The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-08-24
IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
THE DRAMATIC EXIT OF OLD CAP
FROM uIFE'S STAGE.

Wild Death. and He Summoned a
Wild Audience to See Him Do His
Final Wild Act.
"The longing for the center Of the
stage exists not only in the centers of
said a man who had gone
west, made his pile in mining and
come back to enjoy himself. You'll
find it up In the Rockies among the
hardest. toughest citizens that ever
handled pick or shot a bear. The
melOdramatic instinct is mighty strong
In most men. and the glare Of the cal
cium Is eagerly sought after by many
who won't admit it. l knew an old
man out In Arizona some years ago
who was one Of this kind. He was
about the most don't give darn cuss
ever knew. He lived up in the noun
tains, about ten miles back Of Tucson,
all by himself.
"Iiow he managed to live l never
nAS"s Oul uc Sccl1ttl cOuttIteu. II Is
evil deeds never seemed to worry him
any. and the Lord knows his record
was black enough. He had been IL
great gun fighter in his time, and even
In the days speak Of it wouldn't do to
tread on his toes. He loved to tell of
his wild life. and the frankness with
which be related his somewhat Ques-
tiOpable escapades made him an excel
lent entertainer II you didn't happen
to feel squeamish. Squeamishness isn't
a common fault out that way. and
everybody knew and liked Old Cap
that's what they called him-except
the few who had been in trouble with
him at one time or another.
Now, no one ever thought that Old
Cap was spectacular. He was the last
man on earth who would be thought
likely to want the center OF the stage
for any Of his stunts. But he did. and
the climax Of his life was more pyr0-
technical than any mains | ever got
mixed up with. He certainly did go
out in a blaze of glory. 1t all happen
ed about seven years ago. l was In
Tucson. 4 lot of us boys We're sitting
around IN front Of a ginmill one after
noon, just talking about things in gen.
eral. Our horses were tied in the yard
at the back. 1t was a mighty fine day,
just warm enough for solid comfort
out of doors, and with the sky as clear
as absolute dryness could make it. 1t
was one Of these days, you know,
when you throw your chest out and
congratulate yourself Oh being alive.
LAS ! was saying. we all sat on easy
wicker chairs, talking and whiting
reckon, when down the street came a
1O-year-old boy riding Il broncho. We
recognized him as yOungster who
lived a couple Of miles this side Of Old
Caps on the same trail. He rode right
up to where we were sitting and rolled
off his horse, with his eyes a-popping
and his breath a-panting.
"'What's the matter, bubY asked q
| tall Texan. who was in the party.
"'Old Cap says t. come right up t
his place right off an fetch all tn meI
yer kin git. Tn Injuns is comm"
1.-The Indians were always liable t(
| UuSl lOOSc anu uO uOUOul
suspected, so we got our horses out il
jiffy and started up the trail to save
! Old Cap. There were about a dozen Of
US, and we had our Winchesters and 81,
shooters with us. When we got neal
| to Old Caps we slowed up bit an(
began to look pretty sharp for Indians
| but not a sign Of a redskin could ",
| see.
"'We'll be in time, boys said tn
Texan. who was leading the band. e
we get to Old Caps cabin we kin stan,
off Il pretty smart lot
| "Old Caps cabin was situated in
clearing off the trail around bend
with high rocks hiding it until yo
came out in the open. We reached tn
turn in safety and swept around it a
full gallop. There we saw, first Of al
the little cabin looking as snug q
usual. and then we noticed Old Ca
sitting astride keg about ten feet i
front Of his door. His big, gray SOL
brero was cooked to one side, and th
red scarf about his neck gave him tn
look Of Il stage hero Of the plains. II
had heard our horses hoofs beatin
the rocky trail before we wheeled int
view. and he was ready for us. Wal
ing until we had come within Is yard
Of him. he lifted his hat and moved
above his head with q hoarse, will
yell AS think of it now it sounde
like the cry Of Il madman. Then b
reached into his pocket and drew fort
a match. This he drew carefully acroS
a rock which was within reach Of til
keg upon which lie sat, and saving
from the breeze until it was safel
lighted he opened his legs and droppe
1t between them.
"There was a yellow puff Of smoi
r tinged with a flash of red. and then
terrific roar. Old Caps body flew SIX,
ward. and when it came down it didn
look like n human beings. He ha
r been sitting on a keg of powder az
t had deliberately blown himself u
Funny thing for 4 man to do. WASH
it? Old Cap apparently got tired (
life and decided to kill himself. E
wanted an audience. So he sent tt
5 kid out to drum one up. He got VIII
he wanted. but it wasn't very symp
4 thetic one. Men don't go much on gu:
e out there and the Texan was n lit
a sore about the trick we'd had playt
e on u.s. He helped to straighten out Il
. corpse. and then he sat down on
bowlder and gazea at 1t.
WELL he said finally, he certain
did give himself n good send of! Al
f the rest OF the gang guffawed lo'
enough to start the echoes down L
It valley.
+. But it was all pretty human VIII
Il you come to think Of it. Old Cap h'
e the center Of the stage when the CT
r. tain dropped. and his audience tn
e proceeded to forget him."-Chicago
;" ter Ocean.
'e When the drop curtain goes do
- men go out and put down anotl
ID drop