The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-24
SAM BROWN OF NEVADA.

| induce the stage Driver to Stop.
my first meeting with Sam Brown, WHIT
| figured SO tragically in Nevada's earl,
days." said A. E. Bastrop, the mining
man, was as l came into Virginia City
one evening on the overland stage. was
riding on top with Shorty Tredwin, ono oil
the best known of the old-time drivers
and he was chock full of the arrogance
which characterized tho men who followed
his eminent calling. There were some
eastern passengers aboard whom Shorty
had snubbed and overawed until they
scarcely dared to speak to him. He had
| just returned an answer of cutting irony
to passenger who had ventured to in.
quire how much further it was to Virginia
City, and as he handled the rens was sur
veying the scene with sniff of contempt
at creation in general.
1--WE were climbing the long hill six
miles from Virginia City, when, through
the dusk, man doomed up ahead walk
ing in the same direction. He stopped as
the stage came along and asked for a lift
into town. His request was refused by
the driver, who hallooed to the horses
to get along and not fall asleep In the
traces.
"'You won't, eh?' said the wayfarer, in
whose gruif voice there was trace of
surprise. DO you know who l amp
"'No, don't know answered Shorty,
cracking his whip at the leaders; and
what's more, don't care a damnr
"pm Sam Brownr Numbered tho
stranger, and reckon my names good
for ride on Ben Holidays or any other
stage line In Nevada. Do you want -.
"At the words Sam Brown Shorty
brought his four horses all back on their
Launches with one jerk.
"'Whoa! whoa he shouted as he
tugged at the lines. You headstrong
beasts, will you never stop pulling. Ex-
cuse me, Mr.. Brown, for keeping you
waiting. It's these damned horses won't
stop. didn't recognize you in the dark,
Mr.. Brown. VIII you step inside or ride
on the box with me? Glad to sec you,
Mr.. Brown, and always honored to have
you ride on my coachr
MIR. Brown climbed grimly to the box,
took his seat unthankfully as by right of
possession, and was the guest of honor
into Virginia City. Shorty was extremely
polite, and his tones to his horses even
were half apologize all the rest of the
trip. Sam Brown was large man of I'M
mense physique and formidable aspect.
His long hair was, according to his Gus
tom, pinned up under his hat-he used
bowie knives for that purpose by popular
report 1t was when angry that he shook
it loose and flung it like a name about his
shoulders. His revolvers were plainly in
dicated beneath mis- long black frock coat.
and there could be no doubt that lurking
in concealment somewhere about his per-
son was the historic knife that had let out
SO many human lives. He might be de-
int
companion, and Shorty was re- |
loved of painful suspense by finding as |
The minutes passed that he showed no |
disposition to revert TO the first words of |
heir colloquy. Indeed, Mr.. Brown, whose |
Usual manner had the types of amiablity |
hat grizzly bear manifests in its diff
'rent moods. softened into something like
clearance of his company under the influ-
'nce of whiskey bottle passed up by
mining man from within the coach, and
lie even made some grimly humorous re-
marks, at which the driver and myself
luly laughed with an affectation of great
Enjoyment.
AT the entrance of the Primavenfura
aloon, on the principal street of the city.
1r. Brown alighted in style, the cynosure
f attraction for all who witnessed his
oming. Shorty rallied amazingly after
is departure, and he swelled with pride
I the barrooms that night as he told at
very second drink of having brought
am Brown in on his coach.
"Our renowned fellow passenger was
taken all round, the most hard
ned and dangerous rufiian that ever fig
red in the red history of the Pacific
ope. Up to the time that the vigilance
ommittees got into operation his reign
terror was supreme in Nevada. The |
lumber OF men be had killed was yari-
usly computed, but the list was a long
ne, and some of his deeds of blood were
uncommon atrocity. 1t was his pleas
nj custom TO walk into a store or saloon
nd demand $50 of the proprietor, which =
as usually handed him without protest,
nc unfortunate clerk who refused tho
ibute he shot dead across the counter"
NelC York sun.