Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-03-29
He LOVED TO FIGHT.
A LITTLE MAN WHO WOULD RATHER
SHOOT THAN EAT.

odds Didn't Figure with Jack Wat
son When He Concluded to Go Into
a Melee. and His Nerve Once Saved
an Innocent Man.
''The gamest man and the best fight
er that l ever knew-and I've 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 party of
interested listeners.
Watson had been a member of Jack
Hayes famous company, and, though
he didn't weigh over 100 pounds and
in height measured but feet inches,
he would fight at the drop of hat the
biggest man that ever breathed. /
don't know what state gave him birth,
but he was 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 be 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 mans memory.
was riding into a mining camp In Ne
vada county and stopped at watering
trough to let my beast drink. About
the same time a stranger of very
diminutiye stature rode up, and while
our animals refreshed themselves we
engaged In some casual conversation.
The stranger was Watson.
Before we exchanged half a dozen
sentences our attention was attracted
by great noise. and, looking around,
we saw at least 200 men coming our
way with a 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 menY
It seemed bravado. but there was
ring In the small ones voice that
sounded like business, and l, being
young and foolish, answered, 4 dare
'sWe rushed after the mob at racing
speed, and when l got close enough to
the leaders l yelled at the top Of my
lungs: Hold on. boys; you've got the
wrong manY
'sThis was an inspiration, for / 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
repeated that they had the wrong man
and. still using my highest notes, call
ed for the appointment of committee.
'It 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.
t'It 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 miner, but we not only established
his innocence, but started an examina-
ton that led to the discovery of the
real thief
'After this l saw Jack no more till
IN I
found him in most wretched condi-
ton. He had gone to a political meet
ing where he was persona non grata,
and there was immediate trouble. Jack
killed two men, but was himself al
most riddled with bullets. An old ne
gro took me to him, and found him
in an appaRhtly dying condition If
he had one bullet hole in him, he had
90. He had no doctor, no nurse, no
food, no friend but the old darky.
81 got him a room in a 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 few weeks he
was going around as game as ever.
'sThe 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 bad day for Jack
Watson's assailants, for when the fir
ing ceased there were five of them
corpses, while he 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. Washington
pncH