The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-12

me SsccnG showed Kim as 'FRONT.'
nent in Texas Town and Running
for Mayor.
From the New York sun.
Pomona, Cal, Aug. "A company of
gentlemen sat in the ONCE of the Hotel
Palomares in Pomona the other evening,
waiting for late train to Los Angeles.
Each one of the party knew every one
else. Cigars were freely passed around,
and all we're enjoying a talk about early
experiences on the frontier, and especially
in Southern California, before railroads
were built in this region. The best story
of the evening was told by Col. John
Williamson. one of the most important
orange growers in Southern California.
From 1873 until 1873" he said. II was
engaged by Chicago lumber company to
travel through the country from Denver
TO st. Louis to look up openings for lum-
Der yards 1t was my business TO visit
new towns and settlements. and when /
found men of capital in them TO induce
them to go into the lumber business and
buy of the Chicago concern. THAT time
Ogalalla, on the Union Pacific railroad,
was famous throughout the country as
toughest place in the west. Then Dodge
City, Kan, came into prominence for its
cowboy episodes and the rough, tough
and desperate character of a large part of
its residents. passed night in Dodge
City IN October, 1876 and / assure you
that came quickly to the conclusion that
life IN any other town would be tame and
without excitement in comparison with
the pleasures which that place could
afford.
On one side of the railroad track stood
big barn-like building called the Ameri-
co-MeXlcan hotel, and on the other a row
OF twenty or thirty history frame houses,
almost every one Of which was barroom
with gambling house attached. Over
the doors hung such signs as Cowboys
Retreat The Divan,' and The From
tiersman's Delight Behind the town on
the top OF hill was the city graveyard.
An immense cross stood at the top of the
hill and served as a landmark for tray
elers for miles and miles across the bar
rem prairies. That graveyard was the
pride OF every man who lived in Dodge
City. The inhabitants watched it grow,
and pointed with pleasure TO the fact that
there was hardly man taking his final
rest there who had not come to his death
by violence.
ut was toward afternoon when halted
my horse III front of the Americo-Mexican
hotel after forty-mile ride, Heavily
armed men stood about in groups. The
looks thrown at me were far from reas-
surlug, out pretended not to see them
and fastened into the hotel. Hardly had
taken my seat in the dining room when
four men, evidently forming a delegation,
approached me. They demanded to know
what brought me to Dodge City in way
which left me no alternative but TO
answer. My answers seemed satisfac-
tory, and one of them informed me the
reason of their curiosity. They had some
idea that | was a deputy sheriff, and
frankly told me that if | had been should
have been escorted out of town, as no
government officers were wanted about
Dodge City that night They further in
formed me that there was going to be one
of the prettiest lynching bees in town
that night that had ever taken place.
Three men had come to Dodge City
ten weeks before, and had taken the
place by storm. They had made their
headquarters at a tavern almost opposite
the hotel, and had levied a tax on every
one who entered. Anybody who objected
to paying or standing treat was beaten,
and when resistance was shown pistols
were used. Ten men had received death
wounds from these three men, and the
town had determined to set an example
to all such characters by hanging the
three without ceremony. 1t was not easy,
however, to accomplish this as the men
were intrenched in the barroom and re-
1hoCh W lOluC Oub VI allow any one 10
enter 1t had been determined TO dislodge
them that night, in spite of all resistance.
and was invited to take part in the
affair. The three men we're named Hank
Martin, Jack Willis and Wat Simmons,
and were desperate outlaws with large
sums upon their heads.
Just at dark the citizens of Dodge City
prepared for battle. The attacking par
ties were divided into two forces One
approached the point of attack from the
rear, while the larger number marched
up to the front All the citizens wore
haudkerchiefs over their faces. l was
with the main body of attackers. or
rather behind it. We were brought to a
sudden halt by rife shot from one of
the windows of the besieged house, and
one of our leaders fell. Various means
were tried to dislodge the three men, but
to no purpose. Every time the slightest
advance was made their rifles rang out,
and some one on our side dropped. At
last small man slipped up in the shadow
of the adjacent buildings and threw a
lighted can of kerosene under the build
ing. Soon it began to burn. At last it
was enveloped in flames, and the three
men were obliged TO make rush for
their lives. They We're half blinded by
the heat and smoke of the burning build
ing, so they were qkickly captured
Then all the citizens of Dodge City
not excepting the women and children,
formed in hne and marched down to the
cattle pens, where an old dead tree stood
which had served several times as a gal
lows. A rope had been brought along,
and it was quickly thrown over branch,
and everything was ready for the hang
ing. 1t was at first intended to dispose of
all three at the same time, but there was
not enough rope, so it was decided to
hang one at time. Jack Willis was the
first TO be strung up; his end was
FASTENED by dozen bullets, which were
fired into the body while it was still
writhing. Wat Simmons was then dis.
posed Of
Next came the turn of Hank Martin,
and all held their breath when the bold
est desperate known on the plains in
those days was brought out. Just as the
big, powerful fellow was led under the
tree he made sign that ne wanted to say
something. The gag was removed from
Martins mouth, and he said:
IF you will take this rope from round
my neck and slightly loosen these bonds
will tell you men something that will in
terest you all.
There seemed no danger with so many
on guard, so his request was complied
with. When his letters were loosened he
rose, stretched himself, and began his
speech: