The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-25
TIE TAVERN.

! Michigan, as 4 territory. and even in its
younger days as a state, was a resort for
some of the most noted criminals Of the
age. Separated from Canada by a river
which could be easily crossed, a vast viii
derness affording protection to gangs and
bands, the towns and villages far apart,
railroads and telc graph lines hardly dream
ed of, the territory for years contained
more rogues than honest men. A man
could commit almost any crime and be safe
from arrest by crossing into Canada. Rob-
berries could be committed in the barns
and murder on the highway, and the Grim
inals had only TO seek the sw9mps and for
ests to escape. The officers Of the law were
few in number, were intimidated and over
awed by the rascals, and each traveller and
settler understood that he must look to his
own knife and pistol TO protect himself
In the year 1882 my uncle, Silas Wright,
living in Chenango county, y. Y, decided
TO make trip to MicLigan, with a view
TO settling there. He had a family, and
was a man Of considerable means. He was
a stout, hearty man, who had made his
property By Eard work, and he was Just
the man who would defend his means with
his life, If occasion required.
He reached Detroit without adventure
and after spending a day or two in the city
TO make inquiries ne determined to travel
into the interior and look up some land.
He had about a thousand dollars with him,
mostly in bank notes, and he took
friends warning and purchased a pair Of
double barreled pistols and good knife.
He learned from the newspapers and from
citizens that many lawitss characters were
prowling about the interior of the terri
tory, and his Irepara' ions were only
matter of prudence. ! have cften heard
him tell of what befell hiil on his trip, and
j now let him tell it to the reader.
81 left Detroit in company with man
named David Comstock, from Ohio, who
was in the territory on the same mission
TO locate a farm for himself After max
ing due inquiries, and learning that some
very choice government land could be
found by travelling northeast we took our
departure on foot II was in September
The roads were in bad condition, and we
believed that we coald get along better on
foot than with saddle horses, especially as
we might have trouble in finding proven
der for the beasts and as we would now
and then want to leave the road, which
ran northeast and was little better than
path. The trees had been cut down in
some places, 10 make a highway some
thirty feet wide, and again the pa,h wound
among the trees 50 that tine passage of a
vehicle would have been an impossibiIity.
There was not a BRIDE on the route, and
the cabins Of the settlers were sometimes
miles apart All the goods and proyis-
ions taken in had TO be packed on horses
Or carried on the backs of the settlers"
q stop nay uncle 10 say that ,his road is
now great avenue, paved anu planked,
and runs through two OF the finest coun-
ties in the state.
"Comstocl haG about $500 with him.
The money was all in gold, in five and ten
dollar gold pieces, and he had it tied up in
C handkerchief and thrust into his bosom.
he was armed with single barreled pistol
only, not having so much as a jackkuiie
besides. So far as / could judge he was not
the man for an emergency, having but
little confidence in lis pistol, and none at
ali in himself lie had heard of the horse
thieves, counterfeiters and desperadoes we
should DO likely to encounter, and we had
hardly lost sight 81 the city when be began
to express his fears that we were unwise in
making the trip.
During tae forenoon we met several
hunters and quite a number Of settlers,
most Of them on their way into Detroit.
Every man carried rife, most of them
pistol and knife and all were uncouth and
savage looking in our eyes. We had started
out soon after O'Clock, and despite the
bad condition Of the path, for a part of the
way. had made a distance Of thirteen miles
when we sat down on "a log TO eat our din
DER. We had provided ourselves with dried
beef crackers. cheese and other articles,
enough TO last for two or three days, ana
each of Us had stout blanket, being
warned that we might have 10 depend on
ourselves for provisions and lodgings.
I'VE had passed at least beyond two
miles of civilization. and just previous to
eating had been told by traveller that we
would not find another cabin for five miles.
We had seen no land to suit Us as yet and
were determined not TO end our trip until
we had seen the fine timbered country
which was SAID go lie awaiting purchasers
and settlers withfs two days tramp of De
troit.
After satisfying our hunger, and while
was gathering up and packing away the
remains of the meal, C0nsrock discovered
that his money was not securely tied mp,
aud be drew out his handkerchief 10 retie
the knot. He knew that had money. l
knew of his gold, and 30 he dad not hesi-
tate to unfold the handkerchief and eN-
hibit the bright yellow pieces, which looked
truly tempting in the September sunlight.
"'Thats fair share OF gold for man
to carry around in the woods. / hain't seed
so much for a year
1--WE looked up to find a man standing
], Z Ar-s-, 90 ~ sNE
fellow, with long red hair. red beard all
over his face, and q pair of eyes which
would not have been out Of place in the
head OF a wolf
He stood leaning on a heavy rife, and
his appearance Petrihed Us for a moment.
He must have been watching us for some
time from behind some OF the large trees,
and had taken advantage Of the moment
when we bent over the gold 20 step out
aud come nearer.
Ny hand went UP 10 nay breast and
pulled at the hut of one of tie pistols, but
, deyilish smile showed itself in The strsn
gers eyes. lie lifted us rife . little, and
remarked:
" None O. that, stranger. l kin put
bullet into your eye before You sit that
plaything bslf ready 70 shoot
no are You, a-u what 90 yea want
Inquired, considerably excited and not II
all liking the fellows words and looks.
"'kz % thac' lac ~epl'sd, crinping like
baooon aid lowering his rife again, IT'S
none o. yer business, but doa't rlird tell
ing We. i ar called Haak Williams by
some, an others cal me what they please.
don't Einerally tel my business to stran-
gers, but IN tais case ar free 10 say that
goes where ! likes, GENES when wish.
end stnYs ez lrny e. car to-