Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-05-26

IL Melee, and His Nerve Once Saved
an Innocent Mun.
"The gamcst man and the best fight
" that | ever kncw-and Eve known
quite a 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 a party of
interested listeners.
watson had been member of Jack
Hayes famous company, and, though
he didn't weigh over 12O pounds and
in height measured but feet q inches,
he would fight at the drop of n hat the
biggest man that ever breathcd.
don't know what state gave him birth,
but he was Il native of the south, and
all the pioneers of Texas knew him
well.
The little chap didn't provoi diff
cultics but ! verify believe lie enjoyed
fighting for its own sake, and odds
didn't figure with him once lie con-
clulcd to 90 into a melee. His long
suit was shooting, and deadlicr shot
never fingered n revolver.
81 shall never forget the first time
circumstance was of the sort that
burns itself upon mans memory.
was riding into a mining camp in Ne
vada county and stopped Mt watering
trough to let my beast drink. About
the same time stranger of very
diminutive stature rode up, and while
our animals refreshed themselves we
engaged in some casual conversation.
The stranger was Watson.
Before we exchanged half 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 a 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 men?
1t seemed bravado, but there was a
ring in the small ones voice that
sounded like business, and |, being
young and foolish, answered, Il dare.
1--WE rushed after the mob at racing
speed, and when | got close enough to
the leaders yelled at the top of my
lungs: Hold on. boys; you've got the
wrong man"
This was an inspiration, for | real
ly knew nothing of the case, but |
hated to see such magnificent looking
fellow undergo the humiliation of Il
public beating. But my cry caused
halt, and with Watson beside me
repeated that they had the wrong man
and, still using my highest notes. call
ed for the appointment of a committee
at is curious how easily n mob is
sometimes Swaycd. In less than ten
minutes this one, previously so impas-
stoned, had claimed 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
apprchcnded, Il respectable and worthy
man. and he had letters upon him that
vouchcd for his integrity. lie had
been accused of stealing 5000 in gold
by miner. but we not only established
his innocence, but started an cXamina-
ton that led to the discovery of the
real thief.
'Aftcr this | saw Jack no more till
one day in San Francisco, when
found him in Il most wretchcd condi-
ton. He had gone to Il political meet
ing where he was persona non grata,
and there was immediate trouble. Jack
killed two men, but was himself al
most riddlcd 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 darby.
q got him a room in good hotel
and the best physician money could
hire. The doctor thought he had
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.
"Thc next news of Jack came from
Pasadena. lie had gone to Il ball and,
aspiring to the favor of the belle of
the town. reused the cnmity of n dozen
young gallantS. The shooting began
while the function was still in prog
rcss, but it was bad day for Jack
WatSOn'S ASSISTANTS, for when the fir
ing ceased there were five of them
corpScs, while he escaped unhurt.
"Jack finally became n member of
the Legislature and, strange to say. died
n peaceful death, respected and loved
by all his ncighbOrs. Washington
Post.