The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1900-02-02


Died with uls boots ON. v
one OF the typical tcrrors OF Texas
was Johnnie Potts when his system
was not nlled with the peculiar and
hair-ralsing beverage sold for whisky
In the border towns. Potts was rea-
sonably peaceful. though never socia-
bic In his disposition, but when he
was loaded with what was commonly
termed 'old hells delight" he was one
OF the most dangerous OF his class
II was In the early part OF March.
1854. that ben Franklin and others OF
the cowboys OF the 1T 8" range went
TO Caldwell TO take In the town. All
the riders could not be spared at once,
and for that reason Johnnie Potta ana
others had TO stay at camp, Franklin,
who In cowboy circles was considered
more than ordinary big-hcarted ana
iovial spirit, showed his sympathy for
his unfortunate companions who did
not have the opportunity TO participate
in the pastlmo OF painting the town
red. by bringing back to camp n jug
OF the liquor dealt out at Caldwell
saloons. Tho night at the ranch was
one OF royelry. gambling and drinking.
Potts drank heavily and as the hours
wore on he became more noisy ana
/ quarrolsome. II was nearly morning
when he arose from the camp table.
and. staggering against the deak OF the
hookkcepor OF the cattle company.
upset the ink and dlsarranged the pa
pcrs. The bookkeeper made some
protest which, with Johnnie Potts.was
the signal for trouble. Pulling his six
shooterho proceeded 10 kick over such
furniture as there was about the camp
house as a sort OF preliminary 10 gem
eral hoetllltlea. The other range riders
we're not 30 full Of red liquor that thoy
did not realize that Il was only a
question how many would be able to
get out OF range when Johnnie began
to shoot
Franklin. who was quicker to think
and act than his companions, with
swift movement caught the terror"
from behind and throwing him to the
floor disarmod him. Johnnie rayed like
a mailman ana applied 10 Franklin nil
the epithcts known to tho cowboy YER
nacular until he had worn himself out
and sank into n drunken Blumber. The
next morning Ben Franklin concluded
that as representative OF the great
state OF Texas he should demand an
apology from the terror" for his con-
duct OF the previous night With most
members OF the cowboy class this re-
, quest would have boon complied with
an matter OF course. but Johnnie
n Potts had the opinion that II waa be-
a meath the dignity OF real terror" 70
apologize for anything and would not
IN Ben Franklin. on the other hand. al
"a though an unusually good-nature
=, member OF the fraternity, tult IN,
!. when Texan demanded an apology
~ must come or blood. Tho range ~
i ors stood close together there was Z
n consultation OF seconds" or mensu
r. Ing on 30 many PAGES. There wei
three sharp. loud reports. tho fashs
n ard smoke OF the "forty-foura" an
~ the thing was over. Franklin wa
"a quicker by the fraction OF second
~ and Johnnle's pistol arm was shat
tered before he could pull the trigger
"a The ball from his revolver went will
and the second ball from Ben's gui
plowed through Johnnle's vltals. Thoi
Ia curious thing happened whicl
!, showed the Texas chlvalry OF johnnie
n Potts, tho terror" Franklin. flle,
n with remorse. now that the shooting
"a was over, wanted TO hunt up Unite,
Of States deputy marshal and surrende
Of himself into the hands OF the law. bu
In the terror" though wrlthing in hi
death agony. would not hear OF It
whats the use o. dom that. Benz
gasped the dying terror" Yer go
me. but I'd sure a got you II ia |
drawed a little quicker. 'Twont do mi
Ne no sort o. good fur you TO go ant
stand trial. nur you either. The ter
ar ror" was buried near the lonely CAM
!, house. and the foreman OF the rancl
No took the trouble TO see that the grav'
=, was not entirely neglected. Ben Frank
- lin went back to his home changes
80 man. Instead OF the rolllcking rougl
I, rider he became gloomy. haggard. an
- prematurely old. with the haunte
y look OF man who ever saw the pic
- ture OF a nights debauch, fatal due
~ and the lonesome. unmarked grave O
- Johnnie Potts. the terror"