Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-04-10

peaceably inclined, and rarely paftlcl-
pated in those brawls and affrays
which are of such frequent occurrence
in frontier communities. Unfortunate
" there were others who were never so
happy as when engaged in knock down
arguments or shooting scrapes. Ioter-
roriZe town or neiShborhood was
their delight These were the DULLES, J"
the "desperadoes, the "terrors," as
they We're 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 unprovohed murder
was committed at old Fort Des Moines
by 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 ruiiian Of the most pronounced type,
and was never so well 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 IL q
saloon for Big Sans amusement, and
calling him cowardly ru:fan when
the bully threatened him. was suEi-
cient 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 fled 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 APP
preached him. Besides, he had badly
wounded one officer who had attempted
his arrest The desperate was dis
turbed 10 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 no
desperate. lie was nervy and git
clear through, and he would go two or
three miles any night to spin mar
veleus 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:
L wish We could take that fellow.
It would be pile in our pockets if we
did, but its most too risky a Job for
me-
yes" remarked his companion, a
fellow might get him, and again he
might not: but | would like to see him
punished for so cowardly and unpro-
yoked a murder as that was"
who is it 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 burly figure of Big Sam
enter the saloon and pass toward the
bar.
well, lie don't look like such an aw-
full bad man; what has he done?~ asked
Jack.
Thereupon one of the officers briefly
outlined the crime for which Big Sam
was wanted.
well, a fellow that would kill an
other that way amt tit to run loose
just you deputize me, and if 1 don't
get him for you just see that l get
decent plantin'; that's all l ask, said
Jack.
agreed" said one of the men, "but
just remember the risk you run, and
You are under no obligations to do it. >
Never mind that, only give me the
papers" replied old Jack.
Hewas forthwith deputized, and PIN
ming star on his vest underneath his
coat, he crossed the street and walked
into the saloon which Big Sam had
entered while before. Stepping to
the bar, he called for the drinks, then
remarking in casual way that he did
not Ike to drink alone, he turned