New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-21
HOW JOSEPHUS SAVED our SCALPS.
WILD WEST GOAT on THE wARPATH-soMB
OF HIS FRANKS.

"Josephus' character. Now. although
Josephls was a character. tho innocence of his ex-
preston and the subducd manner IN which he Waiked
about among the tents and cabins of llari Pan
BOTTOM continually got him into trouble as well as
those temporarily associated with him. Hald Fan
Bottom rough mining camp in the Black HIS
and the companions of Josephus were for the most
part reflex of the landscape, hard-lookng and
~roclyn How Josephus received his name no one
in camp knew It was said to have come natral"
He had long grayish beard, exceedingly prominent
ears and great curved horns. In fact Josephts was
a weLdeveloped Rocky Mountain goat
The "bOys, all liked JOsephus, that is, after they
had made his acquaintance and introduced their
friends. This latter operation was always productive
Of much mirth to the mutual friend" and consisted
I'm entlcmg some new conner to meet " The judge
The meeting usually took place in front of Buckeye
Smiths pizen' shop Joscphus entered into the spirit
of the affair with great gusto and failed to make
hit with the public. The operation consisted In es-
corting the victim TO Buckeyes shanty and engag-
ing him In conversation, while the Judge as he
was ncknamed was sent for. During the converse
ton process piece OF rcd flannel was pinned to the
waistband OF the "ncw boy Ono or two shrill
whistles generally brought J0sephus on the double
ouIcl and # was without in the least slackening his
lace that he made Decline for the red rag and the
CONSEQUENCE was that the acquaintance invariably
measured his length on the ground and he scrambled
mon his hands and knees, again laid low; and
so II continued until the rag removed or Josephus
asked TO have a drink During the ceremony OF In
PRODUCTION cries of Here's the Judge" Mr.. Jones,
Mr. Joscphus! "Shake hands with him. pard ~ " BE
respectful stranger!7 and similar remarks, accom-
panied by shouts OF laughter were banded about by
tbe delighted spectators, while the yels and pistol
shots helped to bring the surprised stranger to a
demoralized condition of abicct fear. He then stood
treat to the crowd.
The beard Of Josephus was a continual soure oil
ANNOYANCE to him. as the miners enjoyed pulling 1t
To provoke It's owner fight. 1880 a.,
During the early morning. before dayllght, IN INC
tent of Yellow Mike" the boys first realized the
value Of Joscphus. A party had all the night Oeen
dcvotng their energies % the noble game Oh poker
and 10 discussing the Indian outbreak when suddenly
lust outside there dull thud, blood cuTullng
veil another thud. another Shrek and through me
eide of the tent In all the hdeousness OF his war
naint hmbed fill.fedged Indian brave, while cspse
Lchind came Josephus. All hands sprang 10 Their
feet revolvers were drawn, the Indian was killed ana
The camp aroused, Just In time for already were he
war-whoops sounding and rifles cracking IL was Only
after three hours OF hard fighting that the attack was
rrnlsed when the surprise having failed the saVagS
drew of As for Josephus, he received the RANK oi
Colonel. although more often spoken Oh as Inc spy
Killer But Josephus did not long live to ENJOY
his bonors Unlimited " ret eye whiskey was 700
much for his constitution and he died fighting magin
arv Indians The entire camp attended the FUNERAL
which was pronounced to be the most heightened on
record in the county.