Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-08-18
DIED WITH HIS BOOTS ON.
BY A. III. MODRICKER.

BY A. HI. MODRICKER.
Karl Bronte was one OF the most re-
markable men who ever lived on the
plains of the West. A strange mixture
of ferocity, kind-heartedness,d daring, and
politeness, his character was one nobody
could understand. All feared him and
many loved him. His eyes were blue
and large He had dimpled chin, and
his mouth, although firm and resolute,
was guarded by full red lips, and the
under one dropped, which is, according
to pbysiogmonists, sure indication OF
weakness in woman and efeminacy in a
man. Contrary to the usual fashion on the
frontier, his hair was cut close and it
absolutely curled He was usually
dressed very quietly in sober black, and,
aside from the rakish sombrero which
.shrouded his face, might have passed
for an indolent divinity student with
more soul for things carnal than spirit
ual. Bronte was born in Indiana, of
quiet and respectable parents, and was
raised on q farm. When about twenty
one years of age he had a quarrel with
a man over game of cards, and in a
fit of uncomfortable rage he shot him.
He then fed West, and at Omaha
joined an overland train. His courage,
address, and ability soon brought
him to the head of the train,
and he became trainmaster. One week
after becoming trainmaster he quarreled
with the driver of the wagon and both
men drew their revolvers, but the
teamster got the drop on Bronte, and,
covering him, declared he would shoot
him if he stirred. Bronte said it was
pity to waste life about SO trifing a
matter, and proposed to the
teamster that they should
throw away their revolvers and
fight it out with their fists. The I'M
suspecting driver threw his revolver on
the ground, when Bronte, laughing at
him for his simplicity, shot him. The
authorities of Indiana sent a sheriff after
Bronte, and he fled into the Rocky
Mountains, and there engaged in killing
Indians. In one battle he killed three
savages with his own hand, cut off their
heads, and sent them to the chief of
their tribe. He soon gained q wide
notoriety for courage, and the horse
thieves having become quite bad on the
overland stage road, the company en-
ployed Bronte to hunt them down. He
was made division superintendent and
stationed in the Rocky Mountains. It
was not long until desperate, who
was suspected of being horse-thief,
aired his insolence before Gentleman
Karl, when Bronte rose and killed him
without word. So great terror had
Bronte become to the horse-thieves
that, no matter whose horses were
stolen, the Overland Stage Company's
animals were never touched.
Having restored order on his division,
Bronte was sent to another further east.
Here he relieved man named
Denton, who was inefficient. Denton
hated Bronte because he had super
seeded him. and it was not long until
they were bitter enemies, and watched
for each other. Denton seeing Bronte
coming down the street, hid behind
the door of store and poured
the contents of a shotgun into
his enemy. Bronte returned the
compliment with his revolver. Both
men were badly wounded, and for
long time confined to their beds.
Denton recovered first and fed to the
mountains, Bronte having declared he
would kill him as soon as he could get
on his feet.
For long time the men did not hear
of each other, but one day Bronte,
learning Denton was in mining camp,
offered reward for him.
Some of Bronte's minions captured
Denton, who was quite an old man, and
brought him to Bronte's house. Bronte
tied him to a post in the back
yard and left him there all night,
the weather being quite cold.
In the morning he went out and
amused himself by making . shooting
mark of Denton, and wounding the old
man purposely in several places, until
he begged Bronte to kill him, which he
did BY shooting him through the head.
One day he was passing along the
street, when he met . little boy who
was crying. Bronte was very fond of
children, and they all loved him. He
picked up the little fellow and dried
his tears and inquired the cause of his
trouble. Between his sobs the boy told
his story. He was the only son of q
poor widow who lives down by the
river and does washing for the gam
blers. Early in the spring Mart Mason
had employed him to tend his horse, prom
Using him $3.50 q week for his services.
Glad to be able to help his mother the
little fellow took charge of the gamblers
horse, and groomed and fed him for
sixteen weeks; then Mason sold the
animal and his services were no longer
required. He had Just been to ask Ma
SON for his pay, and the gambler had
not only not paid him, but he had
Kicked him out of the saloon.
sHe kicked you, did he?" said
Bronte, and those blue eyes Of his
snapped
~Yes, sir, faltered the boy.
sAnd he won't pay You your money!
sNo Gir.s vhimpered the l;t&la cal.