Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-06
from Texas to wyoming, from Jehosephat

from Texas to Wyoming. from Jehosephat
TO Joplin"
Bailey was a holy terror to the evildoers
out in the San Juan country said this
friend OF his who had known him in Colo
he came West. He'd been running a steam
boat between ST. Louis and New Orleans
and came out in the mountains and started
a saloon Things We're pretty lively those
days and the boys We're mighty reckless.
One night the gang started in to make a
rough house out of the Golden Nugget
and began by shooting holes through the
glass mirrors. oscar, who Is not a very
large man, sprang over the counter at the
crack of the first gun, ran 10 the only
entrance 10 the building and planting him
self squarely in the doorway. commanded
every man to lay his pistol upon the bar.
The tOugEs covered and none of them ever
that they couldn't stop, and the Golden
Nugget" was one of the most orderly sa-
looms in the district.
In n LeadviIle Dance House.
"one night in Leadville the miners had a
big dance TO celebrate the opening of a
new lead" and as Bailey was a splendid
violinist. he furnished the music. In the
more couples were on the floor, a drunken
miner started a disturbance. The fellow
was an acknowledged bully and every one
seemed to he afraid of him.. Men hesi-
Jated to act, and women shrank away in
fear. Bailey was sitting on the little plat
form playing a familiar breakdown when
III ~ AllN hN ohC VIlh Va tAO
room. Without stopping the music or los
Ing a note, he walked over to the intruder
and administered a series of kicks that sent
hIm yelling out OF the front door, and then,
still saving away on his old violin. he re-
sumed his place and the dance went on"
As n Deputy Marshal.
Bailey was a deputy United States
marshal down in the Oklahoma territory
under Jim Masterson and was one of the
warmest friends the old Indian fighter had.
He was his right hand man in several
fierce encounters. He WAS in the Strip be-
fore and after the opening and his labor
and money did much toward giving Okla
homa the splendid start it has made. He
Guthrie and Oklahoma City he is as well
known as he is at Pittsburg. where he has
made his home and settled down.
Never Killed n Man.
Unlike most men of his kind, Bailey.
while brave. fearless and sometimes daring.
never killed a man in all of his remarkable
experience, and he never pulled a gun I'M
less ii was absolutely necessary. He could
do more with his naked fists and relied
upon his physical resources rather than his
shooting irons when it came TO a tight
place. He could knock a man down quicker
than he could bat an eye, and always chose
10 do Ii rather than shoot his antagonist
full of holes. Whenever Bailey was host il
could be depended upon that there would
be order, and while he was in the saloon
business his places We're always the popular
resorts. Tor he not only maintained order,
but he knew how TO mix any kind of a
drink from a sour toddy to a ia Belle
Marie"
Down at P~ittsburg the old scout is known
as Professor Bailey" the title having been
lately bestowed upon him because of his
recent success as a of popular
musical in the city of coal. and all of the
children hum his airs. His knowledge OF
music was picked up at idle moments. but
he has mastered the art as he has several
others.
The old timers are fast going. and Oscar
Bailey is one of the few that are left.
J. G. S.