Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-05-26
MY ONLY ARREST.

A few years ago had u great desire TO
enter the United States service. didn't
care in what capacity. just so long as Ig't
my living from Uncle Sam. Mentioning
my desire to the United States marshal
for the northern distric, N Florida. 1t " as
gratiiied. was at once ushcrcd into th.
presence Of the United States judge. held
up my right hand. and. with a heroism
worthy of n better cause. sworr TO sup
port the Constitution OF the United States
though nj the time was hardly able "a
support my own constitution. Taxing my
formidable commission aud u supply oi
official stationery. went back to the vii
lage of Dead Pine to await orders.
Dead Pine is n small town SO named be-
cause there is n large live oak in front oi
the principal saloon. Dead Pine Is not III
imposing place. At that time II had lii
Ito depot. some stores, some rtgagci
farmers and three saloons. Ii also had u
malarial back country. with plenty oi
bad men" living in IT, u couple Of hall
starved churches. aud some Christians
ioaning money at from to any per cent
monthly To their struggling ncighbors. II
was also the center of lumber and tur.
pcntinc district. where prominent citizens
steal state and government timber and
call II business.
In few days my troubles began. ! re.
ccivcd portcntous document from head
quarters at Jacksonville. II had four i'm.
prcssive and sinister looking official
stamps on the envelope. and ordered me
to ut once seize the body Of Thomas Per
kins. supposed to be lurking somewhere
in the county. and bring said body bcfor,
the United States court. then in session ai
Jacksonville. by careful reading Of the
somewhat diifusive warrant. discovered
that Thomas had been guilty Of perjury ii
violation of the statutes in such cases
made and provided.
An hour later the following dispatch
was handed to me:
oYTicE OF THE UNITED STATES MAnsHAi-l
JACKSONVILLE. Fla. I
go United States Deputy Marshal. Dead Pine. Fla
Understand Perkins desperate character; gel
help necessary; take him dead or alive.
MARSHAL
That dispatch made me very indignant
Get help. indeed Not l! ! was O feet
inch in height. weighed 1875 pounds. II
couldn't alone arrest one man was un
worthy TO wear the bright red ribbon OF
the lapel Of my vest labeled Limited
States marshal"
Besides. IL got help. there would moi
be enough glory TO 20 around. wanted
1t all for myself and determined TO bring
In the prisoner elect by my own unaidet
efforts or occupy one of the misiit coffin,
ut the village undertakcrs.
The first thing was 10 locate the gentle
man. who. suffering from some affection
Of the intellectual liver, had resorted Il
perjury. | located him. Six miles from
town. In u vcritablc wilderness. two miles
from any other house. lived. moved ant
had his being. Mr.. Thomas Perkins. II
whom this great government Of our wa
so intensely interested.
The next thing was 20 make the neces
sary preparations. made them. In tn
morning by the bright light, Of beauti
ful winters day, stout wagon. drawn b.
two sturdy and reflective mules. wa
drawn up In front Of the village hotel
which was very inappropriately names
The DelmonicO." ON the front seat wa
my negro driver and pilot. BILL On tn
rear seat sat the writer Under a blanke
at my feet was Winchester rifle and
double barrclcd shot gun well loaded will
buckshot, although | was oppressed will
narrowing doubt as 10 whether hadn'
put the buckshot In first. In the pocke
OF my overcoat was a Smith & Wessol
dodblc action sixty.cight. and In the brcas
pocket of my inner coat n bowie knife tina
had once belonged TO Texas evangelist.
A curious crowd had gathered TO see m
of They knew my mission. though non
OF them knew who | was after. The.
cheered me with novel suggestions ant
well meant advice. 81 say. Cap" sai'
one. ''ye'd better take a bottle OF whisk.
crlong wi you. There amt no BARRON
whar you're goin.
My driver looked approvingly at thi
speaker.
"IIe won't look very pretty comm bacl
here with furrer driv el'ar through hi
chist. will her said another.
" "Tw0uldn't do fer him 90 60 out ba
huntin at night with that red nose shin
in. would hitf"
That last remark hurt my vanity. NJ.
nose was rather red. but II come from n
undue partiality for stewed tomatoes. no
from any other cause.
when you Gre at him. Cap, watch tina
OF mules hind leg. fer he's goln' te
kick" said long. lank feller on the out
skirts Of tho crowd.
Even the negroes had something 10 say
Approaching me with Difference. ono o
them whispered to mo eonAdentlally:
"Boss. yed best tie dat fool nigge
what's drlvin' ter the seat. fer sOOn's h
hears cap pop he's gwine Ter jump ou
an run like dc debll."
Bill gave the mules stimulating touel
Of the whip aud away we went. For tw
miles oui We had good roads. After that
the roughest and worst that I had eve