Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-06-26
Encouraging Journalism.

The ex-Arizona editor leaned
against the bar in "Ferguson's Re-
treat" the other evening. Slowly he
turned the spoon in his glass to dis
solve the sugar.
eyes" said he, journalism in Fres-
no is much different from journalism
in Arizona. Newspaper talent is APP
preciated more in the Territory than
it is here. People in the land of the
cacti, Gila monster and conviviality
believe in encouraging literature
When | first went to the Territory /
took hold of a newspaper which had
suspended publication. Its suspen-
sion was owing to the cause it had
espoused-missionary labor among
the Yuma Indians. There was no
field for journal of that kind, and it
died. The plant of the suspended pa
per was small and incomplete, yet l
got out a very creditable initial num-
ber of the paper under the new man
agement.
"There was considerable ill-feeling
against the paper on account of its
previous course, and l at once set
about to remove it.
an Tombstone, at the time enter
ed the journalistic arena, was man
who had figured conspicuously in the
history of the southwest. He was Of
the desperate order, yet he could
hardly be classed as one. He was
handy with his gun, fond of whisky,
and played game of poker that was
the envy of the camp. When in his
cups, which was frequent, he was bois-
ferrous and quarrelsome. In way
this party run the camp-for the law
abiding portion of the community, as
the saying goes, wanted no truck with
him. / will call him Jack Watkins
for that wasn't his name.
"In my salutatory in the Howling
Tempest l stated that was going to
conduct feerless, outspoken paper.
At that time | was full of vinegar and
ginger, and little bit reckless my
self.
Shortly after the first issue of the
Howling Tempest appeared, l sought
and obtained an interview with Wad-
kins. | told him that | came to
Tombstone for the purpose of conduc-
ting, if was encouraged, good,
live paper, and in order to do this |
must have his assistance. l was will
ing to pay him handsomely for his SER
vices. He toyed with his revolver for
a few minutes, and asked how he best
could subserve the interests Of the
publication. The question was fully
discussed.
1T was finally agreed that for the
consideration Of fifty dollars, by me
paid, upon the next appearance of the
Howling Tempest, Watkins should
take exceptions to u trivial article
stating that he was the only man in
the Territory unworthy to be called
Judge or Colonel, and empty his re-
volver at me from across the street.
The money to be paid after the shoot
ing. 1t was further stipulated that l
should not endanger the lives of in
nocent parties by returning Jacks
fire.
"The article as understood appear
ed, and Watkins attempted to carry
out his part of the program. l was
walking down the main street of
Tombstone shortly after the last issue
had been jerked off the Washington
hand press, when heard the sharp
report of a revolver and the whiz of
"A bullet. heard the report the fifth
time, and l felt twitching sensation
in my right hip as fell wounded on
the sidewalk.
Jack" said, as l lay on my bed,
bolstered up by pillows, and as the
tall, desperado-like character stood
over me, "why did you wound me?
"a fiendish look came over Wad-
kins' countenance as he coldy answer
ed: Sam, thought l could best en-
courage the popularity of your jour
nal by killing its editor and proprie-
tor
"And do you know what did ?"
asked the ex-Arizona journalist. No
one of the group who had heard the
narrative answered. 81 paid Jack
Watkins unstintedly the fifty dol
lars"
The ex-Arizonian filled his glass to
the brim with whisky, gave the spoon
another twirl, DOTTED the contents Of
the tumbler, and as he slowly ambled
out of the Retreat, murmured:
Charge it,"