The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-06
lie SHOT OUT THE LIGHTS.
Tiger BiII's Awful Raid on Wichita,
Kansas.
CUTTERS RUN WITH BEER--NOT BLOOD

The QuanfreII Raid Not a Mark er TO
the Havoc Made by the Long Haired
Terror of wichita.
The happiest man that ever left To-
peka was Tiger Bill, terror of Wichita,
assistant attorney general of the great
state of Kansas to assist in enforcing the
Law. Tiger Bill won his battle in Topeka.
A delegation of prominent citizens had
waited on the governor aud demanded
that Tiger Bill should be squelched and
that poor old Wichita be allowed to re-
Asume its peaceful existence in an atmos-
phere redolent with the fumes of old
bourbon. But Tiger Bill had triumphed
and his sombrero was perched far back
on the crown of his massive head as he
walked down Kansas avenue toward the
depot.
Tiger Bill was to have his way. The
reins were to be Ioosened and he was to
be allowed full sway. He was comLnis-
stoned commander in chief and the out
laws at Wichita vera to he suppressed.
He had promised the governor that he
would pursue them to their caves on the
banks of the Arkansas and drag them
back to justice. and the governor had
given his sanction.
What a moment for Tiger Bill How
his great heart beat as he realized his
awful prominence. Another thing that
made Tiger Bill happy was the thought
of how the news of his victory would be
preceived at Wichita. Information had
reached him through a trusty follower
that Marsh Murdoch, Harry Gordon,
Otto Eckstein and other of the outlaws
had called meeting to jollify over the
defeat of Tiger Bill in Topeka. Pabst
and Ferd Helm and the other brewers
I, \ ,l,AS
and ordered their Wichita representa-
tives to place free beer on every street
corner, and all because Tiger Bill had
been suppressed
How he gloated over the dream dis
pelledl How he chuckled TO him
self he stopped to buy
new pair of six-shooters and an
extra supply of ammunition! He would
reach home while the celebration was in
progress
Tiger Bills trip home was uneventful.
He rode most ofthe way on the platform
because he was afraid if he staid inside
his pent up feelings might seek release
and cause him to make himself ridicu
lous
form darkness had enwrapped the city.
Tiger Bill sprang to the ground. He
could contain himself longer. His
happiness must find expression, and
drawing his new six shooters from his
boot legs, he gave that terrible yell
(which only Tiger Bill could give, and
pop, pop went his revolvers.
The bartender in the big hotel near
the depot fell down two flights of stairs,
three Douglas avenue saloon keepers
who were looking after the details { the
festivities swooned in their tracks, \ irsh
Murkock fell over beer barrel and
hundreds of other prominent citizens
rFHE aod v-ol1 oil fha r,11
buttons bursting in every direction, for
they all knew Tiger Bill had arrived.
= CONSERVATION! No one ever heard of
any thing like it. The town was in an
uproar in an instant. Swift couriers
few from house 10 house whispering the
terrible news: "Tiger Bill has returned"
A few citizens slow to appreciate the cause |
of the confusion left their drinks IN
touched and went out to inquire the !
cause of the trouble only to join the mad /!
throng when the terrible truth had been
revealed to them.
Tiger Bill started up Douglas ave- |
nue.. A white light with a globe on |
which was painted the words, Sow boys |
Retreat" hung over the sidewalk. The |
click of his six shooter was heard and in !
second the globe was shattered into !
thousand pieces by a bullet from |
the weapon On he walked and the |
crowd few before him. Another light |
went out as Tiger Bill passed and still |
the terror increased Marsh Murdoch |
had gained his office and he ventured to |
put his head out of the window. Whang! |
went Tiger BilPs revolver and the head |
withdrew with the Tip of handsome side |
Whisker gone.
The streets ran with beer, but Tiger |
Bill waded bravely through the stream |
making his presence known by the |
CLEAN of his six shooters as he brandished |
them over his head. The town was his. |
Nc more festivities, no more celebration |
shat night. 1t was all a hoax the story of Ii |
ger Bills downfall. Two or three of BiIPs !
trusty followers who had taken refuge in |
cellars at the first news of his defeat crept /
out and followed in the wake of their |
brave leader. It was the work of a |
moment to break open a hardware store
and secure supply of axes. Head after
head OF the beer barrels were broken |
and the cutters ran brim full of the
foaming liquor. 1t was then that the |
entire populace sent up terrible cry of
despair that could be heard for miles |
around But it was no use The beer |
was gone-gone.
The business houses were closed, but
there was no sleep that night. A few
crowds of frightened men gathered on
back streets and whispered together
Eoout what had happened. They talked
about the victory won by Tiger Bill at
Topeka. They said that the time had
come whom they must face the newt