The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-02-28
SAILORS AND KNIVES.
Norwegians Said 20 BE Most Addicted 10
the Use of Cold steel.


the Use of Cold steel.
81 wonder why it is said cotton
sampler who prides himself on his
close observation, "that the Italians
have acquired such n sinister reputa-
tion as knife fighters. The facts don't
bear 1t out. have been knocking
around the wharvcs for n good many
years and have seen plenty of fighting
among sailors, roustabouts and desper-
ate men Of all kinds. colors and nation
alities, and never but once did l see
an Italian use knife. Even then the
weapon was thrust into his hands by
companion. after he had started
bllthely into the melee with n stick.
"As far as my observation goes, the
people most addicted to cold steel in
the settlement of their little differences
are Norwegian sailors. The most for
midable knife wielder ever met in
my life belonged TO that class He
was big. yellow-haired. rather mel.
ancholy looking chap. who came here
on Liverpool tramp and invested
some small savings In n lodging house
not far from the old fruit wharves. l
got acquainted with him soon after he
set up in business and took quite
fancy to the fellow. Like many sea.
farlng men of his nationality, he was
passionately fond of music, and
strange to say, he had heard nearly all
the great singers and was familiar
with most of the famous operas, al.
though he was otherwise uneducated
and could barely read and write.
sized him up as Il gentle, simple-mind-
ed giant. and laborcd under that delu.
sion until 1t was rudely dispelled by n
tragic episode of which | chanced To
be an eye witness. Three drunken sea
men dropped into his place one even
ing with the avowed intention of rails.
ing n row, and one of them set the
ball rolling by kicking over the stove.
Instantly my Norwegian friend leaped
over little counter, mt the same time
drawing an eight-inch dirk from
somewhere in the back Of his neck,
and went TO work on the trio. The
fracas occupied possibly half min.
ute, at the end of which time the
sailors had disappeared and every.
thing in the room was more or less
spattered with gore. l never learned
how badly they We're hurt, but there
certainly was some promiscuous cary
ing while the row lasted. Later on.
the lodging house keeper showed me
how he carried his knife. He kept 1t
in sheath sewed to the inner side of
his vest, just under the collar. 1t
seemed an outlandish place for
weapon. but he could draw it like
lightning and, as he remarked, 1t was
apt to be overlooked in search He
also gave an exhibition ut dirk throw.
ing. at which some sailors become as.
tonishingly proficient. He would hold
the blade open on his right palm. the
point to the left, and launch it through
the air with sudden. indescribable
swoop. At dozen feet away he could
strike n circle six inches i'll diameter
with unfaillng accuracy, but with all
its dexterlty there was something so
barbarously uncouth about the per-
formance that it made my blood run
cold to watch him. He got INTO several
kni.a fights afterward. and his fond
ness for that diversion eventually led
to his departure between suns. If he
were still here think would select
some other illustration for my re-
marks. New Orleans Times-Dcmo-
crat.