Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-07-13


Smith, who during the action was
the coolest man in the room, then
proceeded to make . little speech,
more for the benefit Of the crowd than
for Wyoming Frank, who, he knew
would never give him any more
trouble. i am the city marshal OF
this town, he said, employed to pre-
serve order and to see that the laws
are obeyed. shall treat everybody
fairly and respectfully, but want it
distinctly understood that no guns
will be carried except by those au.
thorized by law to carry them. |
shall take all weapons to the mayors
office, and when owners get ready to
leave town they can call there and
get them. Now get up" he exclaimed,
emphasizing the command with no
slight pressure Of his toe to the cow
ering hulk at his feet. The deathlike
stiffness pervaded the room as Wy.
oming Frank rose slowly to his feet.
There was back door to the saloon,
out Of which he disappeared without
word Where he went no one
knew. Possibly he may have joined
Hawkins, but neither was ever again
seen in Abilene.
"After Franks undignihed depar-
ture not a word was spoken by any
one present for several minutes, but
the silence was then broken by faro
dealer, who was kind Of leader
among the sports. BY c. he
exclaimed, that's about the nerviest
play | ever saw, and want to say to
you boys that that kind Of man
catches my friendship. Here, Mr..
Marshal, he said, turning to Smith,
you haven't asked me for it, but
here's my gun. Such an exhibition
Of pure, unadulturated nerve ought
to win out the friendship ofeyery de-
cent man in the town. This was thu
signal of the crowd, and they al
pressed forward, offering to give W
ther guns. Many in the crowd wcr'
glad Of an opportunity to get out 0
the bad pradicament in which theil
loud Boosting had placed them, for
after witnessing Smiths nerve, Their
was not one among them who daret
face the man who had coolly walket
up to the muzzle Of gun, and, with
out the display Of single weapon
disarmed and put to rout the wors
man in the camp. Never mind
boys, ! couldn't carry them all re
marked Smith; 4, only ask you t
leave them off while in town. Til
proprietor of the saloon asked a
hands to name their pizen' at the e'
pense of the house, after which tn
crowd dispersed, and from that tim
on until fall, when Smith met an av
full death. no guns were carried i
Abilene.
"Smith was killed while attempt
ing the arrest Of a murderer abou
three miles from Abilene who ha
driven off the sheriff and posse.
appears that couple Of Scotchme
had had trouble with an Irishma
over some of the latter's cattle d.
stroying some of their corn. A her
law had just gone into effect, and
there were no fences, trouble of ths
character was common. One OF tn
Scotchmen, after wordy war wit
, the Irishman, deliberately killed hin
and, with his partner, took refuge
their dugout and defed arrest. III
sheriff and his crowd had been drive
off. and came to town for more he'll
u Smith, who loved adventure, an
y seemed to court danger, at once vo
unteered to take couple of men viii
: him and bring the murderer il
When they approached the dugout,
> seems, one of the Scotchmen was
y the rear, chopping wood. The OF
4 on the inside discovered the approat
Il and cut loose with a Winchester OF
. of the sl4ts taking effect in Smith
d breast. The two deputies fled, b.
y Smith. desperately wounded as /
' was, sprang into the cabin, threw Il
b. mnrAerer IN the Hoor and had nea