Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-04-18

N !: ::::: 3: 3: :; &: Is: rs : f:
ET-Cz Sy{=$ T9A left their ii e t
~ G>Sx55@a@~eszzzS>fYF homes in the older
" * ~ States and sought
~ N M the wild West in a
IL Eg8CE II N pure spirit of adven-
w %19 ~ Eture. Most Of these
@7szlz5zIS1 ~ men, though brave
to a fault, were
peaceably inclined, and rarely partici-
pated in those brawls and ARRAYS
which are of such frequent occurrence
in frontier communities. Unfortunate
ly there were others who we're never so
happy as when engaged in knOck-dOwn
arguments or shooting scrapes. To ter
rOrize town or a neighborhOOd was
their delight. These were the "bullies,
the "desperadOes, the "terrOrs," as
they were VariOusIY 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 d brutal and unprOvOked murder
was committed at old Fort Des MOines
by a 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
We're honest plainsmen, Big Sam was
a ru1fian Of the most pronounced type,
and was never so we'll satisfied as when
bullying some inoffensive stranger.
His latest victim had been q young
man from Ohio but lately arrived in
the country. Refusing to dance in a
tsaloOn for Big Sans amusement, and
calling him a cOWardlY rutfian when
the bully threatened him, was sufIi-
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
RED things too far, and that vengeance
was about to be visited on him by
q neighbOring vigilance committee,
Big Sam fed 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 no 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. He was nervy and grit
clear through, and he would go two or
three miles any night to spin a mar
velous 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.
1t would be q pile in our pockets if we
did, but it's most too risky a Job for
me-"
Eyes, remarked his companion, "a
fellow might get him, aud again he
might not; but L would like to see him
punished for so cOwardly and unprO-
Voked 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 thu
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, he 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 fit 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 ask" said
Jack.
agreed" said one of the men, "but
lust 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.
He was forthwith deputlzed, and PIN
ming a star on his vest underneath his
coat, he crossed the street and walked
into the saloon which Big Sam had
entered q while before. Stepping to
5he bar, he called for the drinks, then
iemarking in casual way that he did
lot like to drink alone, he turned