Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-04-01

glanced at the newcomer. Then he
reached for his revolver.
| There's my mani" he remarked,
calmly, in an undertone, to the marshal.
| sect back from the bar, please"
Wylie, dumfounded, did as he was
hidden, in time to see the stranger look
up just as Mr.. Meeks got him covered
Islands up, Mr.. Williams!" com.
manded the little man. 81 want you'll"
With an oath, the other 'drew," and
| for few seconds there was confusion
of shots, in which the city marshal
could take no part by reason of his re-
volver getting stuck and refusing to
come forth. Then the stranger threw
up both hands, in token of surrender.
"Have you-er-a pair of handouts,
'em on him. please. Sorry, Mr.. Will
liams, but l can't take any chances with
you"
Williams did not answer, but growled
angrily under his breath as he submit
ted to being handcuffed.
"Pll git you for this!" he said to
Wylie, as the latter stepped back after
finishing the operation.
ooh, we will, will ye? Wait ontell my
friend, Mr.. Mecks, gifts through 18th We,
Mr.. Williams" was the cheerful reply.
'Want t. put i'm in tn cooler?" asked
the marshal, presently.
"No, thanks. He'll bunk with me to-
night, and tomorrow we leave. Much
obliged, all the same"
1t was not more than an hour before
every one in Buffalo Horn knew that lit
tie Mr.. Meeks had, singlc-handed, cap
tured the notorious Kingfsher Will
liams, after a short battle in which no.
body was hurt; and the general senti-
ment was of the "well, I'li be dog
goned!" variety.
That night Mr.. Meeks had levee and
blushingly received the congratulations
of the best citizens of Buffalo Horn dur
ing a period of two hours, the while his
now stanch friend, Jim Wylie, obliging-
lyguarded his deperate prisoner. Had he
had been less temperate man, he might
have retired somewhat the worse for
liquor, as did most of the citizens of
Buffalo Horn; but he kept his wits
oner when they turned in.
Next morning a half-score of leading
citizens had sufficiently recovered from
the nights revelries to accompany him
and his prisoner to Four-Mile Creek.
This honor was modestly protested
against by the little man, who seemed
not to see that he had done anything re-
mnrkable, but he was hooted down, and
when they reached Four-Mile his es-
cort parted with him with three rous-
ing cheers and volley of revolver
shots by way of salute.
1t was about one o'clock in the after
neon when an excited, hatless man,
mounted on painting horse that
| dripped with perspira ton, 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 announced:
'Kingfshcr-he's killed 'im!"
What? Who?" asked Winslow.
"What we talkin' about, MANI"
The stranger was gasping for breath,
puo " CA pain ina
90 miles south, he had been resting
under tree by a stream, when little
man and a big man, whom he had
known in Kingfsher as "Kingfsher"
Williams, came along and dismounted
near by. The little man was leaning
over to get a drink when Williams
snealSed up behind him and struck him
1nIyn with hic hon 4 ffay fhic
said the stranger, he saw Williams take
the keys from the little mans pocket
and unlock his handouts. Then he
shot the insensible victim with the lat
tcr'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-'r else git
tn drop on i'm wen e hit little Meeks
WI tn bracelets?" asked Jim Wylie,
fiercely.
"'Cause, in the first place, didn't
think ed kill tn man. Secondhand
the stranger eyed Wylie quizzically-
II reckon We hain't real we'll acquainted
18th Kingfsher Williams, be YEP"
In less than an hour the little town was
practically depopulated of men, all but
the cashier of the local bank and a few
bartenders having gone on the war
path to catch and hang Kingfisher Will
liams for the murder of Mr.. Meeks. The
stranger did not accompany them, his
horse being blown and himself not be-
ing anxious to meet Mr.. Williams.
However, it made no difference, as every
enc knew the ford which the stranger
said was the scene of the tragedy.
Thus, nearly every one being gone
southwark to mete out justice to the al
legged murderer of Mr.. Meeks, it was
really child's play for that gentleman
and Mr.. Williams, emerging from their
hiding places 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 sa-
loon in the place, and to get safely away
en- fresh horses at least three hours be,
a 4