Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1900-08-16
HE LOVED TO FIGHT.
A LITTLE MAN WHO WOULD RATHER
SHOOT THAN EAT.

Odds Didn't Figure With Jack Wat
son When lie Concluded 10 Go into
Melee, and Ills Nerve Once saved
an Innocent Man.
"Thc gamcst man and the best fight
er that | 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 n party Of
Interested listeners.
"Watson had been n member of Jack
Hayes famous company, and, though
he didn't weigh over 100 pounds and
In height measured but . feet q inches.
he would fight at the drop of Il hat the
biggest man that ever breathed.
don't know what state gave him birth,
but he was Il native of the south. and
all the pioneers of Texas knew him
we'll
"The little chap didn't provoke diff
cnlties. but | verify believe he enjoyed
fighting for It's own sake, and odds
didn't figure with him once he con
clnded TO go into a melee. His long
suit was shoatlng, and a deadlier shot
never fingered revolver
Il shall never forget the first time
that Jack Watson aud met, for the
circumstance was of the sort that
burns itself upon mans memory.
WIS riding into mining camp in Ne
yada county and stopped ut watering
trough 10 let my beast drink. About
the same time a stranger OF very
diminutiNe stature rode up. and while
our animals refreshed themselves we
engaged In sdine casual conversation
The stranger WAS Watson.
Before we exchanged half dozen
sentences our attention WAS attracted
by great noise and. looking around
we saw at least BOO men coming ouf
way with a prisoner. The prisoner
was remarkably fine looking man.
but his cnptors had stripped him To the
waist. and HE 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 mem
1t seemed brayado. but there was n
ring In the small ones voice thai
sounded like business, and |, being
young and foolish, answered, 4 dare
I'VE rushed after the mob at racing
speed, and when | got close enough 10
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 ease, bnt /
hated TO see such magnificent looking
fellow undergo the humiliation Of n
public beating. But my cry caused
n 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.
1T Is curious how easily IA 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.
ut seems that the prisoner was, as
apprehended, a respectable and worthy
man. and he had letters upon him that
youched 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
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 wretehed condi
tion. He had gone to n political meet
Ing where he was persona non grata.
and there was immediate trouble lack
Killed two men, but was himself at
most riddled with bullets. An old ne
gro took me to him. and | found him
In an apparently dying condition. II
he had one bullet hole in him. lie had
20. He had no doctor, no nurse, no
food, no friend but the old darky.
II got him a room in good hotel
and the best physician money could
hire. The doctor thought he had tt
bare chance to live, but was very du
bious of his pulling through. His nerve
saved him, and in few weeks h
WAS going around as game as ever.
"The next news OF Jack came from
Pasadena. lie had gone 10 n ball and
aspiring to the favor OF the belle of
the town, reused the enmlty of Il dozen
young galants. The shooting began
While the function was still in prog
ress, but II was II bad day for lack
Watson's assalanls. for when the fir
Ing ceased there We're five OF them
corpses. while he escaped nnhurt.
Jack finally becalne member Of
the legislature and. strange 10 say. died
II peaceful death. respected and loved
by all his neighbors. Washington
Poet
The Highest Court.