The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11
The BibS And Curriers'.
M. Quad in Detroit Free pross.


place, and had come within mile of his
house, and the hour was about in the after
noon, when l got sudden surprise. / was
emerging from ravine TO the main trail when
four men suddenly sprang out at me from be-
hind mass of rock. One was old and white
haired, though still vigorous, while the othera
were men of middle age. All had guns and
knives, and tough looking lot they were as
they surrounded me. There was moment
of silence as we surveyed each other, and then
one of the mon asked:
WHO be you un2"
told him.
80, yes" he replied as he held out his hand.
$50 you 'un is I'm, be it? Glad to see YOU.
We'uns hev all heard OF you'un.
All shook hands with me and passed the
time of day, and presently asked:
Out for hunt2"
eyes"
CATER bear?''
digger nor that, stranger"
All chuckled as if highly pleased, and aftes
enjoying my embarrassment for minute the
spokesman said
1--WE mought ak We to mix in, stranger, bus
it's none o. your consider
"What il it?''
"Were huntin Hank Bibbs and his pap"
"Gong to kill them?"
'If we kin. That's what were we're fur.
That's why we're cum from tother side of the
big hill"
why, was on my way to Bibbs."
"Reckon We were, stranger. That's why we
scrimmage."
II was a feud-a vendetta. Irealzod it now,
They had set out to kill men just as you would
to kill pigeons.
"Teli me about this" said as we sat down
on rock and passed out some tobacco
"Wall,' replied the Spokesman, men the
old man ar Carriers. The others jined in to
help. We've bin down on the Blbbs fur-let's
see-how long is it, pap2'
"a year afo' the wai." answered the old
man.
Call it thirty years." resumed the son.
"Thats a right smart, reckon. And views
killed four on em-four of the Bibbs, And
threy've killed three of us-three of the Car
tiers! Thar hasn't bin any scrimmage OF late,
cause Hank Bibbs has bin gone and have bin
gone, and tho old folks here got noas' too old,
But Hank has cum back. and hev cum back,
and so we reckoned ON gwine over thar and
wipin tho last of 'em out"
Chow ddthis affair start? What was the
beginning2"
"The start Let's sect II goes back. too far
fur me, Say, pap, what begun this yere
fuss2p
Jim Bibbs pzened my megi, cause ! beat
10 you sure Of ii s2..sssiiH5. esls.s.as use s
esboreg Of coulaR, NJ c.iss Pearl Sc, ns.Y,
l nss , ,I'a sss s.qis Fllll
~ S9 was Mat hs p @sss Nm Rs
old age"
Say, pap, said the son, "p'raps that was
the way OF Ii"
"Monght be, Cyrus. j never thort Of it,"
'Took here, men,, said after we had talked
II little further this thing is all wrong and
want to see 1t rigllted want TO see DiDbs be.
fore you do any shooting"
"What fur"
"To see what he has against you, and to see
IL you can't be friends. You have all been
wrong from the start"
"But didn't my mewl die2" asked the old
man.
''Yes, but you didn't know that one Of the
Bibbs' was within dozen miles OF him. Did
you try to find out II they were guilty?"
II hadn't no show. jist took down the gun
nd peppered Bill Bibbs. Then one OF his
rothers peppered my son Enos, and so we'yo
been pepperin' over since"
"And all about an old niulol"
"Wcll, nevis was shace then, and II was the
principle of the thing ye see. Mebbe wo've
been firstly (hasty) but the Bibbs hain't never
cum to talk 1t over"
After a little more talk 1t was agreed that
should go on to Bibbs' and tell them what was
up and ask the two men TO come down to q lit
tie branch which crossed the road ahead Of us.
They were guaranteed protection, and the
whole matter should be talked over with q
Wow to permanent peace. found the men
father and son--sitting in front of the cabin.
Before had said twenty words both rushed
for their guns, and it was half an hour before
they could reason.
Didn't they'uns begin to shoot we'uns
awhile he Gained down, and it was finally
agreed to so down end have q talk. There was
no thought Of ambush and trickcry. Tho Car
tiers had passed their word, and that word was
sacred. 1T was n curious scene when all came
together. There we're the two old patrarchs
--white-haired, wrinkled, and getting ready
for the grave, and each had hated for thirty
wears. There were the two sops--strong, agile,
fearless, who had the memory OF seven kill
ings on their minds as they looked into each
Others eyes The men with the Carriers cast
down their eyes as II ashamed
"MP. Bibbs," / said as we sat down. "do you
remember how this all started2"
"Let's see. IL was way back. My Bill was
out hunting and Pap Carter peppered him.
BIZ said so afore he died"
"And thenV
"And then peppercd Buck Carter to git
even"
posoned?"
''Neyer did,"
ssDidn't you hear OF his mule dying?"
"Can't say did. If ia heard Of it I'd hev
been sorry, fur Pap Carter AM me was boys
together, and We used to set store by each
other"
"Pap Bibbs," began the old man Carter as
he rose up, EAR ye sayin' as We never heard
lost mewl--a yallerish mewl with blackish
ears and tail?"
"I'm a sayin 1t, Reuben, and it's Gods
"And your SON Bill didn't plzen him cause
beat him chopin woodY'
"He never did BIZ wasn't like &c. BIZ
would hev cut his hand off fust"
"And he wasn't mad cause ! beat hm?"
"IIoosanl Why, Bill cum home to say ys
was the best man with the ak on Ball Noun
tainl"
"And seven murders have been done
through this" / said, as looked at Pap Car
ter.
"God forgive mel" ho exclaimed, as he
| lsnelt down and flung up his hands. why
| didn't ye cum over TO me- Abram, and dun
| tell me how 1t all vast
Elbow could l. Reuben, when you'uns was
peppern' wouns with buckshotl Fo' the
! Lord but what wicked critters wo hey beenl"
! "Abra'ml"
! "Reuben"
And then the young men also reached Qua
I for each others hands, and I'm not going 10
| deny II was q womansh time all around for
| the next ten minutes. When we went up 10
| Bibbs' cabin there was more OF it, and the
! two old mon knelt right down side by side,
arms around each othor and their white heads
| close together, and they went and prayed like
| children lost In the darkness aud storm.
Thirty years Of hate and blood were wiped
away In M hour.