The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-09-08
Seleft stury.,
Lynchiug Of Wild Jake.

l00 Iltti6 mlnIng tOWu VI CuoNspcdE
New Mexico, nesting high in the pyra-
mid range, and so called, as Russian Bill
suggested. because "only little Ham,
let'' was wrapped in sleer. 1t was just
about that little hour when, according to
military writers, that concrete mass OF
ignorance-drill, ball and chain. and bull
lying--the common soldier sleeps upon
bis post and the drowsy policeman be-
comes oblivious otscrime. Yet late as
was the hour and palpable as was the
darkness, Dumber of men were silently
vending their way 10 the rear Of "Rock
sey's" Saloon through the chinks in the
closed door of which issued a ray Of
light. Each man as he approached gave
q peculiar knock and the door was in
stantly opened and quickly closed behind
him. The light shone for an instant on
the barrel of q Winchester rifle and re.
vealed the fact that each man also car
ried six.shooter 10 bis cartridge belt
When about twenty had assembled the
door was blocked and after all hands
had taken drink the company seated
themselves on barrels, old champagne
cases, one long form and few conven-
tionaI cane bottomed chairs made in old
Mexico, and ma,vels alike Of ease and
chespness. II waa picturesque crowd
in the dulllight Of two kerosene lamps
and would have delighted the heart Of q
Salvatcr Rosa. There was the er'zz'ed
old prospector who had come to CaIitor-
mia in
'The days of old. the days Of gold,
The days of Forty-nine,"
and who had ever since been leading q
wandering life, "making strikes, ""blow-
ing in his pile" "getting down to bed
rock," and rising flush" once more
There was "Rocksey" himself who, as be
laconically expressed it, was there to
'.sell whisky not to give it away" There
was the tenderioot eastern clerk out Of
the stage company office, on whose up
per lip the microscope, with care, nigh,
discover some .incipient vegetation, to.
eetber with few determined looking
men OF middle age--cattlemen who we're
being deprived through the "rustlers" OF
their fair and just thir,y-three per cent
increase every two years Of their hoard
ed wealth. aa-s.- -. 80. -l-.s- i.tg
eMShorty" Smith opened the meeting
in few words, He said !: "Gentlemen
/ see as ye've come on the dead square
for business an ain't goin' to make no
speech. We all lowed as this town AIM
got no further use for Wild Jake or any
OF his kind. an that it's about time be
stacks his chips. and quits He's run this
town long enough, an he got iair notice
not to come back here after he got clear
OF killing Mulligan. an he wouldn't take
it. He's here again at his old tricks
He's locked up Ia Moreno's old adobe
an the Sheriff home in bed. , Lets &c
up there!"
"Let's take drink frst," said the
young clerk fresh from the peaceful asso
Citations OF a refined far.oH home
"rll go ye," cried several and Rock
sey" sci them up once more.
Here's success to crime" exclaimed
one OF the cattle men, and with sub.
dued laugh every glass was emptied
The old Californian remarked that ''twa.
wonderful how whisky turned mar
when be wasn't used TO it," appropos o.
the fiery stuff having gone against the
tenderfoot's breath, and there was more
subdued merrimeut. "a
"Vamoae," cried "Shorty" as be turn
cd out the lights and the whole party 6led
into the darkness.
Down the hill they went toward q
small two.roomed adobe short distance
from the Office Of the Great Expectation
mine. At some thirty, Yards from the
Office few men silently detached them.
selves from the party and took up theil
position as guards TO prevent the ap.
p-osch of strangers. The rest moved
silently on. Outside the door they hall.
ed for q whispered consultation which
lasted but minute. Then two men took
from the woodpile close by heavy piece
OF timber. With terrible force they
drove It against the wooden door of tho
calaboose. 1t held. The noise, though
awoke their victim. The rattle OF biz
shackles as he reused himself from his
blanket wss distinctly audible. 'In with
her." yelled dozen voices, and at the
second blow OF the improwptu batteriue
ram the door fell shivering. from its hin.
ges and about q dozen men entered
Wild Jake stood before them in the rays
OF dark lantern, completely at theil
mercy. A tall. swarthy, we'll built fel
low Of about SO. The face was opei
and frank. but the long waving hair aut
piercing dark eyes recalled Josquin Mil
ier's description Of Walker, "balf aDge
and half Lucifer."
"What do you want Of me, gentle
men ?" he asked In tones utterly fire
frSm the slightest suspicion OF borde
slang.
eye know what we want said Shorty
i0Ye've got to 90 where there amt NJ