Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-10-25
EARLY-DAY "REMINISCENCES
A Gang Of Toughs Defeated.

During the second winter of my res
idence in Olympia, the town wa
cursed by a set of lawless scamps wh'
thought it was fine fun to " shanghai
peaceful citizens, drag them off t.
their den, an old log cabin in the rea
of the Pacific hotel, where they wer'
subjected to all sorts of indignities
among which was using curry-coml
on their heads, etc, torturing them un
til the unwilling victim handed ovel
cash enough to pay the drinks for the
crowd.
This gang was led by one B-r, 6
powerful fellow, weighing over 2O(
pounds, who owned a claim over the
bay, in the vicinity of Browns wharf
l had heard of their doings, but it was
quite while before it came my turn
and had begun to think they would
let me alone, but they had decided
otherwise, and that Boston" was O
suitable subject to operate upon.
1t was my usual custom after bust
ness hours to take my pail and 60 to
the spring, just around the corner Of
Main street, on Fourth, to get my
drinking water for the next days use
One evening 1 started out on my usual
errand, and had got as far as Dunlap's
corner when / found myself surround.
ed by the whole gang, some twenty OF
more.
They greeted me with the remark,
Hello Boston, we have got you this
time"
Have you," replied, "we1l see
about that"
then sailed in, and cut my way
through the crowd, and continued on
my way to the spring. They were toe
much astonished to follow, but deter
mined to take me in on my return. !
got the water and started back to my
store, but at the same place they made
q rush for me again. In an instant
up with my bucket and dashed the
contents into their faces, at the same
time advancing swinging my empty
bucket to the right and left until ]
passed through the crowd, when ]
turned to retrace my steps, for l was
bound to have my water. As I turned,
the first person met was B-r, who
stretched out his brawny arm to seize
me, but he was not quick enough, for
like fash I up with my pail and car
omcd on his head and he fell to the
ground like q log. The force Of the
blow was so great that I fell sprawl
ing on my back, but ! was up in an in
slant and at them again and soon
cleared the road of all distractions,
leaving at least dozen of my enemies
sprawling in the dirt. I had now
been through the crowd three times
and felt not q little elated at my sue.
cess. continued on to the spring a
second time, got my water and started
to return, but observing heads pro.
truding around the corner l concluded
to Cross over to Heffron's saloon, (thcn
on the opposite side Of the street near
Mitchell's bakery, 70 see what was 60.
ing ON. I had only been in the saloon
q few minutes, when four men, headed
by one HIN, came in and walking up
to me said:
Boston, we want you over there"
DO you," said I, show many have
you with your
-Four" he replied.
looked them over to size them up
and replied, "Oh. hi, you don't
amount to anything. Go and get the
rest Of your crowd. and by the way be
very careful how you handle me or I'll
hurt some Of you before you get
through" They then left satisfied
from past experience. that I was too
much for them. Shortly after they
had left heard shouting across the
street, and knowing the gang had
made capture, I concluded it was
good time to get out, as / did not
wish any trouble If l could avoid it.
/ reached my store with the water all
right. blew out my light and awaited
developments.
In about half an hour I heard the
tramp, tramp of many footsteps com
ing along the plank walks and they
stopped in front of my store. They
ratified and banged on the door, de-
manding that should let them in,
but for long time kept silent, until
they made such desperate efforts to
get in, when I asked, "Who is there
and what do you wantf"
They replied at is us; we want
you to let us in"
Who the hi are you? Do you
suppose l am green enough to open
my door? Go off about your business
and let me alone" replied.
They then attempted to force the
door, and nearly succeeded, when
called out, "Stand back, the first one
that enters my store I'll shoot"
They held whispered consultation
and then left me in peace. I never
had any further trouble from the gang
in fact never heard Of any further dep
relations on their part, and think the
defeat they suffered at my hands broke
them up.
IRELAND in 1879 had $685. $50 in.
habitants, and the population Just
made up for 1889 is but 4,777,5N. A
decrease like this is true OF no otnel
civi,;,od countrv in the world and it,