Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-17
NOTCH NUMBER 4.


murdered by the moonshiners in the
mountains of northern Georgia An &C.
count OF his killing, published in a New
York newspaper said that another notch
was cut in the big poplar that guards the
entrance to Sleepy Cove, the retreat of the
outlaws, making five in all, each signii-
cant Of the death, at the hands of the illicit
whisky-makers, of revenue officer; and |
think l can say, without fear of contradic-
ton, tina! no one is better acquainted with
Sleepy Cove and that big poplar than my
self. knew well three of the poor fellows
whose epitaphs stand gaping there, silent
but awful warning to all who would disturb
the lawless men of that lonely cove. The
fifth notch is for kellett. but for whom the
fourth was cut seems still to be mystery
to the surrounding neighborhood Moon
sinners seldom make mistakes in their
matters OF murder; but in this instance |
think they have lost their reckoning. That
fourth notch was cut for me. | saw it done
with death staring me in the face Is it
possible that the outlaws still believe that
my bones are bleaching ON the damp
ground in Smoky Hole2
When notch No. was cut there was a
great stir in north Georgia. Country peo-
pie were wild with excitement. Revenue
men riding through the mountains had a
sort of itching in the back, and were in
clined often to turn in the saddle. We laid
the murder OF W at the door of the
notorious Cap Hawkins, the daring leader
OF fearless band of outlaws in the Cohutta
mountains, and as soon as possible we were
on his trail with good pack of blood
hounds. The scent WAS cold, and when we
had penetrated some eight miles into the
range the dogs became disheartened After
circling round and round US time and again
i'll search of the trail they gave it up, and
We were forced TO retreat without having
accomplished anything.
1t was dusk when we got out of the deep
woods, and we began to look about for
place TO stay for the night A log cabin of
two rooms was not inviting, but the old
crone who came to the door said that she
could provide for one of the party and that
the others might find accommodations at
another cabin mile down the road. In
some way it was arranged that | should
stay at her house, and join the party next
morning. She made me as comfortable as
possible. For supper had pure corn bread
and molasses. with great tin cup of some
thing hot called coffee While [ ate she
smoked clay pipe. sitting in the chimney
corner, with her legs crossed and her foot
swinging necessarily. When she spoke to
me, which she did oitener than l liked,
could not help feeling that she was trying
to pump me. She wanted to know entirely
too much about the moonshiners and the
revenue men. and before | finished INV
meal she made me look upon her with
suspicion. Once or twice | alluded to her
In / OH lot eln
should live alone, and even went so far as
TO inquire about her husband. and ask
when he would be at home. But she re-
piled eyasively and all that | learned was
that her old man and three grown sons
were up on the mountain tending crops
II did not require much exercise of my i'm
agination TO determine what kind of crops
they were tending. In thinking of them
my hand went iuStinctiYely to my trusty
revolver, and the touch of the cold steel
braced me up. l wondered how the men
were getting on down ut the other cabin.
and if they could hear a pistol shot that
far off
When the old woman had shown me to
nv room, she returned to her chimney cor
ner and her pipe and her foot-swinging.
Ny bed was an oid-fashioned one, with
ropes for springs and bear skins for mattress
and cover. l didn't undress but crawled
Just as was between the skins, and, lying
on my back. thought should not do much
sleeping. When my eyes grew accustomed
TO the darkness and wandered aimlessly
over the open ceiling, [ saw something
about the size OF the bed hanging directly
over me. 1t seemed to swing slowly back
and forth. stood up and touched it, ex-
amined il as infinitely as possible, and
again lay down. 1t was nothing but three
!. 80 at,- f,lx
boards supported at theends by short ropes.
If it grew colder in the night would reach
up 10 them for more cover.
intended to stay awake, but must have
been nearly asleep when creaking noise
aroused me. The next moment il was re-
peatCd d, and the quilts above me descended
rapidly. 1t flashed upon me that was in
q trap. Drawing my weapon, | attempted
to spring out of bed. determined to sell my
life dearly, but as | Strengthened up the
Quilts covered me, and before | could throw
them off strong hands We're at the corners.
1t seemed as if ton weight had fallen upon
me and doubled me up. My head was bent
so close upon my breast that thought my
neck would break. Ny breath came short
and fast.
With q frantic struggle | cooked my
pistol, and, placing the muzzle close against
the quilt, pulled the trigger. l fired at
random, trusting that fate might guide the
ball into the heart or head of some one OF
NV cowardly assailauts. The conclusion
was awful in that narrow space. The
smoke filled my eyes, nose, and ears, the
shot rang through my brain; felt that
my last hour had come. My God, how
suffered / remember derisive laugh that
seemed to come from another world, then
something heavy struck me ON the head.
When l recovered consciousness l was
living on my back in a jolting wagon, with
my hands and feet securely bound The
pale blue of the SKY above me and the hazy
outlines of the treetops reaching overhead
told me that day was breaking.
Wal, Kurrel, air ye come roun' all
right?" said deep voice at my head
Raising my eyes | saw leaning over me the
grizzly face of the outlaw. Cap Hawkins
He broke into a wild laugh at my look OF
establishment.
Didn't 'spect ter see me this mornin'
did We, Kurnel?" he said tauntingly
"Whar air yer dogs ?-ha hal-an' yel
horses ?-hei hel-an' yer-haw haw
hol-an' yer repytation2 Aw, lordy. Say
Kurnel, whar air We a-takin me this
morning? Air yer a-goin ter lock old CAP
Hawkins up agin 2
His laughter echoed through the woods
and sounded fiendish as it came back from
the mountain side | knew Cap Hawkins
well. Lawless rs be was. there was In his
composition q certain wild chiyalry pc
culiar TO these men of the mountains
Brave as a lion, he had an unbounded adj
miration for courage in others cunning as
n fox. he respected man who could outdC
him in craftiness. Knowing this. de
termined to assume bold air, and affect g
supreme indifference to my fate, whatever
that was to DE.
80. Cap, dry up began. winking slyly
Mt him. Don't Tighten the revenue men
they'll be after you again"
Again heroared as if he would split hi:
sides over the joke. He was immensel,
tickled.
"Sav your prayers, Cap" I continued
"ifll be o long time before you see day
light again"
Whit air We a-drivin' at, Kurnel ~ h
asked. seriously, casting his eyes abou
him. Ny shot had missed, but | KEEP
firing.
We'll, you see, Hawkins, now that I'v'
got YOU in my power, I'm going to put yo'
ont of the way for good. You come aionl
with me TO the cove. There's a warm holt
in the side of the mountain in which yo,
ran spend the wlnter, board and lodginl
free. Come brace up, Cap; when you SCI
how comfortable it is there you'll want Il
lease the place TOR life"
The outlaw made no response to my ran
dom talk. nor did he laugh as before Som ,
sl-;,,,. mod to worry him. for he tidgetPs