Amador ledger., 1900-07-06
HE LOVED TO FIGHT.
A LITTLE MAN WHO WOULD RATHER
SHOOT THAN EAT.

S1O0l lT1ftN 6Nt.
Odds Didn't Figure With Jack Wat
son When He Concluded to Go Into
a Melee, and His Nerve Once Saved
an Innocent Man.
'gThe gamest man and the best fight
er that | ever knew-and I've known
quite number In my day-was little
Jack Watson of California" remarked
Senator william NJ. Stewart of Nevada
one day In Washington when he was
In story telling mood to party Of
interested listeners.
watson had been a member of Jack
Hayes famous company, and, though
he didn't weigh over 120 pounds and
In height measured but feet inches,
he would fight at the drop of a hat the
biggest man that ever breathed. !
don't know what state gave him birth,
but he was a native of the south, and
all the pioneers of Texas knew him
we'll
"The little chap didn't provoke diff
culties, but verify believe he enjoyed
fighting for its own sake, and odds
didn't figure with him once he con-
cluded to go into a melee. His long
suit was shooting, and deadlier shot
never fingered revolver.
81 shall never forget the first time
that Jack Watson and L met, for the
circumstance was of the sort that
burns itself upon a mans. memory. 1
was riding into a mining camp In Ne
vada county and stopped at a watering
trough to let my beast drink. About
the same time a stranger of very
our animals refreshed themselves we
engaged ia some casual conversation.
The stranger was Watson.
Before we exchanged half a dozen
sentences our attention was attracted
by a great noise, and. looking around,
we saw at least 200 men coming our
way with prisoner. The prisoner
was remarkably fine looking man,
but his captors had stripped him to the
waist, and the evident intention was to
| fog him.
Before could hardly realize what
was happening Watson spoke up, Dare
you go in with me and stop these InenT
1t seemed bravado, but there was
ring in the small ones voice that
sounded like business, and l, being
young and foolish, answered. 4 dare
eve rushed after the mob at racing
speed, and when 1 got close enough to
the leaders I yelled at the top of my
lungs: Hold on. boys; you've got the
wrong man!
"This was an inspiration, for l real
ly knew nothing Of the case, but !
hated to see such a magnificent looking
fellow undergo the humiliation of
public beating. But my cry caused
halt, and with Watson beside me l
repeated that they had the wrong man
and, still using my highest notes, call
ed for the appointment Of committee.
ut is curious how easily mob is
sometimes swayed. In less than ten
minutes this one, previously so 'impas-
stoned, had calmed down and was lis
tening quietly to the investigations Of
the committee, of which had been
made chairman.
at seems that the prisoner was, as !
| apprehended, a respectable and worthy
| man. and he had letters upon him that
vouched for his integrity. He had
| been accused of stealing 5000 in gold
| by a miner. but we not only established
his innocence. but started an examina-
| tion that led to the discovery of the
| real thief
''After this saw Jack no more till
| one day in San Francisco, when /
| found him in most wretched condi-
| ton. He had gone to political meet
| ing where he was persona non grata,
and there was immediate trouble. Jack
killed two men, but was himself al
| most rddled with bullets. An old ne
gro took me to him, and | found him
in an apparently dying condition. If
he had one bullet hole in him. he had
20 He had no doctor. no nurse no
| food. no friend but the old darky.
Il got him room in good hotel
and the best physician money could
| hire. The doctor thought he had a
bare chance TO live, but was very du-
bious of his pulling through. His nerve
| saved him. and in a few weeks he
was going around as game as ever.
"The next news Of Jack came from
Pasadena. He had gone to ball and,
| aspiring to the favor of the belle of
the town. reused the enmity Of dozen
young gallants. The shooting began
while the function was still in prog
ress, but it was a bad day for Jack
Watson's assailants, for when the fir
ing ceased there were five of them
corpses. while be escaped unhurt.
Jack finally became a member of
the legislature and, strange to say, died
a peaceful death, respected and loved
by all his neighbors. ."-Washingt
Post.
Caufioua Prncedure