Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-08-18
THIRST FOR BLOOD.
Curious Experience of n Man Forced
Enerv "A nlakAl

Curious Experience OF Man Forced to
Garry u Pistol.
We were sitting beside the great stone
fireplace in the Clarendon hotel at the
gold camp of Cripple Creek, Col, writes
John Spears, talking of the various
phases Of mining camp life and the pc
culiarities of mountain towns, when
remarked that the only way to make
such town absolutely unique was to
make 1t dry in the Kansas or Iowa
sense. At that Harry Wilson, of the
Rock Island Railroad Co, who was sit
ting next to me, said:
DRY towns in the west are not so
scarce as you would imagine. In Colo
RADIO they are called local option towns.
Communities can vote for the suppress
sion of the liquor traffic If they will,
and that reminds me of n curious expe-
rience one Of our agents had some years
ago in such q town. The story illus
trates phase of human nature in
way that think will interest you.
1.-The town was so completely opposed
to the liquor traffic that every officer of
the law-mayor, justice of the peace,
policemen, constable, deputy sheriff,
and so on-was a rank prohibitionist,
or at least pretended to be; neverthe-
less remnant loved wine and beer and
took whisky when the lighter drinks
failed. Naturally they ordered goods
from wholesale dealers elsewhere and
had them shipped over our road. Nat
urally, too, some on getting the goods
sold them to personal acquaintances-
did the bootleg trade, you know. To
stop this trade officers of the law kept
an eye on all packages arriving by
freight, and, of course, sometimes made
mistakes-seized the wrong goods, to
the annoyance of the patrons of
the duty of our agent there to enforce
the local law; it was his duty to protect
our patrons from annoyance. An order
was issued by the company directing
him to deliver all goods to consignees
only, and to keep pail other persons from
the freighthouse and platform.
"a short time after this policeman
who has been selected for the post be-
cause his record seemed to point him
out as well fitted for the place, came on
the platform after a train arrived and
began examining packages. The agent
told him courteously to leave. The po-
liceman refused, and after some words
the agent kicked him off Both men
went for their guns on the instant, but
the agent got the drop, and the police
man had to take a sneak.
'That evening friends came to the
agent and told him that the policeman
had sworn revenge at the first opportu-
nifty. The policeman had in his time
shot two men and slashed third with
knife. Moreover. he was an officer OF
the law and in case he killed the agent
could very readily claim that it was in
the discharge of his duty and secure an
acquittal. 1t was a serious matter.
The agent was advised to apply at once
to be transferred to another station.
''He says now that as he listened to
the advice a creepy sensation came over
him from his feet up; sensation oil
genuine fear, but his pride was toe
strong to let him go away, and buckline
on q revolver he told his friends hi
would stay. Thereafter he never left
his bedroom or walked the streets with
out it.
''At first he had but one thought il
the matter-he must keep sharp look
out to save his life. But very soon ;
feeling of indignation came to join the
feeling of apprehension. 1t was al
outrage that he should be compelled t.
carry weapon in such manner. ThC
indignation grew; the policeman de
served death for his threats. TIT
agent had never avoided the policeman
but now he began to take little pain
to meet him just to see what he would
do. A little later the Indignation hat
grown to hate, and he not only sough
the officer, but sneercd in his face
devilishly eager to have a gesture o
movement made that would serve TO
an excuse for opening the fight, HI
had carried a pistol at first to save hi
own life, but he had developed thirs
for blood that was rapidly bccomin;
uncomfortable. He was saved frou
numbering the officer, perhaps in coli
blood, by an order transferring hin
elsewhere. He had become so cage
that he protested against the change
But he had to submit
within moth after he had begun
work elsewhere the feeling was gone
and he was overwhelmed with aston
ishment as he recalled his mental con
dition so short time before. l know
him to be man who loves peace II
has no desire now to harm in any wa
that policeman, and yet l should b
very sorry to have the two meet agair
for l have no doubt the agent woul
kill him on the slightest provocation.
IN. Y. Sun.