The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-09-07
HE SHAVED GENERAL MILES.
1T Was BilI's First Appearance In
the Role of Barber.

1t Was BtIPs First Appearance In
the Role of Barber.
During the autumn Of 1896 Major
General Miles and a party of Washington
friends arranged for bear hunt in the
mountains of New Mexico They arriv-
ed at Magdalena in a special car and
were met at the station by Captain Slo-
cum with Troop p Of the Seventh Unit
ed States cavalry, detailed to act as es-
cort to the party. Proceeding at once to
the Hoffman ranch, about 80 miles west
ward, they pitched camp and next day
started in to hunt bears.
Shortly after they left Magdalena a
ranchman rode into town with the star
Ting intelligence that he had met Bill
Parks, an old resident, out on the noun
tains. Bill told him that he had shot
and killed a prominent citizen of Mag
dalena and was trying<to elude a posse
sent in pursuit of him; also that the
town had been visited by a lot Of little
men who overturned all the buildings. AS
the man reported killed was alive and the
buildings were still on solid foundations,
the conclusion reached was that Bill had
gone "locoed." A party of friends was
soon organized and on Bill's trail On
the second days hunt his hiding place
was discovered. lie protested against
returning to Magdalena, fearing a lynch
ing, as the man he imagined he had kill
ed was very popular. However, after
a long parley and with the assurance
that he would be protected, he consented
to return.
The posse and Bill reached Magdalena
four days prior to the return of the bear
hunters Bill was confined in a room for
two days, and, having greatly improved,
was then liberated. The day following
his release Bill walked into the Eclipse
saloon, and in a corner saw an old, un-
used barber chair Remarking that he
knew a thing or two about "barbering,"
he begged the proprietor to give him the
chair and allow him to begin business as
a barber. The saloon keeper, wishing to
humor him and feeling satisfied that no
one would risk his neck in Bills care,
gave his consent. Bill fixed up the old
chair, sharpened a few rusty razors, Sc
cured a towel or two and was ready for
the rush to begin. The rush came not,
but Bill kept on waiting and was pres
emily rewarded.
General Miles and his party returned
from what had been a successful bear
hunt and took up their quarters in the
special car. The general, being very
much in need of a shave, inquired of
l0iterer if there was a barber shop in
town. The loiterer. who was a wag,
pointed out Bill's place, whereupon the
general remarked that he would go there
in a few minutes The news spread
quickly over town that Bill was going to
shave the famous General Miles. Bill
selected his razor, got out a clean towel
and awaited the arrival. 1t was evident
to onlookers that he was growing nerv-
ous When the general arrived at the sa-
loon, standing room was at a premium.
With some difficulty he managed to reach
the chair, where Bill received him with a
courtly bow. When the operation began,
there was a full house. Those not close
enough to see the performance were re-
warded by hearing the scrape, scrape Of
the dull razor as it was drawn across the
victims face. General Miles took bis
medicine without a murmur and bravely
closed his eyes. This encouraged Bill,
who thought the razor was working so
smoothly that his customer had gone to
sleep. He regained his nerve and at the
end Of ten minutes the ordeal was at an
end. The general, looking much relieved,
handed Bill quarter and departed.
Bills face beamed with pride while con-
gratulations poured in from all sides
The next morning Bill put up this sign
over his mirror. General shaving %
cents" Bills fame soon spread through
chair was besieged by customers who
wanted to be shaved by the man who
shaved General AIiles.-New York Sun.