The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-06-09
KING OF EAGLE PASS.
True Story Of Gamblers Sad
End.


common to midsummer sunsets on
the prairies OF the great southwest,
: had,just sunk behind the ragged crest
of the great divide, causing a
somber purple hue to illumine the
whole western horizon, and golden
mantel to envelope this new born
city OF the plains,
Scarce six months had elapsed
since the prairie dog was digging his
burrow, and the coyote bowling on
the very ground where now stood
typical, thriving western town, impreg-
mated with all the hustle, theft, and
murder incident to one. But look! it
must be a gala day in town; lights
were being lit here and there, snufing
out the golden halo that pervaded all
surroundings after one of these beauti-
ful sunsets. And down from the dig
gings and over the prairie came miners
and galloping cowboys, all bent on a
Jolly good spree, and to take part in
the general festivities attending the
celebration OF the glorious Fourth
Hank, what a clatter Of hoofs! A
band of cowboys dashed into view,
pistols in hand, shooting out lights to
right and left as they galloped down
the main street and wheeled into line
on the grand plaza. halting in front Of
IVA Nof 20 Il III TO w.t. ~, n toe lx,
stream of these buckskin-clad miners
and cowboys were continually pour
ing.
Our band OF cowboys enter into the
cafe and we will follow in their wake
TO the left is the dancing hall where
by paying a Mexican dollar you can
dance one fandango with fair signor-
ita thrown in. We enter the gambling
hall. At one end OF the room sits the
liking" dealing faro. He was only a
gambler, but with this lowly position
in life he was the most noted person in
Eagle Pass. Jim Boyd. the "King,"
SO he was styled, had dropped down
where pedigree was never asked for,
and through his own merits was soon
crowned king OF the gamblers.
The liking" shot q man once in
-selfdefense, and continued the deal
without even the tWitCh OF a muscle.
When the sheriff stepped up to arrest
him he politely remarked, "Please
excuse me, sir, until finish this DEAL"
and the sheriff held the pistol to his
head until the last card was drawn,
then, without further ado, he marched
to jail, and in less than an hour
half the populace were clamoring for
his release, and of course he was
acquitted. There was dark page in
his past life that kept this man-who
was a gentleman-here in this front
town isolated among gamblers, cut
threats and thieves,
The game was at it's zenith, the
liking" in his element. He sat a very
sphinx drawing card after card from
the shining box, on which thousands
were continually won or lost. Present.
ay slight commotion ensues at the
opposite end of the room. The miners
and cowboys separated voluntarily
and formed an aisle through which a
half-tipsy ranchman staggered up to
the game.
Good evenin' pard Say, you uns
Just watch me take in the King
Drawing forth a large roll OF "long
green's he placed cool thousand on
the jack. 1t won. The King paid it
promptly without change Of color.
Then the ranchman doubled, and con-
tlnued to lose until he was completely
cleaned out.
boyd, you're rascal and black
aeg, and have robbed me. I'll kill you
for this!''
THE "King" cleared the green baize
table at a bound, and had the ranch
man covered with q six-shooter.
Say, you sneaking cow-puncher!
No man living can say that I ever
dealt u braced game. Apologize for
that charge you just made, or by the
eternal I'll let daylight through you!'
'WaIl, pard, you've got the drop on
me sure huff, and take it back. But
there's settlement to come 'twixt
you and ~ And the ranchman who
had been divested OF his pistols in the
saloon calmly walked out.
The "King' resumed his seat and the
ivory chips continued q monotonous
click the whole night; finally the last
card was drawn and he YEARLY arose
from the table-a ten-thousand win
ner. Asmile ofpleasurelit uphis hand
some features for an instant, then he
was heard to murmur:
Eyes, yes, am heartily sick OF it
and I'll quit this beastily life and re
turn to those love. This little pile
will help to make them all quite com
PORTABLE" ...r@z
was mere youngster at the time
and trumpeter at the fort, built ad
jacent to the town The king
made much of me on all occasions
and | frequently qisited his shanty or
the hillside, where none others wer,
invited to enter. He was a iowa
companion with me, but with other,
as dumb as q mute. ] often question
ed him in regard to his past life, bu
whenever the subject was broached h
became silent even with me. MI
duties at the post were never very