The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-03
Old Reese.

lime in 1874 and renewed the acquaint-
ance yesterday. He is the typical Texas
bad man, and his record as SLAYER of
his fellow men extends over period of
twenty-five years. The first time l met
him was in a casino here. A Mexican
ball was in full blast. all the games were
running, and business at the bar was
fiourishing. Suddenly hush fell upon
the room, the dance stopped, the gam
blers ceased playing, and the freshly
ordered drinks remained untouched. /
looked around to learn the cause of this
unusual quiet and saw "Old Reese"
standing in the doorway. had never
met him before, but at once recognized
him from descriptions given me by his
admirers. He did not look the des-
perado. His eyes were blue and large.
He had dimpled chin and his mouth,
although firm and resolute, was guarded
by full, red lips, and the under one
drcoped, which is, according to ply
siognsmists, sure indication of weak
ness in a woman and effeminacy in a
man. Contrary to the usual fashion on
the froatier, his hair was cut close, and
it absolutely curled. He was dressed
very quietly in sober black, and aside
from the rakish sombrero which shroud-
ed his face might have passed for an in
dolent divinity student with more soul
for things carnal than spiritual. He
stood in the doorway for q minute and
then advanced into the center OF the
room. His blue eyes roamed around
the apartment, and finally rested on a
long-haired fellow sitting at one of the
monte tables. They burned now with
a new fire, and cruel line closed about
his mouth. The long-haired fellow
shifted about uncomfOrtably but did
not offer to draw one of the numerous
six-shooters which bristled in his belt.
Finally "Old Reese" spoke, enunciating
his words slowly and with great dis
tinctness.
"Sam Sturgis," he said, and the long
haired fellow started. IF l thought
YOU were half the man you claim to be
1 would kill you where you sit" He
paused moment and then continued:
..When 1 kill man want him to be a
good one. You are a 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 bra
vado in his way of making it. One
could see that he meant what he said,
and the long-haired fellow seemed to
be SO 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.
"Gitr' he said. .'And if you don't
want me to forget myself and kill a
coward never get in my way"
The long-haired fellow rose to his
feet and skunk away. His master s eye
followed 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 well 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 10 decline his invita-
ton. noticed that he drank only water
himself, and the friend who introduced
us afterwa-d told me that Old Reese
was strictly temperate.
"He has no small vices" said this adj
mirer. .'He neither drinks, chews,
smokes nor curses, but if you think he
amt old blazes on the shoot just try
him once
I had long conversation with him
that night, and the more 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 himself aud his many daring
deeds with great deal of diffidence and
laodesty. His friend gave me the his
tory of his trouble with the long-haired
fellow.
..Sturgis is gambler" he said, land
when he first came here everybody was
settlement 'Old Reese was away then.
He came back here about two months
ago. The day hereturned he was pass
ing along the street, when he met a
little boy crying. Old Reese is very
fond of children and they all like him.
He picked the little fellow up. dried his
tears and inquired the cause of his
trouble. Between his sobs the boy told
his story. He was the only son OF a
poor widow woman who lives down by
the river and does washing for the
gamblers. Early in the spring Sam
Sturgis had employed him to attend to
his horse, promising to pay him two
dollars week for his services. Glad
to be able to help his mother, the little
fellow took charge OF the gamblers
caballo and groomed and fed him for
sixteen weeks. Then sturgis sold the
animal and his services were no longer
required. He had just been in to ask
Sturgis for his pay, and the gambler
had not only not paid him. but had
pitched him out of the casino.
.'.He kicked you, did he?" said
Reese, and those blue eyes of his
snapped.
".Yes, sir, faltered the boy.
"'And he won't pay youyourmoney?
".No, SIR whimpered the boy; and
mother needs it
so think he'll pay answered Reese.
you run right home, now, and I'll be
down to see you presently and bring
the money.
"Sturgis was pretty flush then and
was running big game: Old Reese
went down to see him. Well, sir, it 5
only about week ago that he recovered
from that interview and was able to be
about"
"Old Reese walked into the saloon,
called for pen and paper and made out
the following bill:
LARsDo, Texas. Aug. 4, ISL.
SAM STURiIS,
To TIE WIDOW WnIrE's KID, DR..
To herding pony ID weeks, at 81 per
week Ssh~ W
his money i. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 80 90
To cost of collection 50 %