Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-03-11
SHEPHERDSTOWN. W. VA, FRIDAY, MARCH II, 1892


throwed i'm out, an Bob dive polly
gized too quick Bob Hall never had
no sand
All the same, there was an old story
70 the effect that once, when Billy
had been unaccountably absent from
the ranch for three or four days, he
had been in town devoting considera-
bic attention TO keeping out of the
belligerent Mr.. Halls way.
But Billy's opportunity came one
day. He had been laid up for a week.
and was still lame a the result OF
being on the side next the ground
when his pony stumbled and fell one
day, and was sitting at the door one
morning about ll.30, when the stage
came along. Several of us wee in
the ranch house, aud were somewhat
surprised 10 hearth wheels outside,
for the stage road was two miles from
the ranch. As we crowded to the
door. we saw something was up,
for Dyer, the driver, looked excited.
"Mornin', gentlemen, he said. And
then to Boss Fleming Fleming,
expect to be held up over b Five Mile
Creek Kin one o tn boys 20 with
me I'll getanother man at Parker's,
an reckon lhree'll be 'nough.
why, yes. OF course, was the re
ply; you can have more if you want
EN-. I'll go myself. But why didn't
you bring guards if you're carrying
any valuablrs? p
Dyer explained. The night before
he had noticed three suspicious-loOk
ing characters in town, and observed
that they eyed him considerably. This
morning he had started early, hoping
to pass all the places favorable 10 IA
bold up before the three tough
looking gentlemen had time 10 get To-
Gated. He had felt n bit backward
about bringing guards, as he did not
like to appear cowardIy, and, besides,
his suspicious might be groundless,
and the laugh would be on him. There
were no valuables except the mail
| bags.
But the three strangers had passed
him n mile back, evidently in hurry
to get somewhere hence his visit TO
the I'M"
Fleming turned to get ready TO GO
he was not the man to send somebody
else into danger-but was met at the
door by Billy, "heeled" with two re
volvers and u Winchester.
"Hullo, man - calculated Fleming.
Didn't you hear me say | was go
ing p
Don't care ef ye did answered
Billy, curtly. This plenty work I
do, an my laigs is too stiff t straddle
my bronco" And he climbed painful
" up to the drivers seat, and the
stage rolled away, leaving Us staring
at each other, unable to believe our
eyes.
The stage did not reach the Five
Mile nor did il reach Parker's. At IA
place two miles west Of the I'm,
where the road traversed the edge OF
bluff overhanging n deep ravine,
there were three shots fired, and brave
Walt Dyer and his two team leaders
| fell into the road. Then there were
more shots "a rattling fusilade for.two
or three minutes-then silence.
When we got 10 the scene we saw
Billy Brag lying across the body OF
the driver. supporting himself on one
elbow and keeping the drop on a
man who stood holding up one arm
! the other was shattered and hung
limp. Two dead men, besides Dyer,
Law in the road. The wheelers were
quiet now, but their hoofs had cruel
ly mangled the bodies OF their pros
trate comrades in front.
Il knowed yed come, boys" said
Billy, "else I'd he'd t kill 'im stead
o. savin i'm fer leetIe necktie par
ty. They got Dyer fust lick, but W en-
they ran up agin Phin Ellsworth, they
ketched er HI ov er feller. Guess
| kin die of real peaceful now"
But he did not die. With ball in
bis leg, another travelling around
somewhere on his inside, and wound
in.his throat which causes his voice
to break in IA ludicrous way, he still
lives and brags Of this very exploit.