The St. Louis Republic., 1900-12-30
owed the bank some money and they want

owed the bank some money. and they want
ed to get it.
with his partner. Then he determined TO
make settlement He proposed that he
and his partner make a big deal on IA GER
tain batch of cattle near Wichita. The
partner agreed: and the bank was to honor
the drafts for the cattle. Shank was to
do the buying. and his partner was t1
gather the necessary number of men and
horses to handle the stock and get them to
market.
Shank went to Wichita and let the
owner of the cattle, who was an o.dtime
friend. into the secret. He was not to buy
che cattle. but he was to make drafts on
the bank for the sums up to the total of
his individual credit at the bank. The
friend agreed. and shank began to make
drafts in his friends favor. Each of them
was paid and Shark got the money.
About the time that the total Of the
drafts reached sll5.0oo Shank's' partner ar
rived at Wichita with the necessary men
and horses. shank greeted him cordially;
told him what bargains he had secured
and how much money they would make on
the deals 1t was about time for a train to
come along. en- route to Texas; and shank.
casually. suggested that he and his partner
walk to the station. They stood talking
cordially while the train stopped, and We're
still talking when it started out. Shank
had got close TO the track. and as the lat
Pullman came alongside swung aboard II.
Then, standing with his broad back against
the door OF the coach. he waved his hand
and shouted. In q voice that roared above
the rattle of the train:
-" 'Goodby. jim. Farewell. Jim. Gone to
"Thats r how cs shank s "qt' ieft Kansas ans He
often told me the story, and estimated that
his four years Of experience was worth
S,N0.000 to him.
"One story that Shank told me of his
early life in the Southwest has not. SO far
as know. been told TO anybody else in ST.
Louis. except his agents, When he was
about IS years old he went into Mexico on
cattle-buying trip. negro accom-
panied him. One day. while they were far
from any sort of civilization. he was strick-
en- with fever. and soon became dangerously
III. The negro riggsd up tent and fed
him as best he could for "a week. Then it
was necessary for him to leave. to save his
own life. and. If possible. that Of Shank
He left some food within reach of the sick
man and started home
'Shalk's' fever grew worse. and he be-
came absolutely helpless. He was weak
that he could not even drive the flies from
his mouth and eyes. The torture he suf-
Of red ants found their way TO him. and be-
gan to eat his flesh away. bit by bit. He
could not defend himself by even so much
a a wave Of his hand. And he must neces-
saril- have been devoured by the insects
had he not been found by party Of trav-
elers. They cared for him until the negro
returned with help.
the Civil War; when he was supplying
beef for the Texas army. He described the
retreats with a particular gusto But one
story he told me seems to be more charac-
teristic of both the times and the man
than any Of the others.
While his division was near the Lousi-
ana line, Shank heard of a sugar planter
who had formerly been very rich. but who
then needed money and was willing to pay
almost any rate of interest. Shank made
inquiries aud found that the man was hon
est. shank had about $1,000 with him. and
determined he would lend that sum to the
planter
Accordingly one evening. dressed in his
rough cattle-driver's clothes he tramped to
the planters home. The old man and his
two daughters were In the parlor, the man
playing and singing soldier songs. Shank
knocked al the door. One Of the girls came
to admit him. He looked like a tramp and
he felt like one. But the young woman in
vited him into the parlor. and he was
treated with Texas hospitality.
After n bit, shank got down to busi-
ness. L understand that you are In need
he said. The planter admitted that he did.
L can lend you $1,000 said Shank The
farmer was incredulous. shank did not
look like a money-lender. shank saw the
look Of doubt and drew the money from
his pockets. 1t was all in gold.
We'll. the farmer borrowed the money
and gave his notes for II. payable In two
years. The war ended the planters sons
returned from the army. there was pay
ing market for sugar. and the notes were
paid, together with interest, which brought
the amount up to almost twice the sum
loaned
The last time saw shank Was in