Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-03-20

NJ I5sl W yture. Most of these
f49@lS[ men, though brave
49, to a fault, were
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
happy as when engaged in knock down
arguments or shooting scrapes. To ter
rorize town or a neighborhood was
their delight. These were the "bullies, "
the "desperadoes, the "teTors," as
they were variously characterized. 1t
was one of these pests of good society
that has prompted the penning of this
little sketch.
Shortly after the admission of the
State 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
rufiian of the most pronounced type,
and was never so we'll satisfied as when
bullying some inoffensive stranger.
His latest victim had been a young
man from Ohio but lately arrived in
the country. Refusing to dance in a
saloon for Big Sans amusement, and
calling him cowardly rufian when
the bully threatened him, was suii-
eient 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
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 ot
$500 for his arrest.
Several local officers attempted hi!
arrest without success, for he was very
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 O..
swagger.
Stopping at the De Koven House in
Council Bluffs at the time was mar
who, like Big Sam, wintered in the
settlements and summered in the
mountains.
Unlike Big Sam, Old Jack was no
desperate. He was nervy and glii
clear through and he would go two OF
three miles any night to spin mar
yelous yarn OF border adventure, to
some company of westward-bound emf.
grants, Or 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 pile in our pockets if we
did, but it's most too risky job for
me-"
EYES," remarked his companion, "a
fellow might get him, and again he
might not; but l would like to see him
punished for so cowardly and unpro-
yoked murder as that was"
Who is 1t you are talking about"
asked Old Jack, rising and walking
toward window looking out on the
street.
"Why, Big Sam, of course" was the
reply. "There he goes, now, into that
saloon over across the street"
Old Jack glanced across the street
and saw the burlv figure of Big Sam
enter the saloon and pass toward tbe
bar.
aWall bo dor,+ loot, ,i,,o s,o,, -,
fulbad man. What has Le doNo ', ." '',I asisad %~
Hack N'Ne'
Thereunon ono or +bo of,,oors ,,rioa,.
outlined the crime for wbinL Pic, 'eGy SalS
was wanted. '0'' l''e ''"i'
well, a fellow that wopl5 1,;u on
other tLat wav amt fl 10 run NJ ioosa sii
Just Won depiltize me, and if 7 don't
get him for Won inst see that oct y
decent planiin'. that's all | ask 3 saiI
Joc,
agreed" 3" said one of the men, "but
lust remember the risk YOU run, and