The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-03-07
DIED WITH HIS BOOTS ON.

heard the murdered man often make, that he
expected ''to die with his boots on, as that
was the fate of most cowboys, and also calls
up some tragic incidents in the unfortunate
mans life. Physically, Hamlin was big lit
/ tie man. He was not above feet 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
was more fearless. He seemed to feel that no
man could get away with him in fair en-
counter, yet he was not quarrelsome. He
would even take good deal of abuse from a
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 de-
coyed into the rear room of saloon in Sid
ney, where bully pulled revolver on him
before he knew what was wanted of him in
the ROOM Quicker than flash he knocked
the pistol out of the bullys hand with his fist,
and at the same time drew his own gun.
Looking the bully in the eye he said: g You
coward and sneak, you intended killing me
without giving me a chance for my life,
didn't you? You see have you in my power,
but will give you your worthless life this
time, but l give you due warning that the
next time you make move toward me of
this kind l will not spare you" At this he
turned and left the covering, quaking bully
in the room.
At another time he was throwing dice with
Buffalo Bill in Dave Perrys saloon in Platte,
when some dispute arose between them, but
which was decided by a referee in Hamlins
favor Hamlin said, "Lets take beer and
call it settled" 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
quick dodge of the intended victim. At the
same time Bill threw the glass he sprang like
a tiger upon Hamlin, but his staunch little
victim was ready for him, and quicker than it
takes to tell it, threw his big antagonist in
heap on the floor and held him there until
others interfered 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 take it. Hamlin saw the
proceeding, and denounced it as a low cow
ardly attempt on the part of Perry to assassi-
nate 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 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 Hamlin 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
dead to skin" Bill knew Hamlin meant
what he said, and was able to do it, and never
afterward gave him any cause for resentment
To illustrate the bulldog courage of Ham
lin we need only to refer to one or two Incl
dents in his border life. On one occasion he
was attacked by Mexican in McCartys sa-
loon in Sidney, who commenced cutting at
Hamlin without any good cause, and when
Hamlin was not aware of his vicious purpose
Hamlin 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
into the canyons south of Sidney Here the
''rustlers took refuge behind rocks and
dirt, and defied the 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
'camp on the 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