The Washington critic., 1890-03-26
sHEET-IRoN JACK.
The Career of Famous Desperate of
California


There is no part of the State more
prolific in mountain terror" stories
than the region that lies under the
shadow of Shasta, says the Ocerlbn6
Koahy
Shcet-Iron Jack, years ego, became
known as the most expert horse thief
In this region. On one occasion he
threw his pursuers off the track, as.
sumed some apt disguise, met the
Sheriff's posse, delighted them with
songs and stories, stayed with them mt
little village on the Sacramento, in
the only hotel the place afforded, and,
beds being scarce, slept with the Sheriff.
During the night he arose, slipped out
OF the room and drove knife into the
dOor-post, so as to hold the Sheriff inn
prisOned in case he awoke. A few
minutes later he was mounted on the
best horse in the Sheriir's party, aud
was leading two others. The rest he
drove TO the river and into the willows
and swampy bottoms.
The following incident was told by
one of the principal actors. 1t hap
pened one August some twenty-five
years ago: A young German had spent
hlbSt VI LIS ulOuty lbI ~ llUG uOTSB anu
riding outfit, and started from Sacra-
mento to ride to Portland, Ore, He was
in Northern Shasta when his horse
began to go lame, and in an hour could
hardly put one foot before another. The
German was young, excessively ignorant
about horsellesh, and had not unwar-
raDted impression that most people
managed sooner or later to swindle him.
So w hon hic bOrcn want lu,tn bo I,oc.o,,
to feel that the honest old farmer of
whom the purchase was made had sold
him q worthless animal. He had in
vested $3.50 in the creature, and now,
perhaps, it was not worth 500.
About this time a benevolent old
| mountaineer came along and the Ger
man appealed to him about "dot horse"
The old mountaineer was one of the
shrewdest of horse traders, and after q
long examination he pronounced 1t
severe case of founder.
No good, that morse, for q year.
Turn him out to pasture. And he
won't be the same horse ag'in, even
then"
what shall do?' cried the tender.
foot.
After long talk the trader offered
the German $50 for the horse, saying
that with he could make him worth
! $50, but that foundered horse was
| practically worthless, except for little
| farm work.
The ignorant German consented, took
the money, handed over the horse, took
his saddle and started to walk to the
nearest stage station. The sharper
waited until his dupe was out of sight.
hn ntr Nf Olrnx,,, . y, ,f-
pinceTs from his saddle bags, and in
five minutes had wrenched off all four
Of the new steel shoes from the h0rse 8
| hoofs. In half an hour the animal be-
gan to walk easily.
Thar, thought sO," he muttered.
Tight shod by some valley fool of
blacksmith, that's all. Lord, / wish |
could find such durn fool every day."
The German walked along for several
hours, more and more suspicious about
his late friend, and slowly discovering
that even lame horse was better than
no horse at all. Suddenly man rode
out of the bushes and demanded where
in the devil was his horse
He told his story briefly and mourn
FULLY, more than ever certain that it had
two sides. The man listened atteutiyely,
broke into fits of laughter, sitting side
wise or his great brown horse and pull
ling at his black moustache. lie began
to ask questions. When was the horse
shod last, and where? Then he asked
more questions about the aged and be-
nevolent stranger. Finally he said:
you've been swindled. This is my
beat, so | suppose Imust help you out.
You walk up the creek till you come
| IN al ,l,,;n
beef. Then you lie down and so to
sleep"
Some time within the next six hours
Sheet Iron Jack overhauled the new
owner Of the horse and leveled u pistol
at his head.
"You made mistake little while
ago, Phillips (For he knew the old
mountaineer very well) "You OBJ
tanned my German friends horse on
false pretenses-you Psychological
about it. Now climb down and climb
on your own plug"
Phillips looked at the pistol, then at
the horse, then at his own pistol.
Don't be fool, old man..
"But oughter have back that $50
paid that Internal Dutchman."
my honest friend, that goes for my
| lawyer lccS.
Phillips lost his temper and swore
roundly, but it was a foolish proceed
ing, for Jack replied calmly
After all, lawyers take all there is
to be had; turn out your pockets, you
old horse doctorr' And he took $500
from the trembling and conquered
sharper, surveyed him minute, tossed
him back half of 1t and rode back.
The young German was reused after
while by Jacks return. Here S
your horse and outfit" he said "Ive
put some dried meat in your saddle bag
and here's pistol. If another black.
smith lanes your horse pull on him.
That's a good horse. Don't you come
back this way or shall probably take
1t myself. And don't you tell about
this or you'll be laughed at. The S30?-
tain't mine; I've got my own fees out
I u \