The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-07-27
BLOOD Of AND THUNDER,

S,Rttis itt 81 b III Il ~ AssS el. -4ss
Stunning Texas Yarns-Old Reese
A Friend Of the Bandits and .
Mas Always Ready to Shoot-His
Trouble With A Gambler-A Lit.
tie Bill That Was Squared-A Very
Bad Mans Story.
Texas Correspondence of the Phil, Times.
S.'I met "Old Reese" here for the first
in 1874 and renewed the acquaintance
yesterday. I thought him dead long
ago. He is the typical Texas bad man and
his record as slayer of his fellow-men
extends over period of twenty-five
years. Only once has he been in prison
for these killings, but then only for
few months. Although his enemies are
legion he has also many powerful friends,
and they stand by him whenever he gets
into difficulty. His history for the last
quarter ola century ifwritten out would
fill several good-sized volumes and be
more interesting in blcod-and.thun-
der sense than the average dime
novel.
"Old Reese" was born in Kentucky
and is now man Of tifty-ive or there
all ..t.. He was one of Quantrell's men
during the late unpleasantness and rode
with that doughty guerilla until the bit
ter end. He knew Frank and Jesse
James; kept up his friendship for the
latter until his death and Is still Franks
big man. I am afraid those two chaps
of doubtful heroism-the Ford boys
would meet with rough treatment if
they should ever cross the path of "Old
Reese When I first met ''Old Reese
Texas was full of bad men. They were
divided into three classes. There was
the fugitive from justice. whom necessity
ruled the outlawed robber, ruled by
circumstances, and the rustler, who
knew no rule, but killed men simply to
s'see them kick" John Wesley Hardin,
now in the penitentiary, and the sub
ject Of this sketch were men of the lat
ter class. Sam Bass and his lieutenant,
"Arkansaw Johnson" were fair repre-
sentatives of the middle class. The first
mentioned produce no 'stinguished ex-
ample. They were the larger class and
killed men only to save their own lives.
Sam Bass never took human life unless
Reese" is one of the shoot at-the-top Of
men.
The first time l met him the following
incident occurred: I was in casino here,
kept at that time by discharged soldier
named Nunnclly. A bale Of Mexican
ball, was in full blast, all the games were
running and business at the bar was
hourishing. Suddenly a hush fell upon
the room, the dance stopped, the gamb-
lers ceased playing and the freshly
ordered drinks remained untouched I
looked around to learn the cause of this
unusual quiet and saw cold Reese"
standing ih the doorway. I had never
met him before, but at once recog-
nized him from descriptions given me
by his admirers. He did not look the
desperate. His eyes were blue. large
and sensuous. He had d dimpled chin
and his mouth, although firm and reso-
lutte, was guarded by full, red lips, and
the under one dropped, which is, accord
inr 10 physiognoinists,a sure indication
in man. Contrary to the usual fashion
on the frontier his hair was cut close
and itabso!utely curled. He was dressed
very quietly in sober black, and
aside from the rakish sombrero which
shrouded his face might have passed
for an indolent divinity student, with
more soul for things carnsl than
spiritual. He stood in the doorway
Tor minute and then advanced int.
the centre of the room. His blue ewes
roamcd around the apartment and final
ly rested on long. haired fellow sitting
at ono o. the monte tables. They burr
ed now with new fire and cruel line
closed about his mouth. The long-haired
fellow shifted about uncomfortable, but
did not offer to draw one of the numer-
GUS six.shooters which bristled in his
belt. Finally cold Reese" spoke, enun-
ciating his words slowly and with great
dis,inctness.
'sSam Sturgis, ne saiu, and the long
haired fellow started. "if thought YOU
we're half the man you Claim to be
would kill you where you sit" He
paused ~ moment and then continued:
'W hen l kill man want him to be
good one. You are dirty thief and
contemplate coward to sit there and
take it,
There. was nothing Of the bully in
this declaration, or rather there was no
bravas]o in lis way of making it. One
could see that he meant what he said
and the long haired fellow seemed to be
80 convinced, for he never raised his
eyes and his hands hung listless by his
side. He rested uncomfortably under
the steady blaze of "Old Reese's" eyes,
however, and finally raised his head.
Old Reese pointed to the door.
"Git!" he said. "And if you don't
want me to forget myself and kill cow
ard never get in my way"
The long haired fellow rose to his feet
and skunk away. His masters eye fol-
lowed him to the door and when it
closed behind him he walked to the bar
and invited everybody up to drink. All
responded, for it was we'll known that
old Reese considered it mortal insult
to refuse his hospitality and would be
pretty apt to shoot the man who was
reckless enough to decline his invitation.
noticed that he drank only water him.
self, and the friend who introduced us
afterwards told me that old Reese was
strictly temperate.
He has no small vices" said his adj
mirer. "He neither drinks, chews,
smokes nor curses; but if you think he
amt old hi on the shoot just try him
once"
1 had a long conversation with him
that night, and the more I saw of him
the better | liked him. He had a charm
ing manner, was good conversational
list, had read some, observed more, and
never talked shop" that is he spoke
about hi1nselfa and his many daring deeds
with great deal of difidence and mod
esty. His friend gave me the history of
ms trouble with the long-haired fellow.
"sturgis is gambler" lie said, sand
when he first came here everybody was
afraid of him, and he sorter run the
settlement. Old Reese was away then.
He came back here about two months
ago. The day be returned he was pass-
ing along the street, when he met q it,
tie boy crying. Old Reese is very fond
of childien and they all like him. He