Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
White I'm a single Nfght.

Mr.. Slocum was a young man, and
only one thing distinguished him in
any special manner from many other
young men on the streets. His hair
was white as the driven snow. A re-
porter inquired the cause of the color,
and he said:-
"a terrible experience caused my
hair to change its color, and 1 cannot
yet speak of it without shuddering.
However, have no objection to rela-
ting the circumstances"
"what was the original color of your
hair, Mr.. Slocum?"
'-Jet black. / will give you my ex-
perience. i have been a revenue col
leetor for several years. Eight years
ago, in the summer of 1872, l was
Obliged to make trip through western
Arkansas There were rough charac-
tiers out there; men who would steal
the shoes off your horses feet when
they could get nothing else; outlaws
who were stepped in crime and hesita-
ted at nothing. In the course of my
trip | reached district in which were
several characters who for deeds of
crime had attracted the attention of the
whele State, but the authorities were
unable to apprehend them. / had
cutie large sum of money with me.
feared nothing IN those days. After
being one NOR ming in small village
near Little River, and receiving $50
L started out on horseback north toward
Fort Smith. / had about $l700 In my
saddle-bags and was little bit nervous
to get it safe to that place. had seen
nothing to make me suspect that L was
not safe. The sun shone brightly and
the heat was somewhat oppressive.
As it grew later in the day it became
so warm that | thought l should rest.
Coming 10 the banks of Little River, /
forded it and clambered up the steep
northern bank. Jumping off my horse
L tied him under clump of trees and
sought the grateful shade Of an elm
that grew near the river bank.
had carried my saddle bags with me
and makinga pillow of them, lay down
Two revolvers were in the holster. L
fell asleep, and do not know how long L
slept, but suddenly awoke TO ind three
men standing near me. Regardless OF
consequences, seized one of my revol-
vers and pegged away, hitting one OF
them in the shoulder and disabling
him. One of them made pass at me
with a knife, but l lodged it and hit
him on the head with my pistol, knock
ing him senseless. The other closed
with me and we had struggle. Bit
ing. scratching and kicking, We tried
in vain TO throw each other down. l
had dropped my pistol. Ny horse
whined from fright and it began 10
grow dark. To my dying day L will
not forget that fight. 1t was death to
one or the other. l hal recognized In
nv assailant Bill Buckle, a notorious
character. Desperately We fought,
edging nearer the river. The b?nk
crumbled suddenly behind Inc and l
toppled over backward, dragging
Buckle with me, His head hit root
in the fall, and he was stunned for a
moment. Scrambling as well as |
could to my horse, got my saddle-bags
and rode away. the disabled rascal
shaking his fist at me as | went. | ran
across a negro's hut before it got dark,
and remained all night, expecting an
attack, but resolved to sell my life as
dearly as possible. None came. In
the morning the darky woman living
in the cabin said: "Masss, your hair
is white" And sure enough it was,
and has been ever since. The shock 10
my nervous system had been more than
| imagined. | never heard of the meu
afterw:rd, and was more than glad
that ! escaped as luckily as | did,
Little Rock, (Ark.) Gazette.