The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-19
CITY MARSHAL OF CUSTER CITY.



Custer City Correspondent Of the Chicago
Record.
During his official career. City Marshal
Ross has seen some stirring times and
has had some interesting experiences. The
toughest person that ever lived at Custer
City was Benjamin rankin Fowler, bet
ter known as 'Fly-Specked Billy" be-
cause of the freckles on his face. He
gave Ross a good deal of trouble. but his
career was suddenly ended one night af-
ter he had amused himself teaching ten
derfoots to dance. "Fly-Specked Billy"
having a keen sense of humor. approach
ed a party of strangers who were visit
ing the city, and by firing his revolver
at their feet made them hop about until
they were tired, This innocent diversion
provoked an encounter with another prom
inent citizen who attempted TO interfere
and was killed. Public sentiment then
asserted itself, and "Fly-Specked Billy
was taught TO dance at the end of
rope by Mr.. Ross and others.
Joe Peltz, the stage driver, told me an
interesting story of what occurred be-
tween that eminent citizen and my friend
Ross at ball that was given in Custer
while the town was on the boom. Mr..
Ross, being city marshal, established
himself on a wide landing for the pur-
pose OF LhklfS CHdTBe VI tuS WtdpOhS
worn by the guests, and, as he knew
everybody and had their confidence, it
was no trouble for him to secure bushel
or more revolvers as they passed upstairs
into the ballroom Finally "Fly-Specked
Billy" came along. Ross asked Tor his
revolver telling him that he would not
need IL in the ballroom, as everybody else
was unarmed.
"Biu was naturally ugly" said Mr..
| A1I1 A afn
been drinkIn' some which made him cross
and contrary; so ne says to Ross, says ne:
| I'm a bad man from the Sunny South,
and / don't give up my gun to nobody
Whereat Ross says: I'm bad man
from right here and let's him have one
right under the ear. Billy fell like bag
of oats, and lay on the landing as slit
as a wedge. Ross picked the guns ana
knives off his person and kicked his car
cass downstairs.
ROSS was never afraid of nobody"
said Mr.. Peltz. Though he is a quiet
man and modest in his ways, he has got
all the nerve that is necessary. l seen
him do a little thing once which mighty
few men could have done. was goln
down the trail one day Ia early times,
and meetin' Ross, he asked me IL I'd seen
some parties in a wagon.
Yes says l. three of en-
WAS they armed?'
One was for sure. I didn't notice
the Others
"'IIe's the man I'm after says Ross.
| and I'd like you to go along with me,
for they is three OF 'em, and / may need
help. I want you to cover the other two.
| while ] take my man.
"'Wa'l said /, I won't be much help,
because l amt got no arms
You can take my gum says Ross.
'What'll you dor says I.
"'Oh, I'll git along somehow says Ross:
III take care of myself
so we started on, and soon came up
| to 'em, three men in a wagon. Ross, he
rode up and says kind of confidential like
10 the one he wanted: My friend says
| he, kin / have few words with you
In privateT The man hestated a minnlt.
but seeing Ross was unarmed. he got
out of the wagon and him and Ross walk
ed UP the trail a piece, talkin' as quiet as
could be. / couldn't hear what they said,
but when they got around the bend from
the wagon, ! seen Ross all at once make
a spring at him. He got a twist around
his arms, bent him over back, reached
down and drew the two guns from the
strangers belt. Then he let him go. back
ed up a few PAGES and tod the stranger
to hold up his hands. The stranger was
mussin' mad. He suttenly did use some
hard language. That's a fact. never
seen a man talk worse in all my life, and
the cause of his grievance was that Ross
had took advantage OF him and had got
his guns by a trick.
After allowin' him to talk on for a
while Ross calmly called TO me to dis
arm the other two. I told 'em to pass
over their guns. One said he hadn't
none. The other began TO pull a pistol
from bis holster when I told him I'd pre-
fer him 10 unbuckle his belt and let me
have the whole oontrapuon. He un-
buckled and threw the belt and the gun
on the ground.
Ross then brought the other man, stiii
cussin', and told him to get into the wagon
and drive back to town. Him and me,
we followed on horseback, GOVERN them
with our guns, and took 'em up TO the
Jail"
who were they and what had they
done?"
II never knew The sheriff Of Deadwood
telegraphed to Ross 10 get 'em, and he
come down after 'em a few days later"
Custer City is a very quiet town to-day
compared with what II used to be in olden
times There are some good mines in the
neigh borhood, but most Of the inhabitants
OF the county are engaged In farming The
valleys are fruitful, and will produce al
most anything that grows. The noun
tains that surround the place are cover
ed with good grazing. II is altogether the
most delightful spot in the Black Hills.
Ross stlll lives here, hale and hearty, and
has "A little cabin on the outskirts OF the
town in which he lives alone for his wife
is dead and his daughter Is married. His
cabin is ornameted with specimens OF ore
from the "Old Bllr' mine, which he
owns and IL trying to raise money to de-
velop. A party Of capitalists Is now In
vestigatlng the property. with view OF
buying II, and 1 hope that he will die