Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1895-12-13

OuS vas l4QO1@1If - NO fIUM
Jaekass and the MAJ Won. ~
In the days Of the San GABRIEL canyon
mining boom in the '7os large boned ana
gigantic Indianian was known to his
rough but kindly associates as "Kick-.
ing Tom" He had won the nickname by
reason Of the terrific force with which he
could launch his great, sinewy foot
against an opposing object. says the st.
Louis Globe-Democrat. One day miner
brought into camp a Mexican burro, which
soon obtained wide celebrity as vicious
animal. who, when excited. would attack
man or beast with desperate fury. Several
mountain ponies had been kicked to death
by him. and more than one man had near
ly lost his life by the savage heels of the
brute. So exciting had become the rec
ord of the jacks achievements that they
became the subject of universal conversa-
uon and inquiry among the miners. Sit
ting in their cabins they spun wonderful
tales of what he had done and was capable
of doing.
HE is the liveliest kicker going" said
one.
you are right, old man. That beast can
kick the hair off mans head without
touching the skim" replied one of his
companions.
That was touching Tom in a tender
place, and, after a moments reflection,
he spoke up with the remark:
He can't outlkick me-" The observation
was received with amazed silence.
why, he'd make mince meat of you I'm
a minute
would he?" replied the athletic In
dianian. Then he can have the chance.
I'm ready to kick for 800, and may the
best man win"
."or the best jack" interposed compan-
ion.
II mean what say, old man, so don't
be too spry with your tongue" And
Toms brow lowered in gathering anger.
His friend apologized for the jest and the
crowd dispersed.
The next day the rumor went wild
through the camp that Tom was willing
to kick the burro for a wager. In the
dusk of the evening the miners gathered
in from their work and discussed the
subject in all its bearings. Opinion as to
| the match was about evenly divided. If
anything, Tom was the favorite. Under
| these circumstances a mill for 500 a side
| was easily arranged between the beast
and the man, and 1t was decided that the
| conflict should come off the next Sunday
| afternoon.
Promptly at the appointed hour every
| inhabitant of the canyon and the villages
! that have since grown into Pomona and
Pasadena was assembled in little level
| spot just outside the limits of the camp.
| The preliminaries were quickly arrang-
| ed and the fight began. The beast seemed
to take in the situation at glance, and,
laying back his ears, he watched his wary
opponent with angry eyes. Suddenly Tom
leaped forward and landed a terrific kick
squarely on the junction of the neck and
| head.
The brute reeled before the force Of the
blow, but recovering on the instant, he
wheeled and launched both heels at his
antagonist. The man leaped aside, and as
quick as lightning responded with another
fearful kick on the burro's neck. And SO
the conflict ragged. Sometimes the Jack
would get in a savage blow ON his oppo-
nent, but oftener the man had the best
of it; and at last, putting forth all his
wonderful strength, he landed kick with
the fury and irresistible force of pile
driver on the jacks neck, which had
been his objective point from the begin
ming. The beast reeled back, and with a
convulsive CULVER fell over. Tom was
terribly bruised, but no bones were brok-
en-, and in few days he was as spry as
| ever.