The diamond drill., 1895-02-09
HE ALWAYS RODE.
A Nevada Bad Man Who Had q
Cinch on Stage Drivers.
When lie Intimated That lilo Wanted a
Ride the Johus Would Very Obss-
qutously Accommodates Him
on tho Instant.

"Aiy first meeting with Sam Brown,
who figured SO tragically in Nevada's
early days. said A. l.. Bastrop, the
mining man, 10 writer for the New
York sun, ''was as / came into Nir-
ginia City one evening on the inland
stage. | was riding on top with Shorty
Trcdwin, one of the best known of the
old-time drivers, and he was choclS full
of the arrogance which characterized
the men who followed his eminent call
ing. There were some eastern passen-
gers aboard whom Shorty had snubbed
and ovcrawed until they scarcely dared
10 speak TO him. He had just returned
an answer of cutting irony 20 pas
sengcr who had vcntured 10 inquire
how much further it was TO Virginia
City, and as he handled the rcins was
surveying the scene with a sniff of con-
tempt at creation in general. We were
climbing the long hill six miles from
Virginia City when, through the dusk,
n man loomed up ahead walking in the
same direction. He stopped rs the
stage came along and asked for lift
into town. His request was refused by
the driver, who hallooed 20 the horses
to get along and not fall asleep In the
traces.
lyon won't, eh?' said the wayfarer,
in whose grun voice there was trace
of surprise DO you know who amp
"No, don't know, answered Shorty,
cracking his whip at the leaders; and
what's more, | don't care n cuss.
~ am Sam Brownv thundered the
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.
"'Whoal Whoal lac shouted, as he
tuggcd ut the lines. 'You headstrong
beasts, will you ever stop pulling! 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. WIZ you step
inside or ride ON the box with me2
Glad 10 see YOU, Mr.. Brown, and al
ways honored TO have you ride on my
coach
'Mr Brown climbed grimly TO the
box, took his scat unthanlSfully 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 apologctie all the
rest of the trip. Sam Brown was u
man OF immense physique and for
lnidable aspect. His long hair was, ac-
cording TO his custom, pinned up under
his hat-hc used bowie knives for that
purpose by popular report; II was when
angry that he shook 10 loose and lung
il like name about his shoulders His
revolvcrs were plainly indicated be-
meath his long black froclS cont, and
there could bc no doubt that lurking
in concealment somewhere about his
person was the historic lSniso that had
let out so many human lives. llc might
DE described rather rs an inter
esting than agreeable companion,
and shorty was relieved OF pain
full suspense by finding as the
minutes passed that he showed no dis
position TO revert 60 the first words of
their colloquy. Indeed, Mr.. Brown,
whose usual manner had the types Of
nmiability that grizzly bear mani
tests in his different moods, soitened
into something like tolerance Of his
company under the influence OF a
whisky bottle passed up by mining
man from within the coach, and lac even
made some grimly humorous remarlss,
ut which the driver and myself duly
laughed with an aficctation Of great en-
ioyment. At the entrance OF the lrima-
ventura saloon, on the principal street
OF the city, Mr.. Brown nlighted in
style, the cynosurc Of attraction for all
who witnessed his coming. shorty
rallied amazingly after his departure,
and he swcllcd with pride nt the bar
rooms that night as nc told at every
second drink OF having brought sam
Brown In on his coach.
"our renowned fellow passenger was
probably taken all around, the most
hardened and dangerous ruilian that
ever figured in the red history OF the Pa
.cifc slope. Upto the time that the vigil
ance committees got into operation his
reign of terror was supreme In Ncvada.
The number OF men hc hal killed was
variously computed, but the list was a
long one, and some Of his deeds OF
blood were OF uncommon atrocity. lt
was his pleasant custom 10 walk into a
store or saloon and demand fifty dollars
OF the proprietor, which was usually
handed him without protest. One un-
fortunate clerk who refused the tribute
he shot dead across the counter
A. tN.E EnNU