The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-04-11
A STORY OF THE PLAINS.

Jack SlaQe was one OI Lnc IlOS
remarkable men who ever lived OF
the plains of the West. A strang'
admixture of ferocity, kind hearted
ness, daring and politeness, his
character was one nobody could un
derstand. All feared and many loved
him.
Slade was born in Illinois, of qui
ct and respectable parents, and was
raised on farm. When abou
twenty-six years of age he had
quarrel with a man, and in a ii
of uncomfortable anger shot him.
He then fled West, and at st. 10
seph, Mo-, Joined an overland train
His courage, address and ability
soon brought him to the head of the
train, and he was made train mas
ter.
One day he quarreled with the
driver ofone of the wagons and both
men drew their revolvers, but the
driver was first, and covering Slade
declared that he would shoot him
dead if he stirred.
Slade said it was pity they
should waste life about so trifi!ng 6
matter, and proposed to the teamstel
that they should throw away theil
revolvers and fight it out with the
fists.
The unsuspecting driver threw
his revolver on the ground. wheF
Slade, laughing at him for his sim
plicity, shot him.
The authorities of Illinois sent {
sheriff after Slade and he fed intt
the Rocky Mountains, and there en-
gagged in killing Indians. In ont
battle he killed three savages witt
his own hand, cut of their heads
and sent them to the chief of theil
tribe.
He soon gained a wide notoriety
for courage, and the horse thieves
and desperadoes having become
quite bad on the overland stag
road, the company employed Sladt
to hunt them down.
He was made a division superin
tendent, and stationed in the Rocky
Mountains. 1t was not long until ;
desperate who was suspected of be
| ing horse thief aired his insolenc,
before Gentleman Jack " as he wa
called, when Slade rose and killet
him withouta a word.
So great terror had Slade becom
to the horse-thieves that, no matte
whose horse was stolen, the overland
stage company's animals were neve
touched.
Having restored order on hi
division, Jack was semitic anothe
further East. Here he relieved
man named Jules, who was ineffi
cient.
Jules hated Slade because he ha'
superseded him, and it was not lon
before the men fell out. War wa
declared, and they watched for eacI
other.
Jules, seeing Slade coming dow
the street, hid behind the door of
store and poured the contents of
shotgun into his enemy, Slad
returning the fire with his re
volver.
i Both men were badly wounded
and for a long time confined to thei
beds. Jules recovered first and fle
to the mountains, Slade havin
declared that he would kill bir
as soon as he was able to be on hi
| feet.
For a long time the men did nc
hear of each other, but one da
Slade. learning that Jules was in
mining.camp, offered reward 70
him. Some of Slade's minions cap
tured Jules, who was an old mar
and brought him to Shades house
Jack tied him to a post in the bacl
yard and left him there all night
the weather being quite cold.
In the morning he went out ant
amused himself by making a shoot
ing mark of Jules. He wounded
the old man purposely in severa
places, until he begged Slade to xii
him, which he did by shooting hin
through the head.
Hearing one day two men hat
stolen one of his horses be followet
them, caught them and hanged then
with his own hands.
On one occasion some despera
does took the stock of a few poo
emigrants, who complained to Slad
of the outrage. Slade, hearing tha
the desperadoes were at a house nea
by took a single companion, rode t.
the rancho, and. bursting in the doc
commenced firing, killing three ant
wounding the fourth.
On the road Elade was absolutel.
master, and his word was law. H
was addicted to drinking, and whel
in liquor was very ugly. One da,
| in a drunken fit he killed the fathe
of q little boy. and his feelings of re
-o~o v,sf;o h1o IN sno Hewor