The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1900-04-14

@NNNSN ~ III III vi
Tom Smith, of cowboy days fame. He
was the bravest marshal the western
plains ever knew. In the later COS
Abilene was at the end of the Union
cattle rains hat led up from the
Pacific track, and also the end of the
ranches of Texas. This made it a
center for the rough element engaged
IN the cattle business. The bottoms
were covered with saloons and dance
halls; murders were common and
cowboys riding up and down
the streets shooting their revolvers in
to the windows terrorized the peace
able portion of the community.
Joe Mccoy, the mayor, sent to st.
Louis and asked the chief of police for
two of his best policemen. The officers
came and were invested with all DOW
ers for the enforcement Of the law. In
the full glory of their blue uniforms.
they walked through the bad portion
of the town. The farther they went
the more frightened they became. On
the night train they returned to st.
Louis, and the town was worse than
ever. 1t was in the midst of this
reign of terror that Tom Smith was
sent FOR. He had made a reputation
as marshal at Hays City, Kit Carson,
Fort Wallace and other notorious
points, whittier he had gone from New
York, where he had been a policeman
during the civil war. Smith was asked
by the mayor to control the rough ele-
ment of Abilene single-handed. He
looked he town over and said he
would accept the job. He was asked
he had none except that he thought he
would stop the practice of carrying
firearms.
"Yon SAINT do that, declared the
mayor.
But it is against the ordinance"
Eyes, of course it is
Then will stop their carrying fire.
arms" said Smith, quietly. You see,
we could stand guns or whisky, but
we can't stand both. There amt no
chance to stop the whisky, and we
might as well stop the guns"
That night new copies of the anti
gun ordinance were posted around the
town, and the next morning Smith
took the oath of office. Long before
he appeared on the streets the gang
were ready for business, and many had
boosted that the man did not live who
could make them give up their guns.
Smith was about five feet eleven inches
high, deep-chested and with sinews of
steel. He ate a hearty breakfast and
strolled down the street.
The first person he met was Hank
Hawkins, a huge cattle puncher from
southern Texas.
80 you're the man who has come
to run the town."
NO" replied Smith, but | have
been hired to keep order, aud | am
going to try to do the best | can"
Hawkins was openly wearing two
big %navies, and, pointing to them, he
asked: What are you gOin' to do about
these?"
THAT is one of the laws, and | will
have to trouble you for the guns right
now
L NOu l give lutll uD 10 any 1--WE
man"
Il amt lookin' for trouble" said tb g
marshal, his steel-gray eyes flashing,
but you will obey the ordinance"
Like a shot he leaped forward and
landed a terrific blow on the forehead
of the big Hawkins, who promptly
measured his length on the sidewalk.
+. A., +,-;n1.1;,r 90 -, ,., C,z.:4l --
on top of him with the guns in his
hands.
Il will give you ten seconds to start
for the city limits" was the ruling.
After a glance at the determined face
of the marshal the cowboy lit out for
the high grass. Smith leisurely peck
eted the guns and sauntered down
the street as if he had nothing to do.
All the other outlaws quit in much the
same haste.
"Wyoming Frank" was another OF
the towns terrors. He boasted that he
would make the marshal take water,
and hat night he and a lot of cronies
gathered around a saloon, and when
they were we'll drunk waited for the
tollllLlS VI III ~ ittS liz NllilS ~
the street. They were in front of the
Texas saloon when they met and
Frank stepped in front of Smith with
the remark: Il hear you knocked a
man down for carrying a gun today"
AT the same time he turned back his
coat and showed a huge A revolver.
Come and get it," and Frank stepped
hack Ura pl fnfn thA Ca1nnn whprn n
crowd was watching the fun.
Smiths right foot shot out and took
the gambler under the jaw, partly
turning him around in time to receive
another under the ear, which laid him
on the floor amid the deathly stiffness
and awed to go to the assistance Of
their friend. The marshal seized the
mans gun and pounded him over the
head and seat of his pants. Then as
Frank struggled to his feet he kicked
him toward the rear door amid the
jeers of the others. Frank sneaked
out into the darkness and disappeared.
He may have gone to join Hawkins,
for neither has been seen in the city
since.
Smith made a little speech: II am
going to have order in this town, and
l want every mar to obey. If he don't
obey, | will make him. | shall treat
every II fairly. You must all give up
your guns, and they will be taken 20
the Mayors office, where you can find
them when you want to leave town"