Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-01-18
KICKING \ JACKAS IS.
How the Biped Brute Triumphed
over His Ssnadruped ANITA gonist.

over His Snadruped ANITA gonist-
In the early days of Dutch Flat a
large-boned and gigantic Indianian was
known TO his rough but kindly assO-
ciates 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
sprlngy as q panther. In those days
men were not very particular about
the character of their amusement, al
though nothing mean or underLanded
ever took place among them. Their
rough courtesy was genuine and
hearty, and they were as brave as Nor
man barons or Paladins of France.
They at times had little regard for
human life, but in their deadly affrays
they took the lion and not the hyena
for their model. They admired courage
and strength because these were quail
ties which came every day into requisi-
tion, and without them there was
neither peace nor safety in the then
lawiess realm of the gold seekers.
Among these pioneers of the wilder
ness Kicking Tom had grown into uni
versal popularity. He was generous,
brave and kindly, and what perhaps
endedred him to his associates more
than anything else he was always fore
most in the rough sports of the camp.
He was ever ready for fun and frolic,
and II was matter of supreme indif-
ference to him whether this took the
form of pleasant episodes or rough
fighting. He exempllfied the old adage
that 1T is just as good to fight as to
eat"
One day a miner brought into camp
Mexican burro which soon obtained
wide celebrity as a vicious animal,
who, when excited, would attack man
or beast with desperate fury. Several
mountain ponies had been kicked "a
death by him and more than one man
had nearly lost his life by the savage
heels of the brute. So exciting had be-
come the record of the jacks achieve
ments that they became the subject oi
universal conversation and inquiry
among the miners. Sitting in theiI
| cabins they spun wonderful tales OF
what he had done and was capable oi
doing.
''He is the liyeliest kicker in the
world" said one.
"You are right, old man. That
beast can kick the hair off a mans
head without touching the skin," re.
piled one of his companions.
This was touching Tom in a tender
place, and after a moments reflector
he spoke up with the remark:
''He can't outkick me-" The OBJ
servation was received by the group il
amazed silence
Lord, Toni Why, he'd make mlnct
meat of you in a minute"
"Would help replied the athletic In
diauian. "Then he can have the chance
Pm ready to kick for 500, and may
| the best man win.''
''Or the best jack, " laughingly inter
posed a companion.
81 mean what l say, old man, Sc
don't be too spry with your tongue. ,
And Toms brOws lowered in gathering
anger. His friend apologIzed for the
Jest and the crowd dispersed for the
night.
! The next day the rumOr went wild
| through the camp that Tom was will
! ing to kick the burrO for wager. Ii
the dusk of the evening the miners
gathered in from their work and dis.
cussed the subject in all its bearings.
| Opinion as to the match was about
evenly divided. If anything, Tom was
the fayorIte. Under these circumstances
a mill for 500 side was easily ar.
ranged between the beast and the man,
| and il was decided that the conflict
should come off on the next Sunday af-
| ternoon.
Promptly at the appointed hour every
inhabitant of Dutch Flat was assem-
bled in little level spot just outside
the limits of the camp. The prelim.
luaries were quickly arranged and the
fight began. The beast seemed to take
in the situation at glance, and laying
back his ears he watched his wary op-
ponent with angry eyes. Suddenly
Tom leaped forward and landed a ter
| rldc kick squarely on the junction OF
the neck and head. The brute reeled
before the force of the blow, but re-
| covering 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. And SO
the conflict ragged. Sometimes the Jack
would get in a savage blow on his op-
| ponent, but oftener the man had the
best of it; and at last, putting forth all
of 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 dead. Tom was terri
bly, bruised, but no bones were broken
and IN few days he was as spry as
ever.
The miners next day gave the jack a
regular funeral. Amid all the pomI
and circumstance of the camp he was
laid to rest underneath the sod of the
valley and local poet thus canonized
his memory:
Lay his waxen hoofs together,
Fold back his long and spreading ears,
For he has gone to blend his geehaw
With Lie rnnsic of the snheres