The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-05-31
SHERIFF JACKS STORY.

Oh ERIrH JAIN D OlUhls
When / found that 1 would have to
wait several hours at Powderville for my
train l wondered how could manage to
pass away the time.
1t was rather dull for an hour or SO,
until met Sheriff Jack.
We introduced ourselves. The sheriff
saw that was a stranger, and having
nothing to do he proceeded TO entertain
me.
had heard strange stories Of lawless
deeds in Buckshot county-stories in
which Sheriff Jack figured conspicuously,
and as we lounged in the shade in front
of the court house found myself asking
questions rather freely.
My companion was not at all reticent.
After he had pumped me to his satisfac-
tion he began to talk about Buckshot
county and its noted characters.
1t was very pleasant to rest there in
the shade, watching the sturdy six footer
as he whitfield pine shingle, and it was
equal to an Arabian Nights Entertain
ment to listen to some of his yarns,
The county, if what heard was true,
was a rough locality. Human life was
not held at a very high estimate. Some
times duels were fought, and long stand
ing feuds between families occasionally
resulted in bloody tragedies.
While we were talking young man,
whose pale, sad face and glittering eyes
instantly drew my attention. walked out
Of the court house and made his way
down the street.
"Thet's Bob Ransom" said the sheriff
in a low tone, with significant nod of
his head.
'And what is her" 1 asked; zone of
your lawyers or merchants"
"Oh, no-jest a planter like most of
u.s."
Anything remarkable"
"Yas-bet yer life thar is-hes Yam
kee, yer know"
"Never heard of him." replied brisk
ly; "but why is Yankee remarkable"
Eyer don't quite ketch ON, answered
Sheriff Jack. "Thet Yankee thar has
killed six niggers."
"Did he blow them up with dynamite?"
asked laughing, for / did not believe
the tale.
The sheriff looked at me with frown.
'Mebbe yer calls sich as that er jokin'
matter" he said.
hastened to assure him that he was
mistaken, and begged him to tell me all
about 1t.
Eyer see" said he, "this young feller
Ransom has killed six niggers that we
know Of, and how many more the Lord
only knows"
"Has he been triedP"
"Tried fur whut2" inquired the sheriff.
"For murder"
"No, and amt ergwine ter be-"
"Has he been arrestedS'
Arrested fur whutg"
"Do you mean to tell me" said, "that
the authorities have made no effort to
bring him to justiceS"
"Thet's bran new way of putting it."
replied Sheriff Jack "but thet's about
the Size of it"
was silent a full minute. Then I
spoke up.
"Did Ransom kill those men because
they attacked him, or In fight, or how?"
He jest hunted 'em down one by one
an killed 'em."
"Mr. Jack, " exclaimed, 81 cannot un-
derstand such q state of affairs. Why
don't you arrest the manT
The sheriff's eyes grew misty, and he
wiped away something like tear.
"Cunnle," he whispered, hosrsely, ''Td
resign fust. Besides, have no call ter
act. The grand jury has found no in
dictment. Thar's no warrant out. /
never saw Ransom fire a shot We jest
know in reason thet he done the job but
thet's ali. We amt got no pint blank
evidence. an we don't want none"
"It will hurt the county"
"Not by durn sight. 1t will help it,"
Then Sheriff Jack told me all about the
sad business.
Robert Ransom had come TO Buckshot
county with his young wife from the
north, and had made his home on q
plantation.
The Ransoms in a quiet way made il
understood from the arst that they were
going to carry out their own peculiar
IDEAS They hired large number Of ne
groes and treated them just as they would
have treated 80 many whites. They paid
them good wages monthly in cash, loaned
them money, worked them eight hours q
day and gave them frequent holidays.
The young couple were so pleasant and
attractive, so honest In their views and
80 full of good fellowship that their neigh,
bOrs were very friendly with them. Oo,
oasionally the older citiEens warned them
that they were making mistake, and
that their negroes would give them trou,
BILE.
But the Ransoms laughed at all this
They said that kindness was bound tc
win, and they believed that putting the
negroes on footing with the whites
would stimulate them TO do better work
and make them more faithful.
II was suggested one day to Ransom
that 1t was risk to leave his wife alone
on the plantation when he went tO town,
The young man laughed the idea tc
SoOrn.
my policy makes US safe" he said
"My negroes are bound TO me by the tiei
Of gratitude and friendship. They would
die In our defense"
One day In the summer Ransom had
TO go 10 town on business. Just before
he started his wife, pretty, fragile little
thing, put her arm around his neck, anC
begged him TO return early.
'Bless my lifel believe you are sfraidI
said Ransom.
II feel nervous answered his wife. ."
don't know what Is the matter with Ae
but am strangely depressed. All tn
house servants are going on to caml
meeting and shall be alone. Now, tr!
70 Eet home before dark, please"
Ransom promised. and kissed her, AZ,