The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-01
TIE PoP-EYEp GALOOT.
How a Gentleman from Arkansaw
Proved His Claim to be True.
From Californian stories

From Californian Stories
at was back in the sixties when first saw
my desperate" said the doctor. when he
came into camp didn't know whether he
was bad man or pretender in that line.
He was tall, angular, wiry and singularly
unhandsome. He wore a suit of black
broadcloth and tall hat, and was scrupu-
lousy neat in the matters of linen and per-
sonal appearance. The right leg of his
trousers was tucked into his boot and the
left leg was outside in proper style. In his
right boot he carried an enormous bowie
knife, and you could see by the set of his
frock coat over his hip that lie packed gun.
He spoke slowly and deliberately and
was punctiliouly polite. His long drawl
heightened the effect of his ceremonies
courtesy and at the same time proclaimed
him sou herner. He seldom swore and
never drank and his oalv small vice was
smoking. He occasionally referred to him
self as "a pop-eyed galoot from Arkansaw,
and he was
although my gentleman il broadcloth
was poiteneSS perSonified he was very ag-
greSsive and quick to take offense II he
heard anybody making bluff about light
ing he couldn't keep his tongue still, but
came right to the front with an offer to
fight anyhow, anywhere and any time.
Toward quiet and peaceable men he was
gravely courteous and never in the least G.
gressive, but if fighting man showed up
Gibbons was Une sly until he had driven the
fellow out of camp.
''Uf course he had to prove his claims as a
fighter before he had been in camp very
long. One evening a big fellow, bristllng
with deadly weapons, staggered into the
saloon and ordered all hands no to the bar
Everybody responded except Gibbons, who
remained seated and paid no attention to
the fellow. When the stranger turned
about and said: Come up here Pop-eye,
and take your medIcjuer Gibbons ans wered
with grave politeIessS; ] am much obliged
to YOU, sir, but l never drink
AFTER all had taken their drinks an |
walked away, Gibbons stepped up and said
to the barkeaper: Give me a cigar The
stranger turned upon him aud said: D-n
you, didn't ask you to have a cigar
"'D-n you, SIR rejoined Gibbons, 4
| didn't ask you to pay for my cigar. And,
d-n you, sir, don't you talk to M in that
way or | will cut your head off sir
"'Start right in said the stranger. I've
got a tough neck to cut But before he
| could draw a weapon my bad man in broad
cloth seized him by the hair. bent his head
back, whipped out the big oOwie and made
two lightning slashes at the fellows throat.
The point of the knife just cut the skin
enough to draw blood at each stroke.
Letting go his hold, Gibbons, drawled,
''Pve a pretty good knife for cutting,
stranger" and walk ID away, supremacy
| contemptuous Of the fellow, who sneaked
out of camp.
1.-The last time l saw Gibbons he was just
getting over a little fracas with a Mexican.
The greaser was noted knife fighter and
his presence in camp made Gibbons uneasy,
but no chance for picking a quarrel occurred.
One day Gibbons, who could endure 1t 10
longer, met the Mexican and politely asked
him if he was heel. The man replied that
he as not. VERY well, said Gibbons, go
and get your knife, because I intend to Kill
you, sir the next time have the pleasure
OF meeting you
They met within an hour. Gibbons re-
ceived thirteen wounds, all on the left side,
ald one thrust was in his thr lat, the Next
cans blade going clear through his neck.
The Mexican was killed