The Opelousas courier., 1884-12-13
OLD %CORNSTALk.

The benson boys had committed a
foul murder, and the entire nelghbor-
hood was up in arms against them.
Jack Dover, the victim, had dared to
face the boys, and tell them that they
were infringing on his rights by pull
ing down his fence and allowing their
cattle to range in his field. For this
assumption he was shot down. The
Densons, four in number, fled to the
mountains. The governor issued a
proclamation, calling on all good citi-
gems to assist in their arrest. Men
turned loose their plow handles and
rallied to the support of the law. 1t
reminded one of the beginning of the
wal, when farmers suddenly became
soldiers. The posse was under the
command of Sheriff Guiding, a bold
man, who brought home three wounds
from Gettysburg, and among the aven-
gers was an old fellow named Corn
| stalk johnson. Why this name was
given him is not known, unless it be
the fact that he had but nj ear, and
it is said that a stalk of corn in the
Oak Flat neighborhood never bore but
n car. Cornstalk took with him an
old rifle which he declared was pre-
scented to his grandfather by Davy
Crockett. The neighbors held their
own opinions concerning the historic
cal value Of the gun, and some OF
them limited that he snipped' the rife
during the Brooks Baxter war, but as
every Que desired to be on good terms
with the old fellow, he was allowed to
have his own way.
It was known that the benson boys
had friends in the mountains. and
that a desperate resistance would be
made.
Quite a number of men who at first
were eager to serve the state, became
discouraged when the excitement had
died away, and finally Sheriff Guild
ing, just as the posse was entering the
mountain defles. stood high in his
stirrups, and exclaimed:
Il want you fellers to understand
one thing. There's going to be some
music round here. and a coward has
no business in this gang. Ii anybody
wants to go back, now's the time for
him to git"
The appelIation Of coward had eff
feet, and for a time no n was dis
posed to accept the humilitating terms
Of discharge. Finally, old Cornstalk
rode from the ranks, and $
II know as well as ! know ny name
that some O you fellers are skaered.
don't want to see no man hurt, an
some of you need a leader what is got
the moral backbona, Jis' let nj say.
Mr. Sheriff, that you al count me out
o. this here undertaken"
1Shame on himr' exclaimed several
voices. "Cowardl traitorl'
aCornstalk," said the sheriff, u
thought you would fight, but I see
YOU amt got 70 moro grit than g
worm. Go on back with your rake
handle that you stole during the
Brooks-Baxter fight, and don't never
speak to me no more"
IF ii want on SIGH q solemn occa.
sion,n replied old Cornstalk. I'D whur
We fur calm this old gun 9 rake-han.
die. an then airter yer sorter rekivered
verses I'd whup yer fur sayin' ! stold
hit"
Eyes; you've always got some ex-
cuse. Go on back and tell the Wimmin
folks that you'll tote water and make
fires for EN-
None of the murraurers now had
the courage to face the Indignation Of
the sheriff and his more determined
followers. and as they rode on, losing
sight of Cornstalk, no n dared to Ift
4 voice against the expedition. For !
time they proceeded in silence; the
clank OF the horses hoofs and the oc
casiora al splash Of water falling from
the grim rocks above were the only
sounds TO break the still quiet of the
rugged region Of solitude.
We've got 70 be mighty careful
along here, fellers,g said the sheriff
turning and looking over his men VIII
fled along the now steep pathway
Reaching 4 place of high prominence
lilo leader stopped 4 moment, ami