Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-03-20

10 u ldu1by nCiO
peaceably inclined, and rarely partici-
pated in those brawls and affrays
which are of such frequent occurrence
in frontier communities. Unfortunate
ly there were others who were never so
happyas when engaged in knock down
arguments or shooting scrapes. 10 ter
rorize q town or a neighborhood was
their delight. These were the "bullles, "
the "desperadoes, the "terrors," as
they were variously characterized. II
was one of these pests of good society
that has prompted the penning of this
little sketch.
Shortly after the admission of the
State a brutal and unprovoked murder
was committed at old Fort Des Moines
by a notorious desperate known as Big
Sam.
Big Sam was one of many of that
class who spent their summers In the
mountains and drifted back to the
border of civilization to spend their
winters. While the majority of them
were honest plainsmen, Big Sam was
a ruffian Of the most pronounced type,
and was never so well satisfied as when
bullying some inoffensive stranger.
His latest victim had been young
man from Ohio but lately arrived in
the country. Refusing to dance in a
saloon for Big Sans amusement, and
calling him cowardly ruffian when
the bully threatened him, was sutfi-
Gent TO raise Big Sans anger to the
killing point, and he shot the young
man dead on the spot.
Realizing that for once he had car
ried things too far, and that vengeance
was about to be visited on him by
a neighboring vigilance committee,
Big Sam fed to the then strag-
Cling village of Council Bluffs.
The news of his crime soon followed
him. and also the announcement that
the Governor had offered a reward OF
$500 for his arrest.
Several local officers attempted his
arrest without success, for he was very
watchful and suspicious of all who ap-
preached him. Besides, he had badly
wounded one officer who had attempted
his arrest. The desperate was dis.
turbed no more after this third attempt,
and he became quite bold and full Of
swagger.
Stopping at the De Koven House in
Council Bluffs at the time was a man
who, like Big Sam, wintered in the
settlements and summered in the
mountains.
Unlike Big Sam, Old Jack was nc
desperate. He was nervy and gil
clear through, and he would go two oil
three miles any night to spin mar
yelous warn OF border adventure, tC
some company of westward bound emf
grants. OF. do them kindness.
Old Jack was seated in the bar-room
of the hotel one morning when a couple
of officers came in. As they stepped
up to the bar one of them remarked
Il wish we could take that fellow
1t would be a pile in our pockets If W.
did. but it's most too risky job TO
me-
ayes" remarked his companion, q
fellow might get him, and again h'
might not: but / would like to see hin
punished for so cowardly and unpro
voked a murder as that was.
"Who is it you are talking about ?
asked Old Jack, rising and walking
toward a window looking out on tn
street.
why, Big Sam, of course, was tn
reply. There he goes, now, into tina
saloon over across the street.
Old Jack glanced across the stree
and saw the burly figure of Big San
enter the saloon and pass toward tn
bar.
well, he don't look like such an av
full bad man; what has he done ?" aske'
Jack.
Thereupon one of the officers brief
outlined the crime for which Big SaT
was wanted.
well, fellow that would kill an
other that way amt fit to run loose
just you deputize me, and if l don
get him for YOU just see that l get
decent plantin'; that's all ask, sal
Jack.
Agreed said one Of the men, "br
inst remember the risk you run, an
Won are under no obligations to do it.
Never mind that, only give me tt
papers." replied old Jack.
He was forthwith deputized, and PHI
ming q star on his vest underneath b
coat. he crossed the street and Wake
into the saloon which Big Sam hs
entered a while before. Stepping
the bar. he called for the drinks, the
remarking in casual way that he d
not like to drink alone, he turne