Mohave County miner., 1891-01-24
CAPT. scorT AND THE 6ooss
The True Story Told for the frst Time
North of tho Potomac.

Il
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Probably ati Of ths readers Of the
Forest and Strsdn, sfys correspond
ent Of that paper, have heard oi me
story OF Capt. Scott and the coon' but
| win venture TO add that not one OF
them who lives north of Mason &
Dixon's line could repeat the tradition
correctly. Anyway, will tell i as
Keeper Smith narrated IL.
Capt. Martin Scott was Virginian
and az officer Of the regular army.
I The tton episode happened some time
In the year 1850, Capt. (then Lieut. }
Scott was stationed Rt Font Smith. a
frontier post on the Arkansas fiTer'
which was commanded by Capt. Brad
ford, who was the author OF the famous
story. :. was a very common recre-
alton for Scott 10 shoot the darling
chimney swallow on their darling,
erratIc flight with bullet from his
long Kentucky rifle. This Is degree
Of skill almost incredible. for there are
few shots OF the present day who can
kill three out OF iFe with the improved
breech.loader. Lieut.. Scotts boon
companion was Quartermaster Swear
lngen, who, like many other amateurs.
imagined that the rifle was bound To
kill Something when he was al the big
end OF IL. He was great admirer OF
the Iieutenant's sporting gifts, and
loved 10 bash under the luster of his
companions great skill,
One day dog treed coon Ia tail
cOttoffwood tree down ia the lowiands.
a short distaues from the fort. and the
dog not being able TO climb the tree
commenced barking 10 attract some
ones attention. The story gees that
the coon, sitting in a crack OF llmb
looking down iu supreme contempt at
his four-footed foe. at last growing
tired of the monotonous yelping. hall
ed The dog and told him 10 shut his
iaw-that biz hsd no intention OF COM
Ing down. This made the dog more
angry and he continued bis yelPlng.
Again the coon called to him Ironical-
ly and advised him not to break
blood vessel, aud the coon was SO
pleased with his joke that he wrapped
his tall around limb, and swung him-
self in the air, aud laugs"d until ne
showed every tooth 10 his head. ou
will laugh OH the wrong side OF your
mouth soon." howlcd the dog; ''and
here comes one who will make you do
it. you thieving. chicken-stealing. car
rion-eating. loud-smelling old varminL,
you"
"Who is he. you handy legged
stump tailed. egg-sucking reptile?"
cried the coon as he repaired to the
shelter Of the tree.
'It's Lieutenant Van Sweariugen."
growled the canine.
The coou grinned until his eyes dis
appeared in bis face.
Little Van" he grunted derisively;
.'why he may shoot and be BANKED.
I'll bet my valuable hide against your
NANCY pelt that he don't get me out
OF this tree
Van Swearingen appeared sud blazcd
away at the coon. who did not even
condescend to hide behind q branch.
Having shot all of his ammunition
away the quartermaster retired in high
dudgeon. Shortly after another figure
appeared on the scene. and pouring
some fresh powder in the pan prepared
to fire.
What's his name7" inquired the
coon.
Scott" yelled the dog.
"Who?" inquired the coon. fearfully
agitated.
Lieut.. Scott bayed Il dog.
Martin Scott" squealed the animal.
I'm gone coon. Cap'n Scott Cap'n
Scott. don't tire, I'm coming down"
So saying he folded himself in ball
and dropped to the ground and yield |
cd his life to the dog without strug-
ola