Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-07-28

that he made up his mind to become
buffalo hunter. At that time the great
railroads across the plains were being
built and Buffalo Bill' was earning
his reputation as hunter.
One winter morning young MasJerson
walked into the dining room where ms
mother and father were seated ana an
nounced his intention of becoming a
hunter. In vain his father used his per-
suasive powers to persuade Bat TO re-
consider his determination. Failing IN
this. the old man grasped his adVen-
turous heir by the back of the neck,
led him out into the wood shed and ar
gued with him earnestly with a trunk
strap. This did not have the desired
effect.
A month or so later young Masterson
rode into Fort Dodge on his father
best horse. He was armed with a VIM
chester rifle and a breech-lOading reyol-
yer. the latter of which he carries to
this day. He fell in with some buffalo
hunters in that town, and for the next
six months he devoted his time to kill
ing buffalos. He soon became known
as one of the best hunters on the plains.
and he attained such a reputation that
the best of the old leather stockings
who r0amed the plains were always
ready to go on hunt with this beard
less boy. with the cold. blue eyes and
quiet smile. who could hold his own
in riding. shooting and fighting with
the most skilful, the hardest and the
most desperate men Of the plains.
KILLED HIS FIRST MAN.
It was during this period Of his life
that Masterson distinguished himself
as the hero of an Indian night that is
still remembered throughout the West
ern territory. 1t was just previous to
this Indian fight, however, that Mas
terson killed his first man. On the
night of June u. 1874, young Master
son and his two partners rode into the
small settlement of Adobe Walls, a
trading post on the Canadian river
The town was very small. consisting Of
ONLY TWO stores, two saloons and
blacksmith shop. After eating supper
nj the camp. which was pitched by thu
river side. a poker game was proposed
with the saloon keepers, and Bat. who
even AZ that age was passionately fond
of gambling. took a hand. Luck was
with him. For an hour or more he won
steadily.
Then one of the players, whom Bat
had met for the first time. lost his tenn
Der. and i'm the course Of an argument
called young Masterson liar. AT the
same time he leaped to his feet and
crIIs5 his gun. 1t was the last act of
his life Before he could draw bead
1Tosterson had drawn his revolver and
had shot the man dead, with bullet
through the right eye. In less than
half am hour the body was buried and
the poker game went on. 1t lasted lar
into the night About two o'clock IN
the morning the buffalo hunters wrap
ned themselves in their blankets ana
fer asleep. A dozen or more OF tneh'
iDoluding MastersOn, slept in the room
where the poker game had taken place.
rrbis was a low adobe building, con-
-i-+i,g of one room. Across the length
&C - ran big cottonwood jOist, stretch
- f~or, front to rear. An hour later
+be huffalo hunters were asleep. About
F,,,,. o'clock. from some unknown cause
his cottonwood beam broke win
Great ores noise. and the sleepers, thinking
fhot the building was about TO tumble
abont their ears, rushed cut into the
omen air. This incident saved their
lives.
They all took drink and talked ina
,,e+tsr over. and just as they had set
+loJ Themselves again in their blankets
- ,,-l,,oDs were heard and into the
town rushed a band OF over i've nun