The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-07-06
THEY WERE BAD MEN
THE FORMER INHABITANTS OF ELLIS
WORTH AND HAYS CITY.

Bill and Jim Curry.
Ellsworth shouted brakeman on
the Union Pacific railway, Kansas divi-
sion, as the train swept through a
prairie valley and slowed up at sleepy,
cottonwood shaded prairie encircled
western Kansas town. To the left could
be seen "A large and peculiar building,
located on the outskirts of the village
What is that buildipg?" asked of
the gray bearded man who had shared
my seat for the last 90 miles.
"That is the Grand Army grounds
and building, he said. ut belongs 10
the old soldiers, and they hold reunion
there every summer. "
They have picked on a very quiet
town in which TO rendezvous"
''Yes, this is quiet town now, but 1
can remember, 30 years ago, when ELS
worth was hell's half acre. Yes, worse
than that, for all the cussedness going
on in this town in the sixties couldn't
have been crowded on TO less than hell's
half section. Times was mighty dull in
Ellsworth them days when there wasn't
work for the coroner six days in the
week, and he generally had to work
overtime on Sundays. Itwas the tough
est place on the plains until the rail
road moved on west and the killers.
topghs, gamblers and their female CON-
paniOns followed or to Hays City. Then
the carnival OF crime and the contract
for filing tie graveyard was transferred
to Hays But today both towns are as
quiet and orderly as a New England
village Some of the bad men Of those
days settled here in Ellsworth perma-
nently aud became quiet citizens-aftCr |
they became residents of the graveyard
on the hill youdor
APACHE Bill, scout and tough, took |
up permanent residence ont yonder |
because a bartender got the dropon him |
one night and added about two ounces |
to Bills weight in the shape Of lead |
placed where il V Guild do the most coed. |
ComstCck Charley, a bali breed Chcy. |
enne scout, tough and general all round
bad man, also became a quiet citizen Of
the place where they planted 'em in
those days on account of puncture put
into him by Henry Whitney, sheriff.
4" Bill Hickok wild Bib gained his
fame at Hays City, west of here, as
also did Jim Curry, who later on shot
and killed Ben Porter, an actor, at Mar
shall, Tex. l knew Jim Curry when he
was an engineer on this road. He be-
came enamored of woman, married
her, and they settled down in HAYS
City, keeping little restaurant there.
There was regiment of negro soldiers
quartered at Fort Hays. The negroes
took offense at Jim because he refused
to serve them with meals at his house.
They came around to clean out the
place. Jim went to shooting, and when
be quit Uncle Sans army was deci-
mated to some extent.
wild Bill was nervy man and did
some killing in his day, and he might
have lived longer if he had not grown
careless. You see, Bill, like all men Of
MS class, was always expecting trouble
and was always on guard. Bill for years
had never allowed himself to get into a
position where his keen eye and ready
revolver were not master Of the situa-
ion, but he did allow the drop to be
got on him twice to my knowledge The
irst time was present, and the next
ime-well, Bill was was gone himself
when the second tine came to a climax.
Il will tell you the story Of the time
was present. Now, never knew Bill
% pull his gun TO kill unless it was in
;elf defense or there was no other way
Tho Il |
ways hankered for and would have
if he could, forcibly if he
must. Jim Curry was a coward, but he !
vas determined to acquire a reputation
as bad man, and as Bill Hickok held |
he championship Of the world at that
lime as a killer, Curry thought he
night safely run bluff on Wild Bill.
so he sent Bill word he would kill
lin on sight, not that he had anything
against Bill, but Curry had gone into
he killing business, and he proposed to
lold the center of the stage and show
hat he was displaying energy and apt
tude in his business. Bill paid no at
ention to Curry's talk, not considering
lin in his class.
Zone day L met Curry on the street
II Hays. We went into a saloon kept
y little, nervous, excitable German.
Wild Bills tall form and long, black
lair loomed up at table in the back
art Of the room. His back was toward
Jury and myself. Curry walked over
o the table, standing directly behind
Bill. Before any one suspected what he
you'd do he had his gun against Bill's
ead and said, Now, you long haired
-, I've got you, and you're going
o die Bill never batted an eye nor
moved muscle, but said, You would
lot shoot man down without givin
i'm show to defend his life, would
ou?' Wouldn't /? What show did you
yer give any one, you -
THE Dutchman was dancing around
Ike mad, imploring Jim to put up his
un and for him and Bill to shake
ands. If they would he would stand
reat for the house. which proposition
7as finally accepted. Wild Bill and
i'm Curry shook hands, after which
,ill said. Now Tim I got nctbin |