The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-01-26
A KICKING BURRO.
Sout Between Gigantic Indanian and .
Donkey-the Donkey EIoored.

In the early days of Dutch Flat
large-boned and gigantic Indianian
was known to his rough but kindly
associates as Kicking Tom" He had
won the nickname by reason of the
terrific force with which he could
launch his great sinewy foot against
an opposing object. He was, besides,
as 1.-THE and springy as panther. In
those day men were not very particu-
lar about the character of their amuse-
ments, although nothing mean or un-
fderhanded took place among them.
Their rough courtesy was genuine and
hearty, and they were as brave as
Norman barons or Paladins of France.
They at times had little regard for hui
man life. but in their deadly affrays
they took the lion and not the hyena
for their model. They admired cour-
age and strength, because these were
qualities which came every day into
requisition, and without them there
was neither peace nor safety in the
then lawless realm of the gold seekers.
| Among these pioneers of the wilder
ness Kicking Tom had grown into
universal popularity. He was gener-
Gus, brave and kindly, and, what per-
haps endeared him to his associates
more than anything else, he was al
ways foremost in the rough sports of
the camp. He was ever ready for fun
and frolic, and it was matter of su-
preme Indifference to him whether this
took the form of pleasant episodes or
old adage that at is Just as good to
fight as to eat" One day miner
brought into camp a Mexican burro
which soon obtained wide celebrity
as a vicious animal, who, when ex-
cited, would attack man or beast with
desperate fury. Several mountain
ponies had been kicked to death by
him, and more than one man had
nearly lost his life by the savage heels
of the brute. So exciting had become
the record of the jacks achievements
that they became the subject of uni
versal conversation and inquiry among
the miners. Sitting in their cabins
they sprung wonderful tales of what
he had done and was capable of do
ing.
"He is the liveliest kicker going"
said one.
"You are right, old man. That
beast can kick the hair off mans
! head without touching the skin" re-
| piled one of his companions.
That was touching "om in tender
place, and after mo.hent's reflection
he broke up with the remark:
He can't out-kick me-" The obser-
vation was received with amazed ST.
| lence.
"Lord, Tom! Why, he'd make mince
meat of you in minute"
Would hep" replied the athletic
1ndianian. Then he can have the
chance. I'm ready to kick for 800,
and may the best man win.''
"Or the best jack" interposed a
companion.
II mean what 1 say old man, so
| don't be too spry with your tongue"
/ And Toms brow lowered in a gather
ing anger. His friends apologized
for the jest and then the crowd dis
persed.
The next day the rumor went wild
through the camp that Tom was will
| ing to kick the burro for a wager. In
| the dusk of the evening the miners
| gathered in from their work and dis
cussed the subject in all its bearings.
! Opinions as to the match was about
evenly divided. If anything, Tom
was the favoritc. Under these cir
cumstances a mill for 800 side was
easily arranged between the beast and
the man, and it was decided that the
conflict should come off the next Sum
| day afternoon.
! Promptly at the appointed hour
every inhabitant of Dutch Flat was
assembled in little level spot Just
outside the limits of the camp. The
preliminaries were quickly arranged
and the fight began. The beast
seemed to take in the situation at a
glance, and, laying back his ears, he
watched his wary opponent with an
cry eyes. Suddenly Tom ieaped for
ward and landed terrific kick
squarely on the junction of the neck
ana head. The brute reeled before
the force of the blow, but recovering
on the instant, he wheeled and
launched both heels at his antagonist.
| The man leaped aside, and as quick as
| lightning responded with another fear
full kick on the burro's neck. Aud so
the conflict ragged. Sometimes the
| jack would get in savage blow on
his opponent, put oftener the man had
the best of it; and at last putting forth
all his wonderful strength, he landed
a kick with the fury and irresistible
force of pile driver on the jacks
neck, which had been his objective
point from the beginning. The beast
reeled back, and with a convulsive
quiver fell over. Tom was terribly
bruised but no bones were broken,
and in few days he was as spry as
ever.
The miners next day gave the jack
regular funeral. Amid all the pomp
and circumstance of the camp he was
laid to rest underneath the sod of the
valley, and local poet thus canon
lied his memory:
Lay his waxen hoofs together,
! Foid back his long and spreading ears
| For he has gone to blend his heehaw