The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-11-15
THE PROFESSORS CLAIM.
Nance Williams Was Only a Woman
But She Defended the Rights
of the Absent.

was Sunburned and ana ner
nose had too much the suggestion of a
snub to be an ornament. But she had
Hne eyes-not large, but small, express
I've and fringed with heavy black lashes.
She was a strong hmbed, well developed
and hearty girl of 90, or whereabouts, at
the time of this story, and was known to
the Skytown community as a fearless
woman, and no less peculiar thar brave.
Peculiar, indeedi She had no rela-
tives that any one knew of, and was all
alone way out in that western country,
and for a woman to be alone in Dakota
in 'S2-8o and especially "holding down a
claim" ten miles from any one, present
ed a spectacle of self sacrifice and daring
rarely exhibited by the gentler sex.
But Nance was equal to the emergency.
If she had a heart to dare, she had an
arm all sufficient for her protection. She
could handle a gun with the skill and
ease of a professional ranger, and had
more than once demonstrated her superb
craftsmanship. / have seen her break
the widest of bronchos to the saddle,
and by a score Of similar acts proclaim
herself the mistress of her situation.
Yet, with all her masculine qualities,
she was feminine to the greatest degree
in some of the sweeter virtues of her sex.
She was ready witted, bright and tender
hearted, and whenever she camel into he
store to trade it was a treat for me to
draw her out in conversation. She was
usually very reserved, but from time to
time / gleaneda few facts concerning her
early life. She was born in California.
There was q tinge of Indian blood in her
mothers veins and her father was a
miner-a s'forty-niner." Her whole life
had been thrown in the most rugged sur
roundings, and I could not but wonder
how she had grown up into her seattle
less womanhood. She was a diamond in
the rough-I could see that and | gloried
in it, but how she supported herself and
why she buried herself away out in that
lonely region afar from womankind and
civilization were mysteries to us all.
Along in the summer of '83 a young
fellow from the east came to Skytown
and settled down among us. He was a
pale, sickly looking individual, slightly
built, had blue eyes, curly yellow hair
and wore goggles. He was very refined
in his language and dress, and carried
himself with such a scholarly air that
he was Immediately christened PRO
lessor" His father, he told me, had
sent him west for his health. He had
come to Dakota with the avowed inten-
ton Of roughing it, and wanted me to
advise him the proper method for seeing
the greatest amount Of pioneer life in
the shortest possible time. / advised
him to take up a claim, roll up his
sleeves and do rs we Dakotans did. He
followed my advice to the letter. / in
troduced him to Charley Atwood, and
he purchased of him the REIMBURSEMENT
of a fine quarter of ground, three miles
from town, remodeled the shack a little
to suit his convenience, and started in
to experience Dakota life. In some man
ner he became acquainted with Nance
Williams, and they grew to be steadfast
friends. I knew their friendship was
warm, but did not dream it was SO
strong as after events proved.
One night, about 8 or Q o'clock, Nance
Williams came into the store. She did
not show much excitement, but her eyes
blazed ia q manner that evidenced hel
feelings. She approached me and said
in a low tone:
sid Like ter speak with you, Mr.. Bar
low"
She looked sideways at two or three
loafers in the store, and | knew she de-
sired to see me privately. ! was some
what surprised, but conducted her to my
little cubby hole of an office.
what DO you suppose Rice Fielding,
Tom Jenkins an all that gang are goin
ter do tonight"
Her voice shook with passion.
sI cannot imagine, Miss Williams
said / in a tone of alarm.
They're over at Spangler's plottin' tc
beat the professor out O his claim!
.sYou don't tell mel"
ST do, though. You see, the professor
is out o. town an that gang knows it, SC
they're goin' to try an steal his place."
sBut they CAN'T
"They say they can. They say they'll
Ky IL al give th0 tSh0OAloOs DA6 oNoAo'
anyway. Why. I v heard of such
an outraged"
.How do they intend to go to work tc
get the professors claim?"
II heard EN- talkin' it all over. Said
they'd take along q key o whisky an
move into his shack an stay there
They're goin' up tonight. They wont
have any time tomorrow, cause the pro
fessorll get back then. You know, h
went to Jimtown Tuesday. Can't you
do somethin', Mr.. Barlow"
ssThe law won't uphold them, Miss
She snapped her fingers.
ssThat for the lawl l tell you thes,
fellers sha'n't get into the professor
shack If / can help it."
She drew herself together like an an
CRY Amazon, and her eyes were twir
Goals of fire.
II beg of you don't be rash, Miss Will
Jams. Remember"-
There came a chorus Of yelis from
Spangler's. Nance Williams listened
moment.
"Hear that" she said harshly; ''they'r
gettin' ready to go. It's time | WA NOV
in. You mark my words, Mr.. Barlow
the professors claim is safe W. Name
Williams says So"
She rushed out of the store and ava,
into the night. A few minutes after
horse came past at lightning speed, will
MadcaD Nance crouching low in the sad