The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1895-02-27
A GEORGIA GIRL.
SHE CARRIES A PISTOL AND is NOT
AFRAID TO USE 1T.
Woman of Many Experiences--Mattie Hes
ter Was Once a Mail Carrier, is an
Expert at POker--AIsO Runs
"A Blind Tiger.


Expert at Poker--AI Runs
Blind Tiger.
Dare devil Mat is the name given by
admiring friends to Miss Matte Hester,
of Condor, Ga, who is not quite p, has
deep blue eyes, wavy black hair, the
whitest of teeth, pretty features and
trim figure, and has mare exciting expe'
riences than fall to the lot of most men.
Up to a short time ago she carried the
limited States mail between that place
and Lothian, Montgomery county, where
she lives, twenty miles away. She drove
fiery Texas broncho hitched to tiny
road cart, and went over the route tri-
weekly, rain or shine, all by herself.
The road ran through a wild and sparsely
settled section, but she never feared any
danger. At her side, in small pocket,
the Sutt fully exposed to view, was
handsome 3S-caliber revolver of the most
approved model, and as she was known
to be a crack shot, and, was often modest
ed.
She resides with her widowed mother
and is the real head and director of the
family. For the last five years she has
superinten led all the work on the farm.
She has helped to plant and harvest the
crops and has carried them to market,
where her tact enabled her to secure the
highest prices. Being in a tight place
for money, she went into the woods, cut
a quantity of pine timber, and placed it
in charge of her brother to be disposed
of in the Darien timber market. Every
autumn she cuts down trees, which she
splits up into rails, until she had sufficient
quantity to inclose a small section of the
farm. She has taught in several writing
schools.
During one of her mil trips She per
formed a most daring feat. 1t had been
raining necessarily for a week, swelling
the creeks and branches beyond the
banks, and impending travel. MERGERS
creek. which Matte had to cross on her
route, was a roaring torrent. The long
bridge which spanned the creek was in
danger of being sweeped away. Matte
appeared on the scene and took hasty
survey of the situation.
IF there is any posi- BILE chance to get
over" said she, II intend to cross, come
what may, even if l have got to swim
the creek. The mail must go through"
She gave the spirited bronco cut with
the lash, sending it trotting swiftly into
the foaming water. 1t was over five feet
deep around the abutments. Here the
pony got entangled in some vines, and
reared on his Misunderstanding vigOr
Ously until he was cut loose from the
harness by the daring girl. All this time
she was struggling shoulder deep in the
water By SKI He'd maneuvering and at
the peril Of her life, she lifted the road
cart by sheer force out of the water onto
the bridge, which was almost ahoat, and
crossed to the other side, swimming part
of the way, with the vehicle ahead of
her. She arrived alright and got the
mail through.
Not long after this she ceased to carry
the mails Instead she learned to
play the festive draw poker, which she
now plays with the knowledge of an ex
pert 1t is further alleged that she ope-
rates "blind tiger" in small shanty in
front of her mothers residence, at least
that's what the grand jury thought when
they indicted her. She was not prose-
cuted, however.
Two years ago, hearing that the reve-
nue. officers were on her trail, she dis
guised herself in male attire and assumed
the name of Bill Jones. In this masquer-
ade she travelled through several states
without anybody penetrating her dis
guise. During the execution of the five
Seuffletonians at Mount Vernon
last September a year year ago,
she sold a large amount of liquor pub
licly to the people. She was not moles t.
ed