The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-03-26
A QUIET MAN.
The Bitter Experience OF n Bully wbt
Tackled Him.

bihOnH but TlNtT IlGh 10 a DAhSb VI
revelry, harbor for fugitives from the
pioneer justice of the time, and place
where physical prowess was the one
safeguard of purse or person. good
many stories cling to the spot and any
good guide can tell of battles that chill
the blood of the summer tourist For
in the days when the Dell House was
at its best great RATS logs went down
the river in charge OF gangs of men
who drank and swore and fought like
all the pirates in Algiers
Once upon time-so the guide will
tell you-Bill Endsen came down with
u raft of pine from the upper woods,
and before pushing through the narrow
gorge now 'callsd '"rhe Dells," he tied
up at the Dell House and told his men
they might stay overnight. Among the
crew was one Flintsore, n bully who
had beaten half the men in the party,
and only waited proper opportunity
before tacl1ling old Bill Endsen him
SELF and, although old Bill had for
years been called the best man on the
river, he was afraid of the savage RATS
man who fought so like tiger and
whose passion was never sated until
his victim was unconscious. Bill had
decided if ever trouble did arise between
them he would kill Flintsore with an
ax rather than meet him hand to hand.
Sitting in one corner of the Dell
house, when the noisy crew came laugh
ing and swearing in at the door, sat
short, square man with n rather large
bundle on the floor beside him. He paid
no attention to the men, and at first
they allowed him to pass unnoticed.
But as liquor stirred their blood they
grew more boisterous and invited him
to join them. He declined, and again
they gave him some moments of peace.
After IL while the widest rafter in the
party came over to the corner and asked
the quiet man what he had in his bum
die. He declined to answer, simply say
ing it was his own and that he was TAX
ing it down to Madison. The rafter was
angry and he amused himself by stand
ing across the room and tossing empty
whisky bottles at the motionless bundle
"You stop that" yelled old Bill End
sen. THE man is not bothering us and
we won't bother him"
had not yet seen so good an opportunity
to quarrel with his rival. Words could
but lead to blows with these men, They
were unarmed and there was no chance
for postponement They stepped out
side on the level, grassy plat of ground
and engaged in battle which is still
remembered by the pioneers. They
rolled over on the ground; they sent in
heavy blows; they kicked, wrestled, bit
and gouged, till old Bill was utterly
beaten and lay defenseless against the
brutal blows that fell upon him.
Flintsore desisted at last and the
other rivermen took the victim to the
river and washed his wounds,
Then Flintsore went into the house
and approached the quiet man, who
alone had not followed the fighters out
side and watched them.
"Now what have you got in that bun
dle?" he demanded.
''No matter what I've got" returned
the short man; ''it's none of your bust
| ness"
Then you get up ana fight"
"Wcll, you take an hour to rest up
and | will fight you," responded the
| quiet man; and there was that in his
eye which promised he would keep his
word. You take an hour to rest up.
Then we will go in the cellar together,
lock the door inside and throw the key
out through the bars After that, God
have mercy on the weaker man."
Flintsore was wild with delight
Here was chance for two good fights
in one day. He took drink to his own
| good luck and then stretched out on the
floor and waited.
When the hour was up the quiet man
cast one long look at his still motion
less bundle, stripped to his shirt and
led the way to the cellar The base
ment was walled with rock. The door
was heavy and strong. The windows
were barred with iron. The floor was
earth.
They locked the door, tossed the key
out through. the grating, and a moment
later the crowding river men outside
knew the fight had begun. They could
see little through the bars. They pressed
their faces against the windows, climb
ing upon each other for a vantage
point, till the only air passage was
cholied, and the men inside fought in
poisoned atmosphere.
They were there scarcely twenty
minutes Then the man who had been
quiet came to the window and calmly
asked for the key. Besides him there
was not sound in the cellar He un-
locked the door, and they crowded in.
There in the middle of the floor lay
Flinstore, bound hand and foot, gagged
almost beyond the point of breathing,
and stripped naked The tough cloth
ing which had covered him now held
him disgraced prisoner. When he had
been freed the men asked him if he
wanted to try it again.
No" said he humbly. THAT man
held me with one hand. He knocked
me down whenever he wanted to-
couldn't touch him. And if | tried tc
clinch he downed me and fell on me
My ribs are broken. My heart hurts.
The quiet man still sat in his corner
DO you mind telling us who yor
are?" asked one of the raftsmen pc
litely.
at don't make any difference who
am" said the man, "but if it will inter
est you any l will tell you | make {
pretty good living as a fighting man
This little bundle you have asked abou
is my baby My wife died up at Lis
ton, and l am going to Madison t.
leave the baby with my mother l
any of you men want lessons in boxinl