster. I fell asleep, and do not know how
long l slept, but suddenly awOke to find
three men standing near me. Regardless
of consequences, i seized one OF my re-
yolyers and pegged away, hitting one Of
them In the shoulder and disabling him.
The other two grappled me. One Of them
made a pass at me with knife, but
lodged it and hit him on the head with my
pistol, knocking him senseless. The other
closed with me and we had struggle.
Biting, scratching, and kicking, we tried 10
vain to throw each other down. / had
dropped my pistol. My horse whined from
fright and it began to grow dark. To my
dying day / will not forget that fight. 1t
was death to one or the other. had recog-
nized 10 my sssailant Bill Buckle, notori-
Gus character. Desperately we fought,
edglng nearer the river. The bank crum.
bed suddenly behind me and toppled
over back ward, dragging Buckle with me.
His bead hit root In the fall, and he was
stunned for moment. Scrambling as well
as could to my horse, i got my saddle
bags and rode awey, the disabled rascal
shaking bis fist at me IS went. ran
across negro's hut before II got dark, and
remained all night, expecting an attack,
but resolving to sell my life as dearly as
possible. None came. In the morning the
darby woman living in the cabin said {:
Massa. your hair Is white And sure
enough II was, and has been ever since.
The shock to my nervous system had been
more than had imagined. never heard
OF the men aiterward. and was more than
glad that escaped rs luckily as did,"