Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-09-08
The Story Teller.
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.

of rendezvous for Indian traders, and all
sorts of adventures who found it necessary to
change their domicle from lands governed
BY the administration of rigid CODE The
half breed "braves" of the Cherokee nation al
so hocked to the same site, to drink, carouse,
take hand at cards, and exhibit their PROV
ess in sanguinary "setto's" with pistols and
long knives Such a state of society may be
imagned-it cannot be described. Not a
sun performed its circuit that did not witness
some dreadful single combat with or without
murderous weapons, while now and then doz-
ems at a time, and by mutual agreement,
marched from the rumshops out on the pub
lie square and engaged in mortal strife.
At this time, Thomas A. Myers emigrated
to Arkansas, and opened large grocery at
Van Buren,, acting himself as keeper and re.
taller. Such an occupation at that time re-
uuired man of the most determined courage,
as the store had always a back room or shed
attached, especially appropriated to gambling,
both by day and by night, and where the
players were supplied with the choicest liquors
1T the bar, and would be sure to bully the
grocer out of his reasonable charges, unless
restrained by fear.
For awhile, however, Myers succeeded ad-
mirably. The half breeds, loafers and "char-
tered fighters as they were called, held a
caucus, and unanimously voted that the new
arrival was dangerous subject and had bet.
ter be left alone This verdict was altogeth
er erowing to the strangers personal appearance,
which was as military as might be conceived.
Tall. manly, and symmetrical in shape, with
great endowments both in strength and agil-
L IL L oo,,1c in tho
of naked nature But by the coming invention
of art-iron, steel and lead, and the thunder
and lightning of gunpowder, are made to
fight for the feeblest bosoms and thus dwarfs
and giants, provided both are alike the heirs
of true courage, now stand on the same dead
level. It was believed also that Myers pos
sessed the resolute will to handle these awful
engines of destruction where life and death
hung on the touch of trigger. His counte
nance betokened the perfection of bravery.
His face wore generally stern expression,
and when that melted into a smile, the smile
seemed sterner still. His eyes were exceed
ingly black, wild, penetrating and restless,
and had that cold, cleaning, metallic look,
which may be regarded as the surest sign of
desperation. Besides, he carried an appall-
ing supply of pistols, and bowie knife four
teen inches in the blade. Hence, everybody
was respectful and obliging to the ostensble
hero for the period of several weeks, during
which an unusual calm reigued in the village.
At length terrible affray occurred at N.Y.
.ers' grocery. Half dozen firearms explo
ded IN quick succession, and the deafening
roar so frightened the keeper that he took to
his heels and fled from his establishment
The fact settled public opinion as to his CHAR
acter.
"What chicken. hearted coward, to run
from his own CASTLE" exclaimed Gen. Cole,
the Napoleon of frontier dueists and gam
blers.
"Why he hasn't the spunk Of dead pos
sum-" lisped Bill Greene, the dandy loafer,
combing his "soap-locks" with his long rusty
nails.
Lets drink his liquor, and smoke his ci
gars, and not pay for them. because as now
he's coward" said Jack Warhawk, huge
half breed, and having enunciated this speci.
men of genuine Cherokee logic, Jack leaped
over the counter and began to 6ll glasses and
hand out cigars, crying-"Toast to the brave,
my boys. We will never want while the
world has chickens of the white feather"
The firing in the grocery having ceased
for more than an hour, being replaced by a
din of the most boisterous m;rth, Myers, by
great effort, mustered the spirit to return.
He found the customers helping themselves
with vengeance, and thought to overcome
them by the assumption of heroic airs. He
snatched his revolver from his pockets and
pointing it at Warhawk's breast, sternly or
dered him to leave the house.
IF that's what you're arter," shouted Jack,
unsheathing his bowie, and springlng back
over the counter, "here's what will give you
ladle FULL
Myers still kept the revolver presented,
but his hand shook like leaf in the tenn
pest, and his very feet involuntarily retreated
backwards by short, quivering steps. The
two feelings, physical fear and moral cour-
age, were struggling for the mastery. He
was endeavoring to act bravely; but his
nerves refused their concurrence, and he re-
mained, so to speak, in equipoise, totally in
capable of acting at all. He was impotent
to fight, and as powerless to fly.
There was no such hesitation in the conduct
of Jack Warhawk. Brandishing his knife
with his right hand, he seized the flowing locks
Of Meyers in the left, and roared at the top
of his voice
down, coward, down upon your marrow
bones or by the blue blazes I'll cut your
throat"
Incredible as it may seem, Meyers still
holding his deadly revolver, loaded with SIX
rounds covered to the floor, like beaten
hound, and begged most piteousl y for his life,
prayer which the mocking hafbreed grant
ed, on condition that he would treat the crowd
for a week.
From that time the unfortunate Myers was
subject to every species of insult and outrage.
The loafers would pull his nose for mere
amusement; the halfbreeds would spit in his
face to make him treat, aud Gen. Cole, when
intoxicated, would strike him with his cane,
to cure him of his cowardice, he said. The
poor grocery keeper brooked all these gross
indignities with the patience of martyr, and
would meeklv demonstrate.
"Gentlemen, it is ungenerous to abuse me
thus, for confess | have no courage-l can
not fight"
This continued for a whole year, when a
change occurred that caused the insulters to
rue their ignoble prosecutions He had a
beautiful wife, whom he loved with tenderest
passion. One day when the husband was alb.
sent, the hideous half breed, Jack Warhawk,
instigated to the damning deed by the persua,
sons of General Cole, went to the grocery
keepers private residence, and ma.treated his
lady in tho noost sham amploSs manner.