The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-06-09
IT..
MIR. MEEKS'S PRISONER.
BY LEsrER RErcnrM.


tonight, and tomorrow we leave. Much
obliged, all the same
1t was not more than IN hour be-
fore everyone in Buffalo Horn knew
| that little Mr.. Meeks had, single
handed, captured the notorious King
| fisher Williams, after n short battle in
which nobody was hurt, and the gen
eral sentiment was of the "Well, I'll
be dog -goned' variety.
That night Mr. Meeks had levee
and blushingly received the congratu-
lations of the best citizens of Buffalo
Horn during period of two hours, the
while his now staunch friend, Jim
Wylie, obligingly guarded his desper-
ate prisoner. Had he been 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 n half-score Of lead
ing citizens had sufficiently recovered
from the night revelries to accompany
him and his prisoner to Four-Mile
Creek. This honor was modestly pro-
tested 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 him with
three rousing cheers and volley of
revolver shots by way of salute.
II was about one o'clock in the af-
ternoon when an excited, hntless man,
mounted ON painting horse that
dripped with perspiration, dashed up
to the Hotel Winslow, in front of which
a number of citizens were sitting, dis
cussing the events of the day and
night previous, and hoarsely an
nounced: ''Kingfsher-he killed
'imr'
"What Who ?" asked Wins
low. "What We talkin' about, man?"
The stranger was gasping for breath,
but presently managed to explain that,
20 miles south, he had been resting
under n tree by stream, when little
man and big man, whom he had
known in Kingfisher as "Kingfsher"
| Williams, came along and dismounted
near by. The little man was leaning
over To get drink when Williams
sneaked mp behind him and struck
him down with his handouts. After
this, said the stranger, he saw Viii
liams take the keys from the little
mans pocket and unlock his handouts.
Then he shot the insensibe 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.
"W'y didn't We shoot back else
git tn drop on i'm when e hit little
Meeks wi tn bracelets?" asked Jim
Wylie, tiercely.
Cause, in the first place, / didn't
think ed kill the man. Second
and the stranger eyed Wylie quizzi.
cally-'I reckon ye amt real well
acquainted 18th Kingfisher Williams, be
YEP"
In less than an hour the little town
was practically depopulated of men, all
| pup tHe cHSnier Vi tne local Dank ana
few bartenders having gone on the
warpath to catch and hang Kingfsher
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.. Will
liams. However, it made no differ
ence, as everyone knew the ford
which the stranger said was the scene
of the tragedy.
Thus, nearly everyone being gone
southwark to mete out justice to the
alleged murderer of Mr.. Meeks, it
was really child's play for that gentle
man and Mr.. Williams, emerging from
their hiding place in the hills just
north of the town, and joining the
stranger who had brought the news,
to loot the bank, three stores, the
hotel and every saloon in the place,
and to get safely away ON fresh horses
at least three hours before the pursuit
could be organized.
And that is why every officer whose
business takes him into Buffalo Horn
and neighboring towns is looked upon
with suspicion until his credentials
are approved. The Argonaut.
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