The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-07
HAD TO GET OFF THE EARTH.
when tho Railroad Reached tho Old From
tiersmnn'a Last Stand. UncIc Eb Died.

tiersman'a Last Stand. UncIe Eb Died.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, Nov. 3.-Eb Radford. the
old frontiersman, is dead. He died at his home
at Stockdale, Tex. q few days ago. Uncle Eb"
was a typical frontiersman. He fought Indians
on the plains and mountains OF southwest Texas
forty years ago and killed many buffaloes. He
liked the excitement of a wild, frontier life. and
as the old order OF things passed away he grew
respondent. and of late years he lived in almost
complete seclusion in his little cabin in
the outskirts of the town. He spent many
hours trampins along the banks Of the
little river which flows through the town.
He resented the advance OF civilization.
and n few months ag1 when some business
men of Stockdnle began eXerting themselves to
raise a bonus to be given the projectors of a
railroad to the place. Uncle Eb was up in arms
against the enterprise. Despite his objections
the required bonus was raised, and 1t was an
nounced that track laying was progressing rap
idly toward tho town.
"Ef the railroad is ter como here / only hope
I won't live tor SEQ the fust train arrive" said
Uncle Eb. THAR amt any frontier no moro
and what's the use of me livini I've been told
ter go way from here CT / don't like to see the
town make any progress. but whar will | so :
Tai'nt no use huntin' fur a frontier. guess 1
hev lived too long. belong to the good old age,
9r sSr liic anu but H' We're s' faii OF honesty mesH ' asd i iriend /
ship for their fellow men,"
Thus Uncle Eb soliloquized. but finally no be-
came resigned 10 the enterprise which the town
was showing. lie even seemed to catch the con-
tagion, and 1t Was noticed that he was more
active and full OF business than he had been for
years. One day one of Uncle Eds friends con-
graduated the old man on his appearance. -,
1--WE got lr rustic around pretty lively now"
he replied, "scein' that tho railrond will soon
be here. I've got ter get nv fairs in shape to
shuttle OFT before that road gets hero. It's time
fer me to get Off the earth when there amt no
longer no frontier
The questionor paid littlo attention TO these
remarks of the old man, particularly AZ tho lat
ter continued 10 busy himself around his little
home day after day. lie repaired the fence
which inclosed tho patch OF g9rden. and then
whiteweshed every paling. All the weeds in
the truck garden were removed. and there was
a general cleaning up of the place that attracted
the attention OF many people of he village.
The track laying on the railroad still con-
tinucd. and each day men would come in from
the front and report the progress that had been
made for that day and give The exact distance
from the toN II TO tho end OF tho track. Finally.
In tho clear stiffness OF one bright morning
there was heard the whistle OF the engine of tho
construction train. Uncle Eds Keen ears heard
the sound. and he was observed by neighhors 20
work around his place until an unusually late
hour that evening.
pears like | wont get through before tibet rail,
road gets here ef i don't work early ana lRIc,'
remarked the old man TO tho postmaster the
next daN.
tic Of the locomotive. Uncle Eb went down to
the village store and there saw n flaming poster
announcing in large type that the nrst train at
Stockdale would arrive Just n week from that
with u grand barbecue and speeehIuaking by
prominent persons. Tho old man stood long be.
fore the poster and slowly and carefully spelled
out every word OF The announcemonL He took