Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-03-01

gencies, honest beyond q doubt, no
body when his services were not needed.
A nobody? Who was there that did not
respect and care for him? His energy
was proverbial; his freedom of speech,
his easy ways and cordial familiarity
made all lose sight of his superior ex.
cellence for the moment; but when
differences arose between our comrades
he soon took the bull by the horns and
smoothed matters over. He kept our
campfire free from disorders and
quarrels by the mere force Of his under
standing of human nature. Often he
picked up other quarrels, getting the
parties down on him for interfering;
then with an adroit word or two made
the whole affair end in shouts Of merri-
ment and q general chase after him to
pay him for his audacity. He was sell
dom caught, and generally knew how to
circumvent his boisterous friends. In
difficulties and management he was q
born leader among men; he seemed to
fall easily into place in a natural
way. None would have suspected his
powers until the occasion came; then 1t
was he became o prime mover and q
master spirit.
Charlie reached the trading post, and
this was his story:
"You see, boys, after / turned the
corner the old mule, Jim, as usual be-
gan to kick up his tricks. Two or three
times had to dismount and arrange the
pack-saddle; beyond this nothing Of
consequence happened on the road un-
til reached the traders, old Beeswax,
and made my purchases. Then / packed
the goods and paid my bill with our
gold dust, after which lolled about a
bit and ate my lunch, while the store
keeper disappeared out to the rear Of tho
tent. The only person saw about the
place was chap fast asleep on bench
outside. When the mules were packed
and when / left he was in the same
place.
"After. travelling slowly good mile
saw about dozen men coming over the
road shouting. They soon overhauled
me and told me / must go back again;
SO l just said: What for? What's up
now?
| zone Of them said: You'll find out
soon enough when you get there They
took my mules by the head and turned
them about, marching me off with them.
"When we got pretty close to the tent
/ saw about twenty men gathered to-
gether, and / heard one of them say:
They've got the Teller. guess he'll re-
pent before he gets through with u.s.
"They unpacked my mule, opened my
packages and scattered them about,
without finding any thing; then one big
burly fellow came up to me rather
roughly and ordered me to take of that
red shirt looked at him all over, and
then ! said: Hold on o moment, will
yer; what does all this mean? don't
want no fooling around me; you had
betser understand that
taking me unawares, half q dozen
Of the fellers grabbed me from behind,
laid me on my back before l could re-
sist, and then they searched my person.
Finding nothing, they looked rather
foolish, as I thought. The spectators
had now increased somewhat, and was
placed under guard. The crowd began
to discuss the affair, and soon / heard
voices calling for Judge Lynch and
twelve jurymen.
after this l was led into the circle
that had been formed and stood before
the court. The Judge, he looked at me
very severely, with his eyebrows lower
ing. With a bass voice put on for the
occasion he growled out: What did you
do with the gold dust you stole from the
storekeeper"
This made me angry, and replied:
You or any other man that says l stole
Is liar
"'That's enough; we don't want to
hear no more from the culprit in the
court at present. Fetch along the wit
nesses.
1.-THE storekeeper swore he left me
alone in the tent, and that when he re-
turned he missed his gol1 dust; that /
had disappeared. and ha went out front.
Finding q man fast asleep on the bench
he awoke him to tell of his loss, and to
hunt up some Of the nearest miners to
help catch the thief. 4 believe that's
the chap standing there (poin ting to
mel.
THE sleepy man testified in corrobo-
ration Of the facts as stated; then the
party who went after me made their
statements, slightly exaggerated, un-
favorable to me- / tried to get in q
word or two in my defense, but was told
to hold my tongue.
'Mr. knight, towny Of mine, rode
up on horseback and spoke few words
in my favor, saying there must be some
mistake in the matter, that he had
known me for years, and that ! was
above suspicion. His testimony was
valueless, and he was looked upon with
doubts ms to his character. Fortunately