Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-30


His groggery has been an eyesore 10
the prohIbitionists Of the town tor many
wears, and various plans have often
been discussed how best to get rid OF II.
few nights ago a party OF seven
young men destroyed the furniture ana
fixtures of a shop III Fountaintown, ten
miles from Maxwell. and poured the
proprietor's liquors into the streets.
They escaped punishment for their
riotous conduct with fines of SIS each.
The good people of Maxwell thought
tn would be good way to rid the
town of "Shellbark" and his ''corn hol-
low."
They agreed they would visit his
place at o'clock last night. offer
prayer and then demolish the saloon
and contents.
"Shellbark," however. got wind OF
what was going on, and prepared to re-
ceive his visitors when they should
come. He procured six gallon keg OF
powder and long rod of iron. The
latter he stuck into the stove to heat.
Then he sat down to await develop
ments.
At the hour appointed by the 'com-
mittee," "Shellbark" heard an uufa-
miliar knock on his back door. He
boldly flung 1t open and bade his Wis
itors enter.
In marched ten men who were his
known enemies. They walked to the
bar, where the programme was start
ed with prayer. This was followed by
the leader stating their mission. At
the close of his remarks "Shellbark"
was asked If he had anything to say,
and, climbing onto stool, the proprie-
tor of the place, in cool and collected
manner, addressed his visitors as fol
lows:
"Gentlemen, you will no doubt be
surprised when l state to you that
knew of your coming to my place this
evening and that l had decided to give
you a warm and hearty reception.
know that my business is looked upon
as a degraded one, but, am unable to
do hard work; in fact, since returning
from the war, where | served four
years for my country, my health has
been bad and is constantly growing
worse. l realizes that my days on
earth are but few at best, and l have
decided TO end them tonight. After |
am gone, if any of you are left to tell
the story of your visit here, please give
my love to my friends and see that my
grave is kept green"
AT this juncture s'Shellbark" stepped
from the stool, went to the doors of the
room, locked them and placed the keys
in his pockets. He then went behind
the bar, placed the keg of powder on
top of the same, removed the bung
from the keg, purposely allowing some
of the powder to spill upon the floor in
front of the amazed visitors, and then
walking to the stove removed the heat
ed poker therefrom and returned to
a position behind the bar, when he
again delivered himself of few words.
He said:
''Now, gentlemen. this is the plan
have adopted to journey to that bourne
from whence no weary soldier e'er re-
turns. Ii you have anything to say,
please be In hurry about it, as it is
growing. late and time is precious. you
know
The men were terror-stricken. FL
nally the smallest man in the party
edged himself from behind the stove,
and. walking in front of the bar, be.
gan relating III a squeaky voice how
sorry he was that he had been induced
to come to the saloon; that he mad
wife and several children dependent
upon him: he knew that if Mr.. Shelby
touched off the powder he would never
see them again, and wound up by pay
ing nice tribute to Shelby as a mar
who had foughtiand bled for his country,
which none of those present had done,
and said he was too good man to enc
bis life in the manner be was about te