Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-11-21
The STORY Teller.
JOHNNY NEELEYS NERVE.
He Was a Little Chap, but BE
Tanned the Bullies.
Correspondence of the Globe-Democrat.

Correspondence of the Globe-Democrat.
"Speaking of men of nerve and
ability to shoot straight" said an old
ranchman from New Mexico, at the
Hoffman House last night, "maybe
some of you have heard of Johnny
Neeley2 Neeley came down to San
ia Fe in the old days before the rail.
roads. He hailed from St. Louis OF
Kansas City, or somewhere up there
and was agent for something or other
I've forgotten what. He was little
chap, weighed about 120, and his face
was as smooth as a girls; but, say
that fellow was one CONCEALED lump
of nerve.
"The town was tough in those days
and was full of tough men who could
shoot and were always looking out for
chance to practice with their weap'
ons. This fellow Neeley was so little
and was such an innocent-looking chap
the boys soon marked him as ten.
derfoot and prepared to have fun with
him. He was jolly, devil-may- care
sort, who loved to gamble, and spent
more time at the card table than he
did attending to business.
"He did not drink, but loved To
hang around the saloons and watch
the gang. When some of the boys
would shoot out the lights he always
appeared pleased and interested. Nee
ley ignored several insults, and always
walked away when one of the bad
men of the town tried to pick quar-
rel with him, so the gang concluded
that he would not fight, and then they
were ready to begin their fun.
"One night Neeley strolled into the
white Rose saloon, and sitting down
by q small table some distance away
from the gang, began smoking long
black Mexican cigar while reading a
newspaper that had come down by the
last stage, He puffed away at the
cigar until half an inch of ashes hung
at the end.
"The young fellow was tilted back
in his chair with the cigar pointing up
at an angle of As degrees. The ashes
made a splendid target, and big Bob
Sweeny cautiously drew his gun and
gave the boys the wink.
"There was a flash, loud report,
and the bullet from Bob's pistol 6ecked
the ashes off Neeley's cigar just as
light and smooth as if he had brushed
them away with his finger. To the
surprise of every one present the
young fellow did not jump and yell as
they had expected. Instead he slowly
folded the newspaper, laid it down on
the table, and then turned and looked
at the gang with questioning express
ion on his face. He did not even re-
move the cigar from his mouth.
"When he saw the smoking revolver
in Sweeny's hand he got up, and walk
ing over toward the table where the
gang were seated, asked in the mildest
sort of tone, Did you shoot at me OF
my cigar?' =.
"The gang was completely taken
aback at the GOODNESS of the fellow.
"I just thought I'd flip the ashes
off yer cheroot, young feller, an save
yot the trouble replied Sweeny, who
still held his revolver.
Thank you very much. l just
wanted to know what you were shoot
ing at. 1t was good shot. There's
no hard feelings. Have one with me !
GAS Neeley spoke he pulled out an
other long cigar and handed it to
Sweeny. The big fellow held out his
hand for the cigar, but he was fairly
dazed by the action of the young
man.
"Then Neely went back to his own
table and sat down again. As soon as
Sweeney had recovered from his sur
prise he winked at the crowd, and,
putting up his gun, struck match to
light his cigar.
"As he raised the burning match to.
ward his mouth there was sharp
report, and it was knocked out of his
fingers.
"Quick as lightning Johnny Neeley
had drawn q 6-inch derringer and had
shot the match out of Sweeny's fin
gers.
Never light cigar with match.
The fumes of the sulphur may spoil
the flavor of the weed! Allow me to
offer you a light = said Neeley, step.
ping over and extending his lighted
cigar with his left hand.
"Say; Bob Sweeny's face was a
study. He let his cigar drop on the
table, and with his hands on his knees
he just sat there for a minute and
stared at the young chap.
"'Did you do that?' he gaspel at
last.
"'Yes; but I meant no offense.
Here is light !
bob picked up his cigar, but when
he went to light it the boys saw that
his hand was shaking trife.
"He got the cigar burning, and
then he sat and puffed it in silence for
five minutes, at the end of which time
he got up, and, glancing at the half
burned match lying on the floor, said :
well, III be -
"Sweeny marched up to the bar and
took drink without word to the
L