The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-06-15
a eANosncus ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Ne Shot Too We'll and So They Tool
Elm Out 81 Tspgtetion,

he ouoh Aoo Weh Auu 30 Iney TOOK
si@ Ya' q Typ g t.e.,tiep,
Away up In the Sieffas, where the
mofntains Fear their SHOW white peaks
and stand like sentinels In arfnor guard
ing the gold that lies hidden In the rocky
canyons below, I once saw an exhibition
Of rifle shooting which l have never
since seen equaled, remarked grizzled
old man whose sands of N,fe had nearly
run, as he stood surrounded by q group
Of interested listeners in a we'll known
Clark street sporting resort the other
night. "What was l doing up there,
you ask. Why. herding' sheep, in order
to get together enough for grub stake,
80 that l might start out again on q
prospecting tour.
eve had 10000 sheep, divided into
four bands, with three herders and as
many dogs to each one Of them, and we
camped wherever night overlook us. ]
tell you l slept sounder in those days,
rolled up in pair of blankets and with
q log of wood for my pillow, than l dc
now in the best bed that can find in O
hotel.
1--WE followed the old stage road that
led up from Stockton through Sonora
md Cherokee camp, and then struck
out over a trail that led through the
Big Basin and up to the headwaters Of
the Tolumne river. 1t was in June and
the air was full of the fragrance o.
flowers, while the sunlight as it flick
cred through the trees made a chess
board on the velvet green carpet that
lay stretched out beneath the spreading
oaks.
1--WE had long before left civilization
behind US, when late one evening we
came out of the woods into littl,
mountain meadow that was known a.
Cranes flats, and was the headquarter,
for band of cattle herders. Most o.
them were Italians, but they gave us {
warm welcome. One of them in particu
lar attracted my attention. He was tall
1.-the and muscular, and walked with tn,
easy swing of professional pedestrian
His eyes were of blush gray, and b,
seemed to be leader among his com
panions, all Of whom were swarthy ant
dark eyed.
"'If you can get that fellow to SHOW
you some shooting you will see some
thing wonderful in that line,' Whispered
one of my companions.
"'Who is hep asked. .....-.
"'Italian Joe,' was the reply.
81 had heard of Italian Joe before. A
Sonora, at Cherokee, at the Confidence
mines and in a hundred other places hi
fame as rifle shot had been dinned int
my cars.
1.-The next morning | asked him t
give us an exhibition Of his skill. Shoot
ing was his weak point, and he consent
ed. Unlike the coy maiden, who ca,
sing, but wishes to be coaxed before sh
does, he had. his notes with him. TAX
ing Colts revolving rifle in his hand
he paced off hundred yards and pinne
a common cap box to the trunk Of
huge oak. Coming back, he wheeled a
quick as lightning, and without sight
ing, apparently, he emptied the chan
bers. Six of the shots were in circl
around the edge, while the seventh wa
a plumb center.
y Loading again, he glanced abou
him. High up in the heavens haw
circled warily through the blue, lookin
for something to prey upon. There wa
a moment of hesitation, quick repol
and down came the hawk with 4 bulle
in his head. Pennies, dimes and quai
tiers that were tossed in the air cam
down with bullet hole through then
He missed nothing that he drew bea
on. He could beat all the Carvers an
the Buffalo Bills that you ever saw"
"What became Of him?" asked q
eager listener.
HE shot at man and he didn't mis-
him, either. He was captured by ban
Of vigilantes, and when came out {
the mountains in the fall his Skeleton
white and CHASTITY, was hanging to
tree at the entrance of the big BASH
The vultures had picked all the fles
from tho bones, and the sun, wind an
rain had bleached them to snow
whiteness, Pinned to tree was tn
| inscription, written with charcoal upo
:, pine single: