The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-23
Hank Adams Reform Party.


There was no doubt that the politics
Of Val Verde county needed reforming,
The trouble lay with the Mexican vote.
Lying as 1t did just across the river
! from Mexico, the country was flooded
! with imported citizens with patriotism
/ 10 sell This condition offered an inyit-
/ ing field for the operation OF practical
! politicians of crude, ungioved variety.
/ The whole county administration had
/ fallen into the hands of a gang, a des-
I perate gang. little better than outlaws
! and desDeradoes The leader Of them
was the sheriff, Badly WORKMAN.
Matters had become so intoIeraoly bad
that at last a reform movement mad
been started The honest and respectful e
/ people Of the county mad or anized n m
/ selves into a league, and had made bold
to put out a ticket against Workman
I and his gang. Even Saloonkeeper Hank
Adams had esDoused the cause OF re-
form. But there was little probability
, Of the success of the movement. There
were two Mexicans to every white man
in the county; and these, either by in
timidation or bribery, the administration
could control
Ten days before the election the re-
form leaders. at the call Of their Presi-
dent. DR.. Sam Allen. met IN the rear
Of Hank Adams saloon to discuss the
situation.
TT locks like we're beat already
men" said Allen. '1Nothin short OF a
miracle can put US through now, unless
we're willin to turn out and run every
Mexican out of the county.
The amt hardly time fer that now,
even If the wuz enough of US to do
it, said Thompson, the reform candi-
date for sheriff But we got to DO
sumpin. Kirk come up from the lower
c.ossin' yistiday. an says they're bring
in EN- over there every day by The
dozens, an registerin' EN- to vote.
We've got TO do sump'n, an that
mighty quick, or we ies' as well pull
out an let EN- have it.
Hank Adams. generally known as
''W Risky Hank" listened in silence to
the observations and suggestions Of the
other men.
I have a proposition to make, men,
said he, when the others had expresse d
their opinions I think it will put the
reform ticket through, and / don't be-
lfeve anything else will.
1T is this I have 20 propose" he said
at length, speaking every word deiibeT-
ately. I will shoot every man that runs
against the reform ticket"
The reform people looked at him for d
moment with open-mouthed surprise.
After making his unusual proposition
Hank lapsed into his habitual silence.
He refused to discuss the matter further,
but would only reiterate his determine
ton to kill every man that stood against
the reform ticket. So the men sepa-
rated.
They specuIated a good deal as to
Hanks motive. They had known that
he was with them, but had not suspect
ed that he cared enough for the reform
to undertake q desperate thing like that
In the afternoon of that day notice
was posted over Hanks signature at the
court house and at the postoffice It
read: LAS soon as convenient after the
election to take place on Tuesday, No
vember g, I will shoot every man who
has stood as a candidate against the re
form ticket"
This announcement created great ex-
element in the town. Men suspended
their business 20 discuss Hanks threat,
and to conjecture what effect it would
have on the approaching contest.
Workman and his friends laughed at the
notice
That night all who entered Hank Adj
ans place saw written in bold charac-
ters upon the little blackboard where ac-
counts were usually kept this ominous
legend Ten days" The next morn
ing Mexican Pete was missing; some
body said he had gone across the river
to see his brother who was dangerously
sick.
When "Baldy' Workman, Dave Ford,
and ''Puncher" Brown entered the sa-
loon that night and read the inscription,
mine days" they laughed loudly; then
they called for drinks But notwith-
standing their assurance they were not
pushing their campaign with their
former zest.
AS the days passed a feeling of IN
easiness became evident among the sup
porters of Workman. The people were
them with intense interez t,
who would be the next one
to draw out When the relentless black
board had counted off four more days
'Puncher" Brown. candidate for county
judge, came out with card announcing
his withdrawal from the race; on ac-
count of failing health he felt himself
unable longer to assume the responsible
tiles of the Office.
The blackboard continued to count off
the days until only two were left. Then,
when all the loafers had gone home.
Hank had a conference with Dave Ford
In the rear room Of the saloon. The next
day Dave. ION the advice Of friends"
withdrew in favor Of the reform cand-
date
This left "Baldy" to fight it out alone
There was much conjecture as to what
he would do; the general opinion was
thta Baby was game, and that Hank /
would have to make good his bluff. But /
the success of the reform ticket was al /
ready assured
The knowing ones thought they saw a I
marked change in Whisky" Hank from /
the time Dave Ford withdrew and left /
the fight to Workman. The pale. bag
gard look Of his face gave place to one +
Of feverish eagerness.
The day of the election came, and stiu /
Workman had not Withdrawn. The sa- I
loon was closed but upon the outside /
stood the blackboard with the oracular I
inscription, THE Last Day" Workman .
was not seen around the polls often .
while the voting was in progress. It (
was evident that he had given up all (
hope of being reelected. but there was
no sign to indicate that ne had with (
drawn from the race.
Whether It was mere bravado or a be-
lief that his defeat had relieved him
from the consequences Of Hanks threat +
Baby went that night to the saloon.
A crowd of men were present. greatly
excited and betting upon the result az /
the encounter which they saw was immi-
lent The former sheriff elbowed HIS
way up to the bar and called for whisky
As Hank took down a bottle and two
glasses he made q sign to the men who
we're crowding around and they began
10 20 outside When they were ali gone
Hank motoned 70 "BaIfv"
This way. Mr. WORKMAN. said he
sline the bottle and the glasses and
eadiug the way to the hack room
workman followed. first feeling t. see
hat his gun was ready The men upon
he outside waited and listened eagerly.
Five minutes passed ana still no sound
sarae from inside Five minutes nore
PASSED. and the listeners were becoming
80 excited they coui5 hardly restrain
themselves from rushing .nside Then
- - 1915 u , cn--r- n L -