The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-22
THEY BEGGED FOR LIFE
Saloon Raiders Confronted With
Keg of Powder and a
Hot Poker.

Shelbyville. Ind, Dec 22.-Andrew
Shelby owns a quartshop in Maxwell
Hancock county. Shelby is better
known in his town as ''Shellbark." His
groggery has been an eyesore to the
prohibitionists of the town for many
years, and various plans have often
been discussed how best to get rid of it.
A few nights ago a party of seven
young men destroyed the furniture and
fixtures of shop in FOuntaintown, ten
miles from Maxwell, and poured the
propr1etor'S liquors into the streets.
Ihey escaped punishment for their
r1OtouS conduct with fines of S1S each.
The good people of Maxwell thought
this would be a good way to rid the
town of 'Shellbarl1'' and his corn hOI-
low"
They agreed they would visit his
place at o'clock last night, offer a
prayer and then demOlish the saloon
and contents.
'SheIlbark." however, got wind of
what was going on, and prepared to re-
celVe his visitors when they should
come He procured q six gallon keg of
powder and a 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
mlttee Shellbark'' heard. an unfa-
miliar knock on his back door. He
boldly flung it 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, ard,
climbing onto a stool, the proprietor of
the place, in a cool and collected man
ner, addressed his visitors as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen, you will no doubt be
araics 4
knew of your coming to my place this
evening and that L had decided to give
you a warm and hearty reception. 1
know that my business is looked upon
as a degraded one, but 1 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. I
realize that my days on earth are but
few at best, and have decided to end
them tonight. After 1 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" d
At this juncture "shellbarl1" 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 buhg
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
heated poker therefrom and returned to
a position behind the bar, when he
again delivered himself of a few words.
He said:
Nov, gentlemen. this is the plan
have adopted to journey to that bourne
from whence no weary soldier e'er re-
turns If 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. Final
ly the smallest man in the party edged
himself from behind the stove, and,
walking in front of the bar, began re-
lating in a squeaky voice how sorry he
was that he had been induced to, come
to the saloon; that he had 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 paying
nice tribute to Shelby as a man who
had fought and bled for his country,
which none of those present had done,
and said he was too good man to end
his life in the manner he was about to
employ. Exhausted. the little man sat
down. when "Shellbark'' said:
''All of you who approve of what the
gentlemen has just said, please hold up
your right hands,
Quicker than a flash up went the
hands of the ten men present.
"Al you who are in favor of old
SheIlbark' remaining on earth and run
ming a grogshop, please say Aye
From the thrOats of the visitors
came AYE"
Now, gentlemen" said Shelby, you
will please step up to this bar and take
a drink with me- after which 1 will un-
lock my doors and allow you to return
to your families"
The frightened men, all of whom are
strictly temperate, then came forward
and partOolI of a glass of ''Shellbarks s.
corn hollow and were permitted to
leave. On reaching the street, they sep
arated without saying a word and
made for their respective homes, while
'tOId SheIlbark'' hastily exclaimed af-
ter them:
Boys, don't forget my number"