The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-16
DARED VI MAT.
THIS Is the Familiar Name of n Georgia
Heroine.

Heroine.
Condor tGa.) corr. New York sun.
Daredevil 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 n short time ago she carried tho
United States mail between this place
and Lothair, Montgomery county, where
she lives, 20 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 never feared any danger.
At her side in a small pocket, the butt
fully exposed to view, was handsome So
caliber revolver of tho most approved
model, and, as she was known to DO a
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
superintcnded all the work on the farm.
She has helped to plant and harvest the
crops and has carried them to market,
where her tact enabled her to secure the
highest prices. Being in a tight place for
money once, she went into the woods. cut
n quantity of pine timber, had 1t hauled
to the river, RATED it herself, and placed
the raft in charge of her brother to be dis
posed of in the Darien lumber market.
Every autumn she cut down trees, which
she split in 10 rails until she had a sufil-
cient quantity to enclose a small section
of the farm. Sho 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 a roaring torrent. The long bridge
which spanned the creek was in danger OF
being swept away. Matte appeared on
the scene and took a hasty survey of tho
situation.
! "lf there is any possible chance to get
OVER" said she, II intend to cross, come
what may, even if have to swim the
creek. The mail must go through"
She gave the spirited bronco a cut with
the lash, sending it trotting swiftly into
the foamng water. 1t was over five feet
deep around the abutmeuts. Here the
pony got cntangled in some vines, and
reared on his Misunderstanding vigor-
! ously until he was cut loose from the har-
ness by the daring girl. AL this time she
was struggling shoulder deep in tho
water. BY skillful maneuvering, 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 afloat, and
crossed to the opposite side, swimming
part of tho. way, with the vehicle ahead of
her. Shc arrived all right and got the
mail through.
Not long after this she ceased to carry
the mails. Instead, she learned to play
the festive draw poker, which she now
| plays with the knowledge of an expert. 1t
is further alleged that she operates a
"blind tiger" in a small shanty in front of
her mothers residence, At least that is
what the grand jury thought when they
indicted her. She was not prosecuted,
! however.
Two years ago, learning that tho reve-
nue. officers were on her trail, she dis
guised herself in male attire and assumed
the name of Bill Jones. In this masquer-
ade she travelled through several states
| without anybody penetrating her disguise.
| During the execution of the five Scuffie-
| tonians at Mount Vernon near here, last
| September year ago, she sold a large
amount of liquor publicly to the people.
! She was not molested.