Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-03
A LIVELY GEORGIA GIRL.

Dare devil Mat is the name given by
admiring friends to Miss Matte Hester,
who is not quite %, has deep blue eyes,
wavy black hair, the whitest of teeth,
pretty features, and trim figure, and
has had more exciting experiences
than fall to the lot of most men.
Up to short time ago she carried
the United States mail between that
place and Lothair, Montgomery county,
where she lives. twenty miles away. She
drove a fiery Texas bronco hitched to a
tiny road cart, and went over the route
tri-weekly, rain or shine, all by herself.
The road lay through wild and
sparsely settled section, but she peyer
feared any danger. At her side in a
small pocket, the butt fully exposed to
view, was a handsome 3S-calibre re-
volver Of the most approved model,
and, as she was known to be n crack
shot, she was not often molested.
She resides with her widowed mother
and is the real head and director of the
family. For the last five years she has
superintended all the work on the
farm She has helped to plant and
harvest the crops and carried
them to market, where her tact
enabled her to secure the highest
prices. Being in tight place for money
once, she went into the woods, cut a
quantity of pine timber, had it hauled
to the river RATED it herself, and placed
the raft in charge of her brother to be
disposed of in the Darien lumber mar
ket. Every autumn she cut down trees.
which she split into rails until she had
a sufficient quantity to enclose small
section of the farm. She has taught in
several writing schools.
During one of her mail trips she per-
formed a most daring feat. 1t had been
raining necessarily for week, swelling
the creeks and branches beyond the
banks, and impeding travel. MERGERS
creek, which Matte had to cross on her
route, was roaring torrent. The long
bridge which spanned the creek was in
danger of being swept away. Matte
appeared on the scene and took hasty
survey ofthe situation.
eff there is any possible chance to
get over,n said she, 81 intend to cross,
come what may, even if l have got to
swim the creek. The mail must 60
through"
She gave the spirited bronco cut
with the lash, sending it trotting swift
" into the foaming water. 1t was over
five feet deep around the abutments.
Here the pony got entangled in some
vines. and reared on his launches, kick
ing vigorously until he was cut loose
from the harness by the daring girl.
All this time she was struggling shoul-
der deep in the water. BY skilful
manpuvring, and at the peril of her
life, she lifted the road cart by sheer
force out Of the water on to the bridge,
which was almost aloat, and crossed to
the opposite side, swimming part of the
way, with the vehicle ahead of her.
She arrived all right and got the mail
through.
Not long after this she ceased to
carry the mails. Iustead, she learned
to play the festive draw poker, which
she now plays with the knowie lge of
an expert 1t is further alleged that
she operates "blind tiger" in small
shanty in front of her mothers resi-
dence, at least that is what the grand
jury thought when they indicted her.
She was not prosecuted, however.
Two years ago, learning that the rev.
enue officers were on her trail, she dis
guised herself in male attire and assum-
ed the name of Bill Jones. In this mas
querade she travelled through several
States without anybody penetrating
her disguise. During the execution OF
the five Scuflletonians at Mount Yer
non near Condor, last September year
ago, she sold large amount of liquor
publicly to the people. She was not
molested.