The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-13
M,1oLGIN IND THE BEAR.
a Beln,cd Attempt TO wis the championship
OF the Eik River Country.


CLAY COURT HOUSE. W. Va, March S.-Back
about the year 1915 there came to the Kanawha
Valley salt mines, in what is now West Virginia.
a big, broad shouldercd young fellow, who put
out his shinglc as "Dr. Triplett." Those were
days when Drawn and muscle were important
factors in a mans standing in the community.
The salt workers were rough ana ready, mus
cular follows. who enjoyed n bout with their
fists now and then as necessary to their physi-
cal welfare. 1t was II custom when n stranger
came to camp to give him a cordial welcome
and then make preparations to test his muscle.
The demonstrations were limited only by the
amount of corn juice on hand and the staying
qualities of the victim. First he was invited to
stand up against one ofthe less powerful fellows
In camp. and II he vanquished him another was
put up. and SO on, until his rating in the ON
munity was finally settled.
Triplett was a powerful man and absolutely
fearless. Feats of strength and agility per-
formed by him in his advanced years are house
hold stories among the mountaineers OF Clay
county, of which DIR. Triplett WAS the first actual
settler. Notwithstanding HIS athletic appear
ance. the young doctor did not escape the usual
initiation. Man after man was brought up. and
down one after another went before his terrible
blows. until he had vanquished every man in
camp. From that time the doctor was the most
IN W b'bt " So'thbS ~ t"S e'hNs ~
there for a year or so. and becoming restless
with the desire for further adventure and
attracted by the stories of the beautiful
scenery of tho mountain wilderness of Elk
River. where bears. panthers, and deer
roamed undisturbed by encroRching civilization,
he shouldered q gun and with his dogs started
up Elk River to find a home in the mountains.
He travelled until he came to a beautiful place
near the mouth OF Buffalo River, u tributary OF
U,tt- nj - IL "A ..-
tho first settlement ever attempted i in that coun-
try. Here no lived. with his dogs, killing bears.
panthers. and deer. and trapping otter and other
fur animals for a number of years without being
disturbed. About once a year he would return
to civilization, sell his furs, and lay in a supply
of salt, powder, whiskey, &c.
Several years after Trlplett left tho salt works
along came a giant lrisbman named David Nc:
initiation as Triplett and came out victorious
after breaking several Jaws and wipinR the
the nerve TO tackle him: Tho Irishnan didn't
seem TO gain the fayoro OF the men 10 tho same eN'
tent as TripIe'i h%d ana I b. was m SGnsta hit sb os,f tG
dean up the camp. but there was q fellow up
Elk River who could thrash the hide off OF him."
This taunt Slung McCol2ins pride, and one day.
he vowed he would go mp Fix River, seek Trip
lett and linen and there settle the championship
Of the country. Tho. next morning he SGT out;
ana en- the evening Of the third day he presented
himself at the cabin OF pr. Tripletl and, an,
| Alicghanies, and had walked all the way from
tho salt works TO settle Iihc, championship Of
that pnrt Of tho country. lie looked at TrlpletL
a moment and then invited him 10 get ready 10
fight him 10 . finish.
TriplrIt. who was rather amused. at the war
like Concentrations of the first white man he
had seen for a long time and wished to enjoy his
society before hOstilities opened, sized the irish
man up and lhOn replied:
"Woll, stranger am ready TO ACCOMMODATING
YOU. and | believe | can thrash you. but | don't
want 10 take any advantage of you. You are
tired; you've walked for three days. and it's
getting late; suppose you eome in and have
SOME supper and get a good nights rest. sAd