The Florence tribune., 1897-05-15
THE PASSING OF NAVAJO BILL.

' camp fire, the old cattlelnan was morose. He had just returned from Phoenix. whither he had been to attend the wel- | ding of his old friend Navajo Bill. Bill was not an Indian, by any means; but had gained the sobriquet while in the Arizona Legislature from the fact that he had introduced bill for the forma- tion of Navajo county. He was the principal owner of the hash-knife brand, and thoroughly understood all the details of the cattle business.
 "I'll tell you what it is, fellers," re- marked the old cattlemau, ''I don't want no more society in mine, and from this time on you'll not catch me more than four miles from the grub wagon. Just to think that that little cuss Navajo Bill should hev so far forgot hisself as to go and do what he has done makes my heart bleed butt shall try and let it bleed inwardly.
 "When got that invite to the we'd ding, thinks to myself I'll jest fork my hoss and take spin down to the city, see Bill tied, kiss the bride, shake my foot time or two and then mosey back to camp.
 But the result proved somewhat different. When reached town I put my hoss in a corral and struck out for Jew store to get some new togs, as I allowed that Bill and his gal shouldn't be ashamed of my pussonal appear ance. But fust l stopped in at the Palace and put jolt or two under my jumper. Adopting the etiquette of Red Dog. I invited everybody to drink with me, and to the health of my friend Navajo Bill, who, I explained. was about to be hitched to the fairest of her sect. There was some hundred and fifty men rounded up in the saloon. not counting the pianner-player and her pardner, and as insisted on them ell drinking it cost me pretty plenty. But everything went.
 "Well, as was saying, went to the Jew store, bought myself silk hand kerchisf, twenty-dollar sombrero, brand-new pair of chaps, and sallied forth, as the story writers say. In- quiring the way to Bills jacal, I found him at home all right all right.
 "'Bil, when does it come off?' in- quired. Tonight at the Methodist church. 'Seguro, I'll be thar, and I was; but, as they didn't allow me to pack my gun, come mighty near not malsin' it. A spruce young feller with i his hair parted in the middle wasn't a-going to let me in. But I told him hadn't been in an iglesia for thirty year. and didn't think the walls would fall on me. I made bold stand and the dade weakened. got good seat close to the middle trail. and waited for the ball to open. In the meantime my think-tank was at work, and I thought much. Here's Navajo Bill, likely a puncher as ever busted broneho or caused cow to soil her hecks. He's got dough and yeerning ambition to bea United States Marshal; Pm afeerd it will prove too much for him, and l wept silent tear. The associations of such people as I tees around me can't help but be de- moralizing. Just look at them women, how they was rigged out-and them dudes, with their swaller-tailed coats. Poor Bill and I wept another silent tear.
 "But, just then big rooster went to the pianner with stove-pipe attach Inents, touched few keys, and Gee whizl snch rnusicl It reminded me of steam caliope heard on the Mississippi when I was kid A female behind me remarked that it was the low-and grin wedding march. But it wasn't very low and didn't feel much like grinning for here comes the bridal party down the middle trail. And dog-gone my buttons if Bill didn't have one of them swaller-tailed coats on hisself Well, that let me out on Bill. But the bride, she was shore purity, and didn't blame Bill so much. The outfit lined up before the padre, and somebody whispered, Who's going to give away the bride?' It was then I jumped to my feet and reached for my gun. Fortunate for the gent who asked the question, wasn't heeled for if there is any one thing despise whole lot it is incinerations of this kind. My actions and the few choice remarks let loose came close onto causing 8 stampede, but the critters got to milling and soon they was quieted down.
 'When the padre finished the job walked up to the front, shook Bill by the hand and made bluff to kiss the bride; but Bill whispered in my ear, That won't do, old hoss; I'll see you later' Thisriled me considerable; but I oannludad fo wait and hear his ex-