Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-04-26

- to fault, were
peaccably inclined, and rarely pHrtici-
pated in those brawls aud ARRAYS
which are of such frequent occurrence
in frontier communities. Unfortunate
ly there were others who were never so
happy as when engaged in knock down
arguments or shooting scrapes. Toter-
rorize town or a neighborhood was
| their delight. These were the DULLES,
the "desperadoes, the "terrors," rs
they were 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 unprovoked 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 ruf1fan of the most pronounced type,
|
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
saloon for Big Sans amusement, and
calling him cowardlv rufiian when
the bully threatened him, was suffi-
cicnt to raise Zig 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
a 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 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
swnggcr.
Stopping Mt the De Koven House in
Council Bluffs at the time was man
who, like Big Sam, wintered in the
settlements and summcred in the
mountains.
Unlike Big Sam, Old Jack was no
desperate. He was ncrvy and e i.
clear through. and he would go two OF
thee miles any night to spin 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 couple
Of officers came in. As they stepped
up to the bar one of them remarked
Il wish we could take that fellow.
1t would be a pile in our pockets if we
did, but it's most too ri,ky a job for
me-"
"Yes," remarked his companion. "a
fellow might get him, and again he
might not; but l would like to see him
punished for so cowardly and unpro-
yoke1 mm1er as that Was"
who is it yon are talking about 2"
asked Old Jack, rising and walking
toward n 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 tho
bar.
well, he don't look like such an aw-
full bad man; what has he done?" sked
Jack.
Thcreupon one of the officers briefly
outlined the crime for which Big Sam
was wanted.
We'll, q fellow that would kill an
other that way amt fit to run loose.
just you deputlZe me, and If L don't
get him for You just see that / get a
decent plantin'; that's all 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.
lie WAS loIlH"ltl ueputlfeu, anu pm
ming a star on bis 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 like to drink alone. he turned
toward the man seated at the stove
and said: Come up, stranger, and
drink with me-"
Il don't care if I do" responded Big
Sam, as he arose and staggered up to
the bar.
They both drained their glasses. As
old Jack put his hand down to return
to his pocket the change he had re-
ceived from the bartender, he let the
money fall to the floor and, dexterous-
" whipping out his pistol, he had Big
Sam, who was leaning back against
the bar watching him closely, covered
before he realized what was coming.
Throw up YOUR hands, and be quick