San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-14
MY ONLY ARREST.

enter the United States service. ! didn't
care in what capacity, just so long as Igot
my living from Uncle Sam. Mentioning
my desire to the United States marshal
for the northern district of Florida, it vas
gratifed. l was at once ushered into the
presence of the United States judge, held
up my right hand, and, with heroism
worthy of better cause, swore to sup
port the Constitution of the United States,
though at the time was hardly able to
support my own constitution. Taking my
formidable commission and a supply OF
official stationery, went back to the vii
lage of Dead Pine to await orders.
Dead Pine is a small town so named be-
cause there is large live oak in front Of
the principal saloon Dead Pine is not an
imposing place. At that time it had lit
tie depot, some stores, some mortgaged
farmers and three saloons. 1t also had Il
malarial back country, with plenty Of
bad men" living in it, a couple of half
starved churches, and some Christians
loaning money at from to any per cent
monthly to their struggling neighbors. II
was also the center of lumber and tur-
pentine district, where prominent citizens
steal state and government timber and
call it business.
In few days my troubles began. re-
ceived portentous document from head
quarters at Jacksonville. 1t had four i'm
pressive and sinister looking official
stamps on the envelope, and ordered me
to at once seize the body of Thomas Per
kins, supposed to be lurking somewhere
in the county, and bring said body before
the United States court, then in session at
Jacksonville. By careful reading of the
somewhat diffusive warrant, discovered
that Thomas had been guilty of perjury III
violation of the statutes in such cases
made and provided.
An hour later the following dispatch
was handed to me:
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES MARSHAL
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
70 United States Deputy Marshal, Dead Pine, Fla.
Understand Perkins desperate character; get
help necessary; take him dead or alive
MARSHAL.
That dispatch made me very indignant
Get help, indeed! Not l! was feet
inch in height, weighed 1876 pounds. If |
couldn't alone arrest one man / was IN
worthy to wear the bright red ribbon or
the lapel of my vest labeled United
States marshal"
Besides if l got help, there would not
be enough glory to go around. WANTED
it sill for myself, and determined to bring
in the prisoner elect by my own unaideG
efforts, or occupy one of the mistt collins
at the village undertaker's.
The first thing was to locate the gentle
man, who, suffering from some affection
of the intellectual liver. had resorted to
perjury. l located him. Six miles from
town, in a veritable wilderness, two miles
from any other house, lived, moved and
had his being, Mr.. Thomas Perkins, in
whom this great government Of our was
so intensely interested.
The next thing was to make the neces-
sary preparations. | made them. In the
morning by the bright light, of beauti-
full winters day, stout wagon, drawn by
two sturdy and reflective mules, was
drawn up in front of the village hotel,
which was very inappropriately named
THE Delmonico." On the front seat was
my negro driver and pilot, Bill On the
rear seat sat the writer. Under blanket
at my feet was Winchester rifle and a
double barreled shot gun well loaded with
buckshot, although l was oppressed with
a narrowing doubt as to whether l hadn't
put the buckshot in first. In the pocket
of my overcoat was a Smith & Wesson
dodble action sixty eight and in the breast
pocket of my inner coat bowie knife that
had once belonged to Texas evangelist
A curious crowd had gathered to see me
off. They knew my mission, though none
of them knew who was after. They
cheered me with novel suggestions and
well meant advice. III say, Cap" said
one, "ye'd better take bottle of whisky
erlong wi you There amt no barroom
whar you're goin.'" ..f q
Ny driver looked approvingly at this
speaker.
"He won't look very pretty comm back
here with furrer driv cl'ar through his
chist, will heH" said another. .'E ..J
A." 'Twouldn't do fer him to go out bar
huntin at night with that red nose shin
in, would hitf" ... ..... .r. ..a
That last remark hurt my vanity. My
nose was rather red, but it come from an
undue Partially for stewed tomatoes. not