Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-07
ANARROw ESCAPE.
How They DO Things In Lebanon
A Drummer's story.
Texas sinings.

A man signing himself Washington
Hinkley, writes us letter from Leb.
anon, Tenn. He states in his letter
that he enjoys poor health, and would
like very much to come to Texas to
build up his shattered constitution. as
he has heard a great deal about the
excellence OF our balmy climate, but
that he is deferred from coming on
account Of the lawlessness and
crime. Now, we do not like to saw
anything that is unpleasant to man
in the enjoyment Of poor health, but
We must say, that while there is al
most as much lawlessness as there is
in Chicago, Texas cannot compete
with Tennessee when it comes to inse-
curity Of life and property. 1t is lust
affcctation on the part OF that Tennes-
see man to attempt to make out the
man who has lived in that State for
a number OF years is afraid to come to
Texas on account Of lawlessness.
Not long since drummer, who was
detained for few days in that very
town OF Lebanon, gave us an account
OF how he amused himself while he
was there. The lock Of his gripsack
needed repairs, and be took it to a
gunsmith to have it repaired, The
drummer was sitting behind the
counter, when a leading citizen entered
with a gun, which he threw on the
counter with great indignation. If
the drummer had been before the
counter he might have had the gun
thrown down on him. But we an.
tioipate:
w hat do you mean by giving me
this kind OF gun when 90 out for A
little shOOting2" demanded the leading
citizen.
why, Colonel, that gun is the new,
est patent breeCh loader, replied the
gunsmith.
Then, your powder is no account"
Colonel, | loaded that gun myself
and put in the best powder in the
shop"
well, all know is that | had to
shoot twice at Major McPelter before
he keeled over. That's the only time
I've failed to bring my man down with
the first barrel. killed my brother.
ln-law, Judge Smith, and his nephew.
Sam Kandle, at one shot at seventy
hive yards, and neither of EN- kicked.
and only three days ago | dropped )
book agent in his tracks. There must
be something wrong about that gun.
l feel the disgrace keenly of having to
shoot twice at one man"
II don't understand it, repled the
gunmskeT, meditatively, as he exam
lned the weapon. 1t is the same gun
Bob White plugged the City Marshal
with, last week, and Bob is not much
OF shot. He hadn't shot a man for
six weeks before that, and was out OF
practice, but he fetched this man all
the same"
VI don't think you put in enough
powder. When l go to the inouest.
which will be in half an haur, said
the Colonel, looking at his watch,
IN count the bullet holes in the
Majors body. | am sure | hit him
the FIRST shot, but | think there wasnt
powder enough in the gun to drive the
bullets through his body"
VI wish you would count the bullet
holes, because you see, Colonel, Won
are known as a good shot, and il will
look like reflection on me and nv
guns. 1t is we'll calculated to iniuye
NE With my customers, who are the
best people in town. | tell You what
l wish you would do, Colonel, | wish
you would give this gun another
The Colonel rubbed his chin and
replied;
u would like to do it for nv own
satisfaction, but can't remember
just now Of anybody having insulted
me lately. | haven't got a living
man to shoot. Maj. McPelter was
the last one on the list. | wish some.
body would dispute my word Per>
haps you feel touched by something l
may have said"
20, no, Colonel; you are right about
the gun, responded the gunsmith.
Il thought perhaps yeu found
something personal in my remarks
about the gun.
Not bit OF it."
Then perhaps you have some enc
my who has been exasperating you.
1t 80, said the Colonel, putting a
cartridge in the gun, 1 will try the
gun before go to the inquest"
The gunsmith pondeIed over the
proposition, and finally said:
II wish | hadn't shot the rival gun
smith over tho way day before yester-
day. lie would have come in handy
now il he hadn't died. poor fellow
Just when be did. | might insult Bill
Tompklna aud shoot him, but he gets
his ammunition here, and ALWAYS navs
for It, 80 it don't look right to shoot I
him of hand"
Thetwo men we're very much puzzled /
how to hnd a victim. They suggested /
several names but there seemed To
DO some good reason why each and /
every one OF them should not be sac
ri6ced,
All at once the drummer saw the |
gunsmith wink at the Colonel, and
point with his thumb behind the coun-
tor IN his direction. Before the Colonel
could catch on the terrified drummer
slid out through the side door and
made good his escape.
This is the story the drummer told
us and, from what we read 10 Tennes-
ses papers about shooting scrapes, we
believe every word Of It. II our cors
respondent IS spared to come TO Texas
bis life will be safer than il has LeeA
for long time,