Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-06
TWO ABLE KICKERs.
One Was a Hoosier and the OOner d
Jackass, and the Man Won the
Match.


| Match.
In the days O. the San Gabriel canon
mining boom, in the '7O's, large Doneu
and gigantic IpQianien was known "
his rough but kindly associates: as
"Kicking Tom" He had won uhe nlch-
name bv reason Of the terrific force
with which he could launch his great
sinewy foot against an opposing oDlecI'
saws the st. Louis Globe Democrat Ohe
dav a miner brought into camp a Mexl-
can burro. which soon obtained wlde
celebrity as a VICIOUS animal, who, WheH
excited. would attack man or beast wluh
desperate fury. Several mountain ponies
had been kicked to death by him, ana
more than one man had nearly lost MS
lie by the savage heels OF the brute
So exciting naI become the record OF
the jacks aCE .evemeGts that they De-
came the subject of universal conVersa-
tion and inquiry among the miners.
Sitting in their cabins they spun Won
derful tales Of what lie had done and
was capable Of doing.
He is the liYeliesJ kicker going,
said one.
You are right. old man. That beast
can kick the hair of a mans head
without touching the skin" replied one
OF his cOmpaloDs.
That was touching Ten in tender
place, and after q moments reflection he
spoke up with the remark:
He can't Outkick me-" The Observa-
ton was received with amazed silence.
why, he'd make nincemeat OF you
in a minute"
Would he?" replied the athletic In
d.anian. Then he can have the chance.
I'm ready to kick for 800, and may the
best man win"
or the best jack" interposed q com
panion.
81 mean wnal l say. old man, so don't
be too sprv with your tongue and
Toms brow lowered in gathering anger.
His friend apoiogized for the jest and
the crowd dispersed.
The next G3y the rumor went wild
through the camp that Tom was willing
to kick tho bt.rro for a wager. In the
dusk of the evening the miners gathered
in front of their work and discussed the
subject in oil its bearings Opinion as
TO the match was about evenly divided.
If anything Tom was the favorite. I'm
der these circumstances mill for 500
a side was easily arranged between the
beast and the man, and it was decided
that the conflict should come off next
Sunday afternoon.
Promptly az the appointed hour every
inhabitant Of the canon and The vii
! lagos that have since grown into Po-
mona and Pasadena was assembled in
a little level spot just outside the limits
CT the camp. The prel.minaries were
quickly arranged and the fight began.
| The beast seemed to take in THE situa-
ton at glance, and, laying back his
ears, he watched his wary opponent with
! angry eyes. Suddenly Tom leaped for
ward and landed a terrific kick squarely
on the junction Of the neck and head.
The brute reeled before the force of
the blow, but recovering On the instant,
he wheeled and launched both heels at
his antagonist. The man leaped aside,
and as quick as lightning responded
with another fearful kick on the burro's
neck And so the conflict ragged. Some
times the ,ack would get in a savage
blow on his opponent, but oftener the
Imam had the best OF it, and at last putt
ting forth ali his wonderful strength,
fac landed kick with HE fury and ire
sis.ible force Of a pile driver on the
jacks neck, which had been his OBJ
jective point from the beginning. The
beast reeled back, and with a convul-
sive CULVER fell over. Tom was terribly
bruised bu; no bones were broken, and
N few days he was as spry as ever.