Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-05
A TALE OF TWO KICKERs.
Kicking Tom Against Kicking Don
key-Man Outkicked the Jackass

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Los Angeles Corr Globe Democrat
In the days of the San Gabriel CANYON
mining boom in the 7Os large-boned and
gigantic Indianian was known to his rough
but kindly associates as "Kicking Tom"
He had won the nickname by reason of the
terrific force with which he could launch his
great, sinewy foot against an opposing OBJ
ject. One day a miner brought into camp a
Mexican burro which soon obtained wide
celebrity as a vicious animal, who, when ex-
cited, would attack man or beast with des-
perate fury. Several mountain ponies had
been kicked to death by him. and more than
one man had nearly lost his life by the
savage heels Of the brute. So exciting had
become the record of the jacks achieve
ments that they became the subject of uni
versal conversation and inquiry among the
mirers. Sitting in their cabins they spun
wonderful tales of what he had done and
was capable of doing.
He is the liveliest kicker going" said one.
'You are right. old man. That beast can
kick the hair off a mans head without
touching the skim" replied one of his COM
panions.
That was touching Tom in a tender place,
and, after moments reflection, he spoke
up with the remark:
He can't outkick me-" The observation
was received with amazed silence.
Lord, rom! Why, he'd make mince meat
Of you in minute"
Would he?" replied the athletic Indian
ian. Then he can have the chance. I'm
ready to kick for 500. and may the best
man win"
or the best jack" interposed compan-
ion.
too spry with your tongue" And Toms
brow lowered in gathering anger. His
friends apologtzed for the jest, and the
crowd dispersed.
the camp that Tom was willing to kick the
Eurro for wager. In the dusk of the even
ing the miners gathered in from their work
and discussed the subject in all it's bearings.
Opinion to the match was about evenly
divided. If anything. Tom was the favorite
Under these circumstances a mill for $10O a
side was easily arranged between the beast
and the man, and 1t was decided that the
noon.
Promptly at the appointed hour every in
habitant of the canyon and the villages that
have since grown into Pomona and Pasa-
dena was assembled in little level spot
just outside the limits of the camp. The
preliminaries were quickly arranged and the
fight began. The beast seemed to take in the
situation at glance and, laying back his
ears, he watched his wary opponent with
angry eyes. Suddenly Tom leaped forward
and landed a terrific kick squarely on the
junction of the neck and head.
The brute reeled before the force of the
wheeled and launched both heels at his an
tagonist. The man leaped aside, and as
quick as lightning responded with another
fearful kick on the burros neck And so
the conflict ragged. Sometimes the jack
would get in savage blow on his opponent,
but oftener the man had the best of it; and
at last, putting forth all of his wonderful
strength, he landed kick with the fury and
irresistible force of a piledriver on the jack s
Eeck. which had been his objective point
from the beginning. The beast reeled back,
and with convulsive culver fell over. Tom
was terribly bruised, but no bones were
broken, and in a few days he was as spry as
ever.
The miners next day gave the jack regu-
lar funeral. Amid all the pomp and circum-
stance of the camp he was laid to rest un-
derneath the sod of the valley, and local
poet thus canonized his memory:
Lay his waxen hoofs together,
Fold back his long and spreading ears,
For he has gone to blend his heehaw
With the music of the spheres.