Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-30
@syH Son Of the Border.*ss &
BY E. g. LITTLE.

Elguts reserVtu. htpfinteu Ny spccioi p0'
mission to the REFLECTOR.
Forty Years ago, in December, te
men on bay horses galloped acros
the dry bed OF Rock Creek, skirted
little clump Of coltonwoods, and dre'
rein before the bars OF the Overland
Stage company's horse corral on tn
California trail a few miles north o
Manhattan. Bill McKandlas, jump
ing from bis horse, put his hand OF
the top bar. A tall, slender young
man stepped to the door OF the dug
out a few yards away with a gun il
his hand, ana eyed the McKandla'
gang with dark disfavor. He called
out with some emphasis that hi
would shoot the first man who tool
down a bar, and made some com
ments on their parentage. A few
hours before they had gone by his
quarters Jerking an old preacher at
the end Of lariat. As they passed
they announced that they would
come back for the stage horses in the
corral at three O'Clock in the after
noon. The young man with the gun
had replied that be would be there
when they came back. He was paid
to feed, harness, and protect the
company's property, and intended to
earn his money. The ten visiting
gentlemen tied their horses to the
corral, and turned to the more cheer
full duty Of exterminating the i'm
prudent and forward young watch
man. He retired into his dug-out
domicile, barred the door, and stood
waiting with rifle in his hand.
Even then be had the habit Of not
shooting until the occasion really de-
manded it. The highwaymen hunt
ed up log from among the cotton
woods, and with praiseworthy in.
dustry proceeded to batter down the
door.
Jim McKandlas, with revolver, q
bowie.knife, a whoop, and a yell
leaped across the threshold and into
eternity. As the Others rushed
through the door the man inside fired
three shots, with that accuracy Of
aim for which be was so much ad-
mired in the years that we're to come.
The six somewhat startled horse
thieves who remained alive swarmed
across the dug.out floor, and piled
upon the young station keeper with
revolvers and bowie knives. One
beat him over the head with a gun,
and Bill McKandlas struck with a
bowie-kniie, only to bury it in the
table, and with a bullet in his heart,
to suddenly terminate career which
had furnished an infinite variety OF
interest for the sheriffs and vigilants
Of several counties. The rusty stove
fell from its insecure foundation
across the surging combatants, mixed
in inextricable and sanguinary con.
fusion. Outside horse broke his
hitching strap and galloped away.
The little table broke down beneath
the weight Of a thousand pounds Of
shooting, stabbing, swearing frontiers
men. The latest bandit rolled to-
ward the door, and catching glimpse
Of the brown prairies ioutside, which
looked good to him, suddenly reached
the conclusion that be did not really
need any stage company horses in his
business and bolted.
By this time the affair had ceased
to have for the other tour horse fan.
ciers that enticing interest which had
drawn them into it. As he after
wards expressed it, the young man in
charge OF the stage station had "gone
Wild" Covered with wounds and
freckled with bullet h lies he had lost
every thought and instinct except the
lust.of death and victory. As they
fought he struck the sixth man in the
throat with the bowie, AID the man
fell across the little pile Of blankets.
The three who we're now on their feet
retreated through the door and to-
ward their horses, their host stagger.
ing after them with the CLEAN Of bat
tie still in his blue eye. That morn.
ing his associate in the company's
service had gone hunting, TO return
on the run barely in time to witness
the close Of the tragedy. Doc Mills,
the associate, bad lost golden oppor-
tunity. While he was out shooting
quail, Fame had knocked at the dug
o,,t 1oor hoodoJ N 1ouro1 ~ Too,as