River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-03-19
A PLUCKY LAWYER
How He Tanned a Desperate Deputy
Marshal.

How He Tanned a Desperate Deputy
Marshal.
Louisville Times.
II was glad to see Judge Finley nc,
quilted, said an old lawyer in the Gus
tom house this morning. Finley is a
ine fellow; thorough partisan, it is
true, and of fiery passions, but as brave
as lion, a true friend and sincere
party man. / happened to know Finley
when he was district attorney. He had
his Office in this building, and really
believe that with but one except IN, he
didn't have a friend here. All the office.
holders were jealous of him. His one
friend was Col. Buckner, who was then
internal revenue collector. Col. Buckner
knew Finley and his father. lie served
in the legislature with one or both OF
them, and had great admiration foT
the manly qualities and warm heart Of
the Judge.
"At the time / speak of John Wyatt
was a deputy marshal Everybody
knows John Wyatt, the most recklessly
and desperately brave man that ever
pulled tigger. He was the terror Of
NIL the lawless spirits in the mountains
and was as daredevil n nan as even
breathed. don't know, and probably
40 one knows, how many men he
killed.
We'll, Jack Wyatt, for some reason
Dr. other, took dislike to the district
attorney which he took no pains 10
conceal. Finley said nothing and
Wyatt grew holder. One morning Fin
ley moved the court that Wyatt be dis
missed from his position for drunken
ness and for reckless shooting at limo
cent people. This, of course, greatly
incensed Wyatt
One day Finley went to see Col.
Buckner and told him of Wyatt's CON
duct. You know, colonel said he, j
am no coward; but / want to uphold
The dignity of my position, and | don't
care to get into trouble with any one
| Now, what shall | do?"
"a Well, replied Col Buckner,
would advise you to protect yourseli
against the insults and attacks of any
ruffian.'
Finley never said a word but
marched out He walked up to his of
flee and sat down. Then he went dowT
into his inside pocket and drew out 6
knife about two feet in length and &
couple of inches broad, and slowly ana
deliberately began to shaupen it by rub
bing it on his boot. When the knife
was satisfactorily sharpened Finley
placed it on the table beside him anC
leaning back in his char, waited fol
his enemy to appear.
"In a few minutes Jack Wyatt, will
q pistol protruding from his pocket
staggered in. He slammed the dool
after him, and stared in an insolent, ag
gravating way at Finley.
"Get out of this room," said the dis
trict attorney, calmly.
II would like to see you put me out
you blank blanked blanketty blank,
roared Wyatt.
What followed Wyatt used to tel
himself:
Before I knew where | was or wha
l was doing Finley had sprung over the
table, seized me by the throat and dash
ed me to the floor | was no more IL
his hands than a chicken, | saw long
knife, the very longest, it seemed to ms
that | had ever seen, flash before ny
eyes like q CLEAN of sunshine, aud then
his knee was pressing on my chest witt
terrible force. With his lett hand h
forced my head back until my neck was
as taut as q fiddle-string, and with hi
right he pressed his knife against my
windpipe. l wouldn't have given two
cents for my chance of life. l felt TIN
cold steel pressing against my throat
and every instant expected to be killed
[ couldn't scream for mercy even If
wanted TO. lay in this position for al
age, when Finley Kissed out through
his set teeth: If you hat an eyelid
you BANKED scoundrel, I'll cut YOU
blank BANKED throat like l would
snakes, And you bet | was scared tc
death lest / should bat an eyelid acct
dentally. When he let me up swore
would never bother him any more, anC
] never have"
"And from that time on" said tn
old lawyer, Judge Finley had cas-,
sailing"