The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-01

not seem remarkable. but considering
the fact that drinking in South Africa
Is synonymous with living, IL is worthy
OF note. Every Englishman working
for the British South African Chartered
company drinks at least one quart Of
brnady a day unless he cannot get IL.
The personality and career of this
man are unique. He dlslikes civiliza-
ton. He hates to wear a collar. Yet
his clothes are of the most expensive
importations. He prefers broadcloth,
and generally swims q river or wallows
in the dusty veldt the first day he puts
on a new suit. After that IL is discard
ed. 1t is a popular saying that one-half
OF Creechs niggers wear some of his
clothes.
He seems to have no conception Of the
value of money. His earnings are mar
velous. The ban at Beira stands ready
to cash his check for 10000 $500. 000).
As a rule he has no savings, but his
credit is good.
This nan Creech is never happy un-
less he is broke" remarked Jameson
TO Rhodes when the former left he tele-
graph job. But I'll back him for any
amount" the latter is said to nave am
swered, because We can't get along
without him.
For two months last year he support
ed so stranded Americans and English
men at Fontes villa, many Of whoa
die and were buried At his expense. On
a native holiday he rode into Beira and
bought out a jewelry store, distributing
the contents to his bla cSs.
His swagger as he rolls along the
street is a constant challenge IN a COM
munity where physical prowess is the
only safe passport. bur aven the burliest
hesitate to dislodge the chip, for Creech
is first and foremost a fighter, and has
worked his way to the top in great meas
ure through his ability to take ard
knocks.
Creech is now 30 years DID He began
a checkered career by running of from
home to join the navy whei 16 years Of
age. The deception was exposed by his
family and he had TO leave. Nothing
daunted he next Joined d cavalry regi-
ment in the United states army, ana be-
fore his age was learned he hau become
an expert circus rider.
He then emigrated 10 Peru. and foi a
time ran a locomotive at Cal!ao until
the fever nearly finish ID him. He land
ed at San Francisco with "A fortune con-
sisting of a curious pam hat, with
which he bribed the railroai conductor
to carry him to Butte.
At that time Butte was agi.lted over
the depredations of a gang Of horse
thieves who had created a reign of ter
~ 'hN iti III IlS Jus - A4du Dttu
repulsed and no one volunteered 10 make
a second attempt.
The sheriff finally SUI creeuCd in re-
cruiting Creech as his deputy. Single
handed the young fellow captured three
of the horse thieves WI n II horses and
broke up the gang He became a terror
to lawbreakers
His last act as a deputy vas to cap
ture the celebrated Indian outlaw Red
Tongue. whose crimes Dra Erin toII 20
scare little children. Creech tTailsd him
Tor days across prairies and plains and
hnally landed him after a desperate
fight with knives.
After this the life became uneventful
and ne decided to try his fortune in
South Africa. His companion was Will
lam l.. Reader. a Michigan man who
married Miss Creech.
The story of the courtship is rather
amusing. Creech was the champion
hammer thrower of Montana. He had
never been defeated. On a field day held
by the athletic club of the town the
hammer throwing contest narrowed
down to Creech and the tall
the latter winning out by several feet.
The vanquished athlete shook the
others hand warmly, and assured him
he bore no hard feelings toward him,
and introduced him 10 Miss Nellie
Creech with the observation: Say lit
tie girl, this guy is all right. He's the
only man that ever beat me with the
hammer. You'd better take him."
Creech got a start in South Africa by
leading an expedition into the Murchi-
son range, a new gold field north of the
Transvaal. He discovered some rich
claims n got hold of them for his COM
pany. He afterwards went up to the
east coast. He walked inland for 200
miles, living on the spoils of his rifle
and eventually got in with Cecil
Rhodes.
He organized the ~"Packamesi Boys"
a black brigade which is employed in
carrying goods from the end of the Beira
railway to Salisbury. These boys carry
great loads in a kind of hammock called
"machilla."
They wear horns on their heads and
strings OF nuts on their ankles which
rattle when shaken. One can hear them
coming through the swamps a mile
ahead. shouting at the top of their lungs
"Ninka Mafuto tia Boss Creech,' II
fly like a bird for Boss Creech."
Creech is not an educated man, but
brilliant i'm languages and in Yankee in
genuity. OF the 10000 Americans in
South Africa he is probably nearer 10
the powers than any of them.