The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1897-08-27
In Cyclone Streak.

1
| This time last week / didn't know a
| what was goin on over there in that
rugged strip of country which they
| call Cyclone Streak. But soon Friday
m1Ornin little Bunk Weatherford rid by
| to tell us that they would have a big
picnic and public speakin in Cyclone
| Streak that day. Nothin must do but
what must go, and so consequentially
L went with him.
Well, first and last, 1 have lived long
time, been about considerable and seen
Il heap of sights. But that was the
gonebyest, hottest day, and the blam-
dest, most hottest place 1 have ever
driv into, do believe. White people,
if dirk knives and siX-shooters don't
grow on the trees in that country I'll
be essentially fimflamed if l can tell
where they come from in such alarmin.
plenty. And bless the heavens if it
don't look to me like you could take
and saw up the rotten logs over there
and squeeze out moonshine whisky by
the gallon.
1t was ruther late when me and Bunk
driv up that day and they had already
opened the performance. But in the
mainline it would seem like they had
got up a red-hot disputation and some
of the delegates had bOlted the con-
vention- One half of the crowd want
ed to put up six OF their most ablest
young men-three to the side-and
debate the great question as to who
discovered America, whilst the other
side wanted to hire a pair of fddlers
and adopt platform in favor of free
and unlimited good time. That was
the snag on which they first tore the
blanket, and all butttore up the bosom
of mother earth with,a anonymous re-
port in favor of a free fight. When we
driv up the fiddlers were playin little
patches of some lively old tunes like
"Cotton-Eyed joe" and "Mollie Put
the Kettle On" and 'Soapsuds Over the
Fence" whilst one-haIf of the crowd
went on with the dance. Clost by Gus
Harl1ins had cIum into a wagon, opened
the debate and was holdin.forth on the
mainest question:: who discovered
America - Christopher Columbus or
George Washington?"
AS time wore on the dancing waxed
fast and furious, and the speal1in
waXed loud and louder. 1t was then
four bits with one and so cents with
the other as to which could kick up the
most fuss-two fiddlers with their fid-
dies or Gus Harkins with his mouth.
By and by the thing got so sulfurious
hot till sOmethin had to blaze. Tie
fire broke loose out in the edge of the
crowd, and when, the dust riz and the
smoke cleared away there was wound
ed-6; dead-O; badly skeered-217.
When Bunk Weatherford come by
that mornin he fetched the news that
they would have dinner on the ground.
But I didn't see no signs of kitchen
physic. All L could see was people
and empty bottles and six-shooters.
Consequentially when come to think
about it, if had any business to tend
to it was here at home, and / hadn't |
lost nothin over there in Cyclone |
Streak.
When me and Bunk hooked up and |
driv off they hadn't yet settled the |
great question as to who discovered |
America. But Bunk lowed it didn't |
make durn bit of difference with him |
it was Christopher Columbus |
or George Washington or Andy Jack !
son. He was in favor of the resolution |
TO return back home. And come with |
him.