The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-07-30
A CARSON INCIDENT.

so much has been written about Kit
carson as hunter, trapper, scout and
guide, that 1t Is hard to write an incl
dent that has not already been told
over and over again.
L was associated with him for a time
in the Northwest Fur company, and
learned TO know him for all he was
worth as a man of nerve, modesty and
unfailing courage.
We were just ready to leave st.
Louis for the Yellowstone in stern
wheel steamer with crowd of trap
pers, boatmen and hunters, when it
was discovered that about Il dozen of
the Canadian trappers and half-breeds
were ashore on spree, spending their
advanced wages and would not come
off.
"Judson, take man with you and
bring them OFF, said old Choteau, the
head man in the company, and ad-
dressing me.
called to Carson to put on his belt
OF tools and &C up town with me.
1--WE want no tools to handle them
drunken fools withn' was his reply.
And unarmed he started on shore with
me. We entered several saloons be-
fore we found the men we were after.
but at last their yells and songs piloted
us to the right place. There were ten
OF them, crazy drunk, dancing, yelling
and carrying on as only such men can.
when wild on eight-rod whisky. Step
ping in amongst them, | told them the
boat was about to start and they must
get aboard
''Boat 90 to hell. you too!' cried one
OF the leaders. ''Choteau no good
we in for big drunk. Voila."
A back-hander under his left ear
dropped him, and then his comrades
made rush for me- As they did so,
Carson ''miXed in" without waiting for
orders. He caught the two foremost
each by his long. shaggy hair, and
brought their heads together with a
crash that sounded like boat buttino
end onto a wharf. 1t was enough for
those two; they dropped, bleeding at
the nose and mouth, and then he
caught up another, and using him as a
fail, thraShed right and left with his
1.-the and timber body and limbs,
knocking men to and fro, and literally
leaving me nothing to do but 20 look on
and laugh. In less than two minutes the
fracas was all over, the men subdued
and ready to 60 on board; for, though
they hated Carson heartily, they feared
him more.
Now, more trouble seemed immi-
nent. The keepers of the saloon claim
ed $40 damages for broken table and
two or three chairs that had suffered in
the skilmish, and swore none of us
should leave the room until the money
was paid. He was reputed a fighter.
He stood over six feet high and was all
bone and muscle. He had a barkeeper
TO back him nearly as large, and he
picked up a club and he seemed ready
TO use it.
Were going off to the boat no,0; if
you have a bill to collect take it to
Choteau;' said Carson, quietly, while
i got the Canadians together to start
Il IL mash the first cuss that moves,''
yelled the keeper, and he started for
the door to head us off. He was going
fast and he fell over Carson's out
stretched foot. And when he struck
the floor Carson was sitting on his
head, while pistol that Kit had
snatched from my belt was looking the
barkceper in the face.
Take the men on board, cap; I'll
get there as soon as you do!n said Kit
to me quietly. Pm tired and want to
rest minute | left him well know
ing he could ''hold the fort" and went
on board with the men. | had scarce
ly crossed the gang plank when Kit
came over it, quiet smile on his face.
Handing me back my pistol, he said:
81 had no use for the iron-that cuss
didn't like the looks of it," Always
cool, immensely strong for his stature,
Kit Carson was a danger to an enemy
and blessing to friend. 1t is pity
that there are but few of such men left
on the plains, IN the present day.
lie was man to bet your life and for
tune on, Tor you had sure thing every
me.-AeU Bztntiine.