Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-04-01
MR.. : MEEKS' : PRISONER.


With an oath, the other drew" and
for few seconds there was a con.
fusion of shots, in which the city mar.
shal could take no part by reason of his
revolver getting stuck and refusing to
come forth. Then the stranger threw
up both hands, in token of surrender.
Have you-er-a pair of handouts,
Mr. Wylie?" asked Mr.. Meeks. Put
'em ON him, please. Sorry, Mr.. Will
iams, but | can't take any chances with
you"
Williams did not answer, but growled
angrily under his breath as he sub
mitted to being handcuffed.
III git you for thisr he said to
Wylie, as the latter stepped back after
finishing the operation.
"Oh, We will, will ye? Wait ontell my
friend, Mr.. Meeks, gifts through 18th We,
Mr.. Williams" was the cheerful reply.
Wan t'put i'm in tn cooler?" asked
the marshal, presently.
No, thanks. He'll bunk with me to-
night, and tomorrow we leave. Much
oDHgeu, all the Same.'
1t was not more than an hour before
every one in Buffalo Horn knew that
little Mr.. Meeks had, single-handed,
captured the notorious Kingtisher Will
ians, after short battle in which no.
body was hurt; and the general senti-
ment was of the "Well, I'll be dog
goned!" variety.
That night Mr.. Meeks had a levee
and blushingly received the congratula-
tions of the best citizens of Buffalo
Horn during a period of two hours,
while his now staunch friend, jim
Wylie, obligingly guarded his desper-
ate prisoner. Had he been a less tenn
perate man, he might have retired
somewhat the worse for liquor, as did
most of the citizens of Buffalo Horn;
but he kept his wits about him and was
as sober as his prisoner when they
turned in.
Next morning, half-score of leading
citizens had sufficiently recovered from
the nights revelries to accompany him
ana his prisoner to Four-Mile Creek.
This honor was modestly protested
against by the little man, who seemed
not to see that he had done ANYTHING
remarkable, but he was hooted down,
and when they reached Four-Mile his
escort parted from his with three rous-
ing cheers and volley of revolver
shots by way of salute.
1t was about one o'clock in the after
non when an excited, hatless man.
mounted on painting horse that
dripped with perspiration, dashed up
to the Hotel Winslow, in front of which
numberof citizens were sitting discus
sing the events of the day and night
previous, and hoarsely announced.
"Kingtisher-he's killed i'm"
What? Who?' asked Winslow.
What We talkin' about, man?"
The stranger was gasping for breath,
but presently managed to explain that,
twenty miles south, he had been resting
under tree by Il stream, when a little
man and big man, whom he had
known in Kingtisher as "Kingfisher''
Williams, came along and dismounted
near by. The little man was leaning
over to get a drink when Williams
sneaked up behind him and struck him
down with his handouts. After this.
said the stranger. he saw Williams take
the keys from the little mans pocket
and unlock his handouts. Then he shot
the insensible victim with the latter's
own gun, mounted, and rode away: and
the newcomer hurried into Buffalo
Horn the faster because Williams
caught sight Of him as he was leaving
and took few shots at him.
IVY didn't We shoot back-'r else git
tn drop on i'm Wen e hit little Meeks
wi tn bracelets?" asked Jim Wylie,
fiercely.
cause, in the first place, didn't
think ed kill tn man. Secondhand
the stranger eyed Wylie quizzically-
II reckon We haln't real we'll acquainted
18th Kinghsher Williams, be ye?"
In less than an hour the little town
was practically depopulated of men. all
but the cashier OF the local bank and a
few bar-tenders having gone on the
warpath to catch and hang Kingfisher
Williams for the murder Of Mr.. Meeks.
The stranger did not accompany them.
his horse being blown and himself not
being anxious to meet Mr.. Williams.
However, 1t made no difference, as ey.
cry one knew the ford which the