The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-29
SHERIFF JACKS STORY.

until | met Sheriff Jack.
We introduced ourselves. The Sher-
i'll saw that l was a stranger, and hay
ing nothing to do proceeded to enter
tain mo-
had heard strange stories Of lawless
deeds in Duckshot county-stories in
which sheriff jack figured conspicu-
ously, and as we lounged in the shade
in front OF the court house found my
selfaskings questions rather freely.
My companion was not ut all reLicent.
After he haSl pumped me TO his salts
faction he began to talk about Buck
shot county and its noted characters.
1t was very pleasant to rest there in
the shude,. watching the sturdy six
footer as he Whitfield pine single, and
it was equal to an Arabian Nights I'm
tertainment to listen to some OF his
yarns.
The country, Il what heard was true.
was a rough locality. Human lie was
not held ut II very high estimate. Some
times duels were fought, and long stand
ing feuds between families occasionally
resulted in bloody tragedies.
While We were talking q young man,
whose pale, sud face and glitterins eyes
instantly drew my attention, walked
out OF the court house and made his way
down the street.
"Thet's Bob RANSOM" said the sheriff
in low tone, with u significant nod OF
his head.
and what is he?" l ssked; zone OF
your lawyers or merclunts?"
"0h, nO-iest a planter like most oil
u.s."
"Anvthing remarkable2"
"Yas-bet yerlife thar is-he's Yam
Iee, yer know"
Never heard of him, IrepIied brisk
~; but why Isl Yankee rcmurkable?"
"Yer don't quite ketch on, answered.
Sheriff Jack. "Thet Yankee thar has
killed six niggers."
''Did he blow them up with dyna-
inite?" | asked, laughing, for l did not
believe the tale
The sheriff looked at me with frown.
"Mebbe yercalls SIGH us that or jokin'
matter" he said.
hastened TO assure him that he was
mistaken, and begged him TO tell me all
about II.
Eyer see," said he, "this young Teller
Ransom has killed six niggers that We
know Of, and how many more the Lord
only kdows."
elias he been tried?"
"Tried fur what?" inquired the sher-
i'll.
''For murder"
mo, and amt erg%iRe ter be-"
illus lie been arrestedY
ARRESTED fur what?"
DO you mean to tell me-" l said,
"that the authorities have made no eff
fort to bring him to jus ice?"
"lhats bran new way of putting
it." replied Sheriff Juck; but thet's
about The size Of it"
was silent u full minute. Then [
spoke up.
they attacked him, or in u fight, or
howT'
"iIe Just hunted 'emi down one by
one an killed EN-"
"NIr. jack / exclaimed, ~ cannot
understand such state Of affairs. Why
don't you arrest the MANI"
1.-The shcritf's eye grew misty, and he
wiped away something like tear
"Cunnie," he whispered hoarselv,
ard resign iust. Besides, | have no call
ter act. The grand jury has found no
indictment Thar's no warrant out. !
never saw Ransom fire shot. We Jest
know in reason tibet he done the job,
but thet's all. We amt got no pint
blank evidence, an we don't want
none"
ut will hurt the county"
"Not by durn sight. 1t will help
it."
Then Sheriff Jack told me all about
the sad business.
Robert Ransom had come to Buck
shot county with his young wife from
the north, Gnd had made his home OH
plantation.
The Ransoms in quiet way made it
understood from the first that they were
going to carry out their own peculiar
ideas. They hired u large number OF
negroes and treated them Just az they
would have treated so many whites.
they paid them good wages monthly in
cash, loaned them money, worked them
eight hours n day and gave them fire.
quent holidays.
The young couple were so pleasant
and attractive, so honest in their views
and so full OF good fellowship that their
ncighbors were very friendly with
them. Occasionally the older citizens
warned them that they were making a
mistake, and that their negroes would
give them trouble.
But the RansOms laughed at all this
They said that kindness was bound to
win, and they believed that putting the
negroes on II footing with the whites
would stimulate them TO do better
work and make them more faithful.
1t was suggested one day to Ransom
that it was q risk to leave his wife
alone on the plantation when he went
to town.
The young man laughed this idea to
scorn.
"Niy policy makes us safe" he said.
"My negroes are hound to me by the
ties Of gratitude and friendship. They
would die in our defense"
One day in the summer Ransom had
TO 20 to town on business. Just before
he started his wife, q pretty, fragile,
little thing, put her arm around his
neck and begged him to return early.
"Blesi my liie l believe you are
afraid" said Ransom.
II feel nervous" answered his wife.
''I don't know what is the matter with
me, but am strangely depressed. AL
the house servants are going Oft to
camp-meeting, and 1 shall be alone.
Now, try to get homo before dark,
| ulengen