The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-22


minds ear l heard my friend tell the
old-timers of the place that the young
Fastener was tenderfoot but an ex-
cellent shot Notwithstanding. Then my
bosom began ito swell and 1 assumed a
self-reliant air that would have done
credit to a grizzled mountaineer.
But my glory was ephemeral and for
tunately was restricted within an area
bounded by the clothing 1 wore. My
friend pointed his gun at a small hill
lock Of sand, fired, and we noticed half
a dozen tailless swifts "scoot" from
lush to bush. Then / learned that
whenever a swift becomes frightened
he loses his caudal appendage.
The sand lizards are harmless, in
which respect they differ much from
many of the other inhabitants of the
region. Tarantulas abound in the
adobe buildings and frequently large
| ones are killed. The most improved
method of dispatching one of the
giant spiders" as some of the people
call them, is to stab with broom,
much after the manner of the killing Of
the tarantula's second cousin by an
Ohio housewife. While the tarantula
is much feared, the centipede is treat
ed with contempt by the majority OF
the frontiersmen. On one occasion the
little daughter of a shoemaker Of the
town ran to her father screaming like
mad. Immediately the store was filled
with men, all anxious to know what
was the matter of the child. The
father disrobed the little girl and dis
played her back, on which there was
work ~ rnI hat
have done cridit TO a feline artist
"A centipedes work." remarked one
man, to which another rejoined, A lit
tie whiskey,' and walked away. The
Child was given about a half pint Of
whisky and put to bed. The next
morning she was playing as though she
had never known an ailment.
1t is the belief Of the residents of that
section of the country that whisky is
an antidote for poisons Of all kinds.
The majority also believe in inocula-
| ton against the effect of poisons, and
/ they practice it daily. saturating their
systems through the medium of the
aesophagus. Others seem to be of the
opinion that 4" an ounce Of prevention
is worth a pound OF cure" The two
theories, however, are only various
highways to the same destination, and
whisky is as staple an article as pota-
toes.
Among the events of interest in that
town during the particular period of
time mentioned was a duel between a
lawyer who had forsaken the bar of
justice for that of Bacchus, Doc"
Johnson and Texas Charley Robin
son, proprietor of a saloon on Gold ave
nue.. The calm deliberate manner of
both principals was a revelation to
me- They appeared to regard it as of
less Importance than a horse trade
would be to an Fastener. 1t was Of
such an everyday occurrence that but
little attention was paid to it. Indeed,
| the officers forgot all about it twenty
four hours after it had occurred.
Texas Charley" was sitting in his
gambling room playing poker with a
stranger, and it occupied all his time
watching the maneuvers of his oppo-
nent Doc addressed Charley in a
sharp manner and received a curt re-
ply Doc" was displeased. He
thought that as good a customer as
himself was entitled to special consid-
Grafton.
IF that's the way YOU treat me"
Doc" began when he was interrupted
by Charley" who quietly replied:
Go on away, Doc, and come back
when you are sober"
DO you mean to say I'm drunk"
Il do"
Then you're liar" shouted Doc
Indignantly.
The words had no more than been ut
tered than Charley had his gun on a
| line with Docs" head but immedi-
ately all the players in the house inter-
| fered and separated the two men.
Charley" gave notice, however, that
he would make Doc" eat his words
the next time he saw him or he would
shoot him down.
| The following day the duel occurred.
| DOC" walked past "Charleys" saloon.
when he was stopped by the proprietor.
| Doc" said Charley" you called
me a liar yesterday. Are you ready to
eat your words?"
What I said yesterday was said for
to-day, too" replied Doc" who was
considerably under the influence of
liquor.
Quite a crowd gathered around, and
as Doc" refused to retract, and
Charley demanded satisfaction, a
timekeeper was selected coolly and he
| directed the two men to walk fifteen
PAGES in opposite directions and take up
their station back to back, and turn
| and shoot when he had counted three.
| All the preliminaries having been ar
ranged, the timekeeper began to count
! slowly, so the men would not be taken
| off their guard; "One, two, three"
| AS though he was on pivot Doc"
whrled and fired. He was known to
/ be an expert with the revolver and it
was expected that he would bring his
man." But his long debauch had I'M
settled his nerve, and the ball sped
wide of the human target On the other
hand Charley" took deliberate aim
and missed. By this time Doc" had
| fired again with the same result a5 be-
fore. "Charley's" second shot was the
| last fired Doc threw up his hands
and fell forward, and when bystanders
| picked him up. they found him dead,
through the right eye.
The next day doc" was planted
in one of the parks used as a cemetery,
and within a week he was forgotten,
save by his friends and relatives in the
East.
BY far the most exciting period of
! that summer was during the rad Of
| the famous Indian warrior Geronimo
who led party of Apaches through
| Southwestern New Mexico and Mexico
| General Crook was in command of that
military district and operating from
| Fort Bayard as a basis. He sent squads