Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-02-07
DIED WITH ms BOOTS on.
Tragic Incidents I'm the Life of u TYP
ical Nebraska Cowboy.

.
tine, Neb., ended the career Of a remark
able man, and recalled to a Grand Island
Neb.) Times writer prediction he heard
the murdered man often make, that he
expected ito die with his boots on, as
that was the fate of most cowboys, and
also called up these tragic incidents in
the unfortunate mans life:
Physically, Hamlin was a big little man
He was not above five feet four inches in
height, yet his average weight was ITO
pounds. He was symmetrical, too in his
outline, thus showing how solidly he was
built. Few men were more active and
none were more fearless. He seemed to
feel that no man could get away with
him in fair encounter, yet he was not
quarrelsome. He would even take deal
of abuse from man, especially if the man
was in liquor. To illustrate this fact we
need only to refer to two incidents in his
life Once he was decoyed into the rear
room Of saloon in Sidney where bully
pulled a revolver on him before he knew
what was wanted of him in The room.
Quicker than fash he knocked the pis-
tol out of the bully's hand with his fist
and at the same time drew his own gun.
Looking the bully in the eye he said
''You coward and sneak, you intended
to kill me without giving me chance for
my life, didn't you? You see have you
in my power, but I will give you your
worthless life this time. but / give you
due warning that the next time you make
a move toward me of this kind will not
spare you" At this he turned and left
the covering, quaking bully in the room.
At another time he vas throwing dice
with Buffalo Bill in Dave Perry's saloon
in North Platte when some dispute arose
between them, but which was decided by
a referee in Hamlin's favor. Hamlin said,
"Lets take the beer and call it settled. y
The party stepped to the bar and took
beer. When Buffalo Bill had drank his
beer, instead of setting the glass down
he threw it at Hamlin, just missing his
head by a quick dodge of his intended
victim. AT the same time Bill threw the
glass he sprang like tiger upon Hamlin,
but his stanch little victim was ready for
him, and quicker than it takes to tell it
threw his big antagonist in a heap on the
floor and held him there until others in
terfered and the two were separated.
When Bill had got up Dave Perry slipped
around where he was standing near the
bar and offered him bowie-knife. Bill
was too much Of man to takeit. Ham
lin saw the proceeding and denounced it
as low, cowardly attempt on the part
of Perry to assassinate him. He told
Perry that he deserved to be shot down
like the dirty dog he was and dared him
to take the knife or pistol and attempt
to use it on him. Perry was afraid to do
it. He then told Buffalo Bill that he was
surprised at his conduct and he could see
no excuse for his throwing the glass. At
this Hamin went up to Bill and laying
his finger almost on Bills nose, said !:
"Bill, if you ever make break like that
on me again will kill you too dead to
skin. ;" Bill knew Hamlin meant what
he said and was able to do it and never
afterward gave him any cause for resent
ment.
To illustrate the bulldog courage of
Hamlin we need only to refer to one or
two incidents in his border life. On one
occasion he was attacked by Mexican
in McCarty's saloon in Sidney, who com
menced cutting at Hamlin without any
good cause, and when HamIin was not
aware of his vicious purpose. HamIin
sprang backward and received a scratch
from the sharp knife of his assailant.
The Mexican followed up, and continued
striking with his knife. By the time he
got up to Hamlin the latter was ready
for him, and commenced cutting too.
Thus they knitted each other, cutting and
slashing each other in manner to chill
the blood Of the most desperate. Finally,
however, Hamlin drove his murderous
antagonist toward the door, out of the
door and across the street, where the
Mexican fell, literally cut to pieces.
Hamlin received several bad cuts, but
paid no attention to them, and was around
the next day as if nothing had happened.
Another time he pursued three horse
thieves in the canyons south of Sidney.
Here the ''rustlers" took refuge behind
rocks and dirt and defed their pursuer.
Hamlin stayed with them all day and
all night, and the next day he got
a shot at the head Of one Of the
thieves and killed him. He continued
to scamp on their trail'' until another
one made an attempt to go down to
the bottom of the canyon for water,
when he got another shot, this time
wounding his man in the shoulder. At
this the other thief made break and
tried to escape, when he, too, was
brought down. Hamlin went up and
put all three Of the men on their horses,
strapped them on, and with fifteen head
of stolen horses which he recaptured,
took the whole outfit back to Sidney.
During all this time he was without
food, and had only little surface water
to drink. This shows something of the
bravery and persistence of the man.
He was thoroughly posted in the cattle
business and knew nearly every Colorado,
Wyoming and Nebraska brand at sight.