Graham guardian., 1895-06-28
HE ALWAYS RODE.
A Nevada Bad Man Who Had a
Cinch on Stage Drivers.

.'My first meeting with Sam Brown,
who figured so tragically in Nevada's
early days," said A. L. Bastrop, the
mining man, to writer for the New
York Sun. ''was as / came into Vir-
ginia City one evening on the inland
stage. / was riding on top with Shorty
Tredwin, one of the best known OF the
old-time drivers, and he was chock 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 overawed until they scarcely dared
to speak to him. He had just returned
an answer of cutting irony to pas
senger who had ventured to inquire
how much further it was to Virginia
CITY. and as he handled the reins was
surveying the scene with sniff OF con-
tempt at creation in general. We were
climbing the long hill six miles from
Virginia City when, through the dusk,
a man loomed up ahead walking in the
same direction. He stopped as the
stage came along and asked for lift
into town. His request was refused by
the driver, who hallooed to the horses
to get along and not fall asleep in the
traces.
"'You won't, eh?' said the wayfarer,
in whose grlff voice there was trace
OF surprise DO you know who l amp"
"'No, Idon't know, answered Shorty,
cracking his whip at the leaders; and
what's more, don't care cuss.'
81 am Sam Brown!' Numbered the
stranger, and / reckon my names good
for ride on Ben Holidays or any
other stage line in Nevada. Do you
want
sat the words Sam Brown, Shorty
brought his four horses all back on
their launches with one jerk.
"'Whoa! Whoar he shouted, as he
tugged at the lines. You hea6strong
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. VIII you step
inside or ride on the box with me?
Glad to see you, Mr.. Brown, and al
ways honored to have You ride on my
coachr
''Mr. Brown climbed grimly to the
box, took his seat unthankfully 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 We're apologize all the
rest of the trip. Sam Brown was a
man of immense physique and for
midable aspect. His long hair was, ac-
cording to his custom, pinned up under
his hat-he used bowie knives for that
purpose by popular report; 1T was when
angry that he shook it loose and flung
it like name about his shoulders. His
revolvers were plainly indicated be-
meath his long black frock coat, and
there could be 30 doubt that lurking
in concealment somewhere about his
person was the historic knife that had
let out so many human lives. He might
be described rather as an inter-
csting than agreeable companion,
and Shorty was relieved of pain
ful suspense By finding as the
minutes passeB that he showed no dis
position to revert to the first words at
their colloqny. Indeed, Mr. Brown,
whose usual nfsknner had this types ~
amiability that a GRIZZLY bear nAani-
sssts in his different moods, softeneu
icy something like tolerance of his
ihto ~ under the influence of a
company nassed up by mining
"nishy poV'ic As',e coach, and he even
man fYo,,, within
made some grimly humesse. vself dulv
at which the driver and n4ys.,at en-.
laughed with an affectation of greess
joyment. At the entrance of the Prinids
ventura saloon, on the principal street
of the city, Mr.. Brown alighted in
style, the cynosure of attraction for all
who witnessed his coming. Shorty
rallied amazingly after his departure,
and he swelled with pride at the bar
rooms that night as he 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 ruffian 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 Nevada
The number of men he had killed was
variously computed, but the list was
long one, and some of his deeds OF
blood were of uncommon atrocity. II
was his pleasant custom to walk into
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"