Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-17

Reason Given by vigilnntes Committee
for LYnohing a Shnrpshooter.

for Lynching n sharpshooter.
sway up in the Sierras, where the
mountains rear their snow white peaks
and stand like sentinels in armor guard
ing the gold that lies hidden in the
rocky canyons below, once saw an
exhibition of rife shooting that | have
never since seen equalled, remarked q
grilzled old man, whose sands of life
had nearly run, MS he stood surrounded
by group of interested listeners in a
well known sporting resort the other
night, says the st. Louis Republic
"What was doing up there, you askg
Why, herding sheep in order to get
together enough for grub stake, so
that might start out again on pros.
pecting tour. We had ten thousand
sheep divided into four bands, with three
herders and as many dogs TO each one
of them; and we camped whenever
night overlook us. | tell you | slept
sounder in those days, rolled up in a
pair Of blankets and with log of wood
for pillow, than do now in the best
bed that con find in hotel.
I'VE followed the old stage road that
led up from Stockton through Sonora
and Cherokee camp, and then struck
over trail that led through the Big
Basin and up to the headwaters of Tou
\ luline river. 1t was in June and the air
was full of the fragrance Of flowers,
while the sunlight, as ii fickered
through the trees, made chessboard on
the velvet green carpet that lay stretched
out beneath the spreading oaks. We had
long before left civilization behind us,
when late one evening we came out of
the woods into little mountain meadow
that was known as Cranes Flats, and
was the headquarters for band of cat.
tie herders. Most of them were Italians,
but for all that they gave us warm
welcome. One of them in particular at
tracted my attention. lie was tall, 1.-the
and muscular, and walked with the
easy swing of professional pedestrian.
His eyes were of blush gray and he
seemed to be a leader among his com
panions. all of whom were swarthy and
dark-eycd.
eff 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 heY
Italian Joe,' was the reply.
~ had heard of Italian Joe before Al
Sonora, at the Cherokee, at the Conf.
deace mines and in a hundred otbel
places his fame as a rifle shot had beer
dinned into my cars.
"The next morning | asked him Il
give us an exhibition of his skill. Shoot
ing was his weak point and he con
sented. Unlike the coy maiden who
can sing, but wishes to be coaxed before
she does, he had his notes with him
Taking a Colt revolving rife in hi!
hands lie paced off 100 yards and pinned
a cap box to the trunk Of huge oak
Coming back he wheeled as quick a.
lightning, aud without sighting, ap
parently, he emptied the chambers. Si2
OF tue shots were in circle around the
edge, while the seventh was plumb
centre.
Loading again he glanced about him
High up in the heavens hawk circleG
warily through the blue looking fol
something to prey upon. There was
moment of hesitation, "A quick repor
and down came the hawk with bulle
in his head. Pennies, dimes and quar-
tiers that were tossed in the air came
down with bullet hole through them
He missed nothing that he drew a beaC
on. He could beat all the Carvers anC
the Buffalo Bills that you ever saw
"What became of him?" asked al
eager listener.
HE shot man and he didn't mis-
him, either. He was captured by bant
of vigilantes, and when / came out o
the mountains in the fall his skeleton
white and ghastly, was hanging to
tree al the entrance Of the Big Basin
The vultures had picked all the tlesl
from the bones and the sun, wind an,
, rain had bleached them to a snow,
whiteness. Pinned to the tree was thi
inscription, written with charcoal upo
a pine single: lie could shoottoo d.
well, and we hung him.
"Rather CHASTITY comment on our SC
called civilization, was it not?"