The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-08
A GAME FIGHTER.
Jack Watson's Lightness and Free
dom With a Pistol.

F.
1.-The gamest man and the best fighter
that I ever knew-and I've known quite
number in my day-was little Jack
Watson, Of California, remarked Sena-
tor William M. Stewart, of Nevada, to
party of interested listeners.
watson had been a member CT Jack
Hayes famous company, and though he
didn't weigh over 120 pounds and IN
height measured but feet 6 inches, he
would fight at the drop of hat the big
gest Aman 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 well.
The little chap didn't provoke difficulties,
but I verify believe he enjoyed fighting
for its own sake. and odds dian figure
with him once he concluded to 80 into
melee His long suit WIS shooting.
and deadiler shot never fingered Il re-
volver.
'.I shall never forget the first time that
Jack Watson and I met, for the nircuin-
stances were of the sort that burns Itself
upon a mans memory. ! was riding into
a mining camp in Nevada county, and
stopped at a watering trough to let
my beast drink About the same time
a stranger of very diminutive stature rode
up, and while our animals refreshed
themselves we engaged in some casual
conversation. The stranger was Wat
son. Before we exchanged half dozen
sentences our attention was attracted by
q great noise, and looking around we
saw at least 200 men coming our way with
prisoner. The prisoner was a remark
ably fne-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 mp: 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 I, being young and foolish,
answered, 7 dare
I'VE rushed after the mob at racing
speed, and when got close enough to the
leaders I yelled at the top of my lungs:
Hold on, boys; you've got the wrong
mani This was an inspiration, for really
knew nothing of the case. but I hated to
see such Notwithstanding fellow un-
dergo the humiliation of a public beating.
But my cry caused a halt, and with wat
son beside me repeated that they had
the wrong man. and still using my highest
notes called for the appointment OF a
COMMITTEES. II is curious how easily a
mob is sometimes Swayed. In less than ten
minutes this ole, previously so impa Dron-
ed, & had Gained down and was IN hsng
quietly 10 the Investigations Of ths COM
|. rntttee of which I had been made chair
man. 1t seems that the prisoner was, as
I apprehended, a respectable and worthy
man, and he had letters upon him that
vouched for his integrity. He had been
accused of stealing $500 In gold BY,
miner, but u e not only established his m
nocence, but Started an exaaninat alton that
led to the discovery of the real thief
- After this L saw Jack no more tni
one day in San Francisce~>w when y found
him In a most 5wretched Condition. he
had gone to a political meeting where
he was persona non grata and there was
but was himself almost rlddled with bul-t
lets. An old negro took me to him, and
7 found him in an apparently dying con-
dition. II he had one bullet-ho!e In him
he had twenty He had no doctor, no
nurse, no food. no friend but the old
darky.ssI got him a room in a good hotel
hire. The doctor thought he had. "a bare