The Opelousas courier., 1885-09-26
LynchiDg of Wild Jake.


Russian Bill suggested, because "only
a little Hamlet was wrapt in sleep.
1t was just about that little hour
VIXEN, according to military writers,
that concrete mass Of ignorance-drill,
ball and chain, and bullying-the COM
NOR soldier sleeps upon his post and the
drowsy policeman becomes oblivious
of crime. Yet late as was the hour
and palpahle as was the darkness, a
number. Of mea were silently vending
their way to the rear of "Rocksey's"
saloon, through the chunks in the closed
door of which issued a ray Of light.
Each man as he approached gave a
peculiar knock and the door was
Instantly opened and quickly closed
behind him. The light shone for an
instant on the barrel of a Winchester
ride and revealed @the fact that each
man also carried a s~ix-shooter in his
cartridge belt. When about twenty
had assembled the door was blocked,
and after all hands had taken a drink
the company seated themselves on bar
re]s. old champagne cases, n long
form and a few conventional cane bot
toned chairs made in Old Mexico, and
maryels alike of ease and cheapness.
1t was a picturesque crowd in the dull
light of twogsarosene lamps and would
have delighted the heart of a Salvador
Rosa. There was the griZzled old
prospector who had come to California
IL
''Thc days of old, the days of gold,
The days of Forty -nine,'
And who had ever since been leading
q wandering life, making strikes"
'blowing in his pile getting down
to bed rock" and rising 'fush' once
more. There was sRocksey'' himself,
who, as he l~aoonically expressed it
was there to sell whisky. not to give
il away" There was the tenderfoot
Eastern clerks out Of the stage compa-
ny Office, on whose upper lip the mi
croscope, with care, might discover
some incipient vegetation, together
with a few determined looking men of
middle age-cattlemen who were
being deprived through the "rustlers'
of their fair and just t~hirty-three per
cent. increase every two years of their
hoa4ded wealth.
shorty Smith opened the meeting
In Il few words. He said: Gentle
men, / see as ye'ye come On the dead
square for business an | amt goin' to
make no speech. We all lowed as
this town amt got no further use for
Wild Jake or any Of his kind, an that
it's about time he stacks his chips and
quits He's u this town long
enough. an he got fair notice not to
come back here after he got clearof kill
ing Mulligan," and he wouldn't take it.
He's here again at his old tricks. He's
locked mp in Moreno's old adobean'
the Sheriff's home in bed. Let's go
up there T.
Let's take a drink first suggested
the young clerk, fresh from the peace
full associations Of refined far off
home.
I'll go ye,' cried several, and Crock
asey set them up once more.
Here's success to crime" exclaimed
one OF the cattle men, aud with a sub
dnod laugh every glass was emptied.
Tho old. Californian remarked that
"'twas wonderful how whisky turned
aalan when he wasn't used to it,"
apropos Of the fiery stuff having gone
against the tenderfoot's breath, and
there was more subdued merriment.
..Vamouse,' cried shorty" rs he
turned out the lights and the whole
party filed into the darkness.
Down the hill they went toward a
small two-roomed adobe a short dis
tance from the Office Of The Great Elk
pectation mine. At some thirty yards
from the Office a few men silently de-
tached themselves from the party and
took up their position as guards to
prevent tho approach Of strangers.
The rest moved silently On. Outside
the door they haitci for a whispered
consultation which lasted but 4 min
NE. Then two incl took from the
Woedplle close by a heavy piece of
timber. With terrific force they drove
u against the wooden door of the Gala
boose. H held. The noise. though.
aWoke their victim. Inc rattle. Of his
sAaeklcs q he ronsed himself from his
slahket was distinct audible. III,
her, Yelled 4 dcacn voices and iii
second blow of The impromptu
aat1eriRg raua the door fell shiyerino
from ~ hlnges. About i dozen men
entered Will gako stood before.
aIa III tho rays Us 4 dark lantern.
eElnplataly ~ their
flIy. welkballt fesIe sboet Sc.