Graham guardian., 1895-05-18
HE ALWAYS RODE.
A Nevada Bad Man Who Had
Cinch on Stage Drivers.

When He IntImated That He Wanted q
Ride the Jehus Would Very obsc-
quiousIS Accommodate Him
ON the Instant.
"My first meeting with Sam Brown,
who figured SO tragically in Nevada's
carly days. said A. e. Bastrop, the
mining man, to a writer for the New
York Sun, "was as | came into Vir-
ginia City one evening on the inland
stage. was riding on top with Shorty
rredwin, one of the best known of the
old-time drivers, and he was chock full
of the arrogance which characterized
the men who followed his eminent cali
ing. There were scme eastern passen-
gers aboard whom Shorty had snubbed
and overayed until they scarcely dared
10 speak to him. He had just returned
an answer of cutting irony to a pas
scnger 0ho had vcntured to inquire
how much further it was to Virginia
City, and as he handled the reins was
,drveying the scene with sniff OF con-
tempt at creation in general We were
climbing the long hill six miles from
Virginia City when, through the dusk,
man loomed up ahead walking in tho
same direction. He stopped as the
stage came along and asked for 0 lift
into town. His request was refused by
the driver, who hallooed to the horses
10 get along and not fall asleep in the
traces.
"'You won't, chi? said the wayfarer,
in whose gruff voice there was a trace
Of surprise. DO you know who amy.
''No, l Idon tknow, answered Shortyss
cracking his whip at the leaders; and
what's more, don't care 4 cliss.
~ am Sam Brownf tbundered thei
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! Whoar he shouted, as he
tugged at the lines. You headstrong
beasts, viii you ever stop pullingl Ex-
cuse me, Mr. Brown, for keeping you
waiting. It's these plagued horses
won't stop. didn't recognize you IN
the dark, Mr. Brown. VIII you step
inside or ride ON the box with mep
Glad to see you, Mr.. Brown, and al
ways honored to have you ride on my
coach!'
Mr.. Brown climbed grimly to the
box, took his seat unthanlzfully 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 apologize all the
rest of the trip. Sam Brown was a
man Of immense physique and for
midable aspect. His long hair was, az
cording to his custom, pinned up under
his hat--he used bowie knives for that
purpose by popular report; it was when
angry that he shook it loose and flung
it like name about his shoulders. His
revolvers were plainly indicated be-
meath his long black frock coat, and
there could be no doubt that lslrlSing
in concealment somewhere about his
person was tho historic knife that had E
let out so many human lives. He might
be described rather as an inter
csting than agreeable companion,
and Shorty was relieved of pain
full suspense by finding as the
passed that he showed no dis
position TO revert to the first words Of
their colloquy. Indeed, Mr.. Brown,
whose usual manner had the types Of
amiabiiity that grizzly bear mani-
tests in his different moods, softened
into something like tolerance Of his
company under the influence Of
whisky bottle passed up by mining
man from within the Goa cll, and he oven
made some grinly humorous remarks,
1T which the driver and myself duly
laughed with an aifectati0n OF greet en-
ioyment. At the entrance of the Pgima-
ventura saloon, on the principal street
Of the city, Mr.. Brown alighted in
style, the eynosure of attraction for all
who witnessed his coming. Shorty
rallied amazingly after his departure,
md he swelled with pride at the bar
rooms that night as he told at every
second drink of having brought Sam
Brown in on his coach.
''Our renowned fellow passenger was
taken sllt diOulAu, JIG uloot
hardened and dangerous rlifian that
sver figuredin in the red history of the Pr
life slope. Up to the time that the vigil
ince committees got into operation hM
'eign of terror was supreme in Nevada
rhe number Of men he had killed was
computed, but the list was 4
ong one, and some OF his deeds OF
blood were of uncommon atrocity. IL
vas his pleasant custom to walk into
store or saloon and demand fifty dollars
If the proprietor, which was usually
handed him without protest One un-
'ortunate clerk who refused the tribute
le shot dead across the counter
The Declaration of Independence
7as signed by all classes. For in
tance it shows the signatures OF
wentv-four lawyers, eight farmers
our merchants, four physicians,
hree who registered as statesmen,
ne general Qna Ghnan,al l-nr nna