Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-08


tat, but when his go pounds whirls easily
over in handspring the observer realizes
that muscle and not meat Is his main
component even if he deals largely in the
latter as a trader. When he was recently
in New England the Harvard athletic di-
rectors took his measurements and tested
ms strength and were astonished at the
results well as at his marvellous agility.
In sparring and wrestling he showed him
self no amateur, and when he easily jump
ed over the gymnasium horse and turned
back somersaults as well as handsprings
they were amazed.
His career has been as crowded with
events as his frame is with strength.
In the west he Is respected as square
man. His creed is to be square" with
square" people.
i m with the gamblers and the sports"
said Plunkett to Star reporter, who met
MIN yesterday for the first time since 1891
when Dick was marshal of Creole, Col.
when they are straight goods cams and
sports but I'm against crooked work by
anybody anywhere. I've had a great time
In the east. The boys in New York gave
me royal welcome. Cody, Jimmy Wake
ley, John Burke and a whole lot of 'em
were there, and they couldn't do too much
for me. When l was in Boston l took break
fast with Admiral Sampson, and at Har-
ward they measured me to beat the band
Opening of the Comanche Country.
az have been east on business connected
with some mining property I've got in
SICtNe, anu am mere lIUW iOOhllS lHlO inc
coming opening of what we call the Co.
manche country out in Oklahoma. There
are $4,000 quarter sections in the tract,
which Is south of the Canadian and north
of the Washita rivers, and l tell you it's
beautiful country. | understand that the
government authorities are talking about
having the land allotted by drawing, so
that girls and widows and old women, even,
who are equal to carrying farm will
have equal chance with men. Everybody
out our way expects the land will be OPEN
ed up in August. If they only follow out
the plan to divide 1t by drawing it would
be great thing. All contests over claims
would be prevented and millions of dollars
that might be spent in law suits saved. We
don't want any more 'rustling out west.
Too much trouble and expense follows that
kind of land opening. I've seen Secretary
Hitchcock, and l know he wants to do
what's right, and that is to try to let every
body that Is eligible get farm. The coun-
try is fine, well watered and will make
three town sites. In the Washita noun
tains, which will be in the new country,
are vast lots of minerals. For eight or ten
years prospectors have been going up there,
only to be driven out by the government,
but they have kept on going, and know
where the deposits are. 1 understand par
ties in the east are being made up to get
there soon as the opening mp is fixed"
Remarkable Record.
SO spoke the man who has the remarkable
some of the toughest towns in America;
who has arrested scores of desperate crimi-
nails, and who has gone up against gun
plays time and again with only his bare
hands and yet has never found it neces-
sary to Kill a human being. He never Gwore
or used tobacco in his life and was rever
known to be angry. Laughing Dick" as
he was Familiarity called, was always grim
ming even when battling for his life. But
he has been shot up extensively himself.
His face and head bear indelible scars of
quickly sped bullets, and there is quite an
accumulation of the same lead In other
parts of his body.
But bless your SOUL" he says, with lis
Irish animation, they don't bother Bit
Plunkett was born in County Down, Ire
land, and had ten brothers, all big and ath-
letic, In his early days he was cattle
dealer in England, but came to this country
to join brother who was sheep-raising in
southern Colorado. few weeks Of ranch
life were enough for Dick. He wanted ex-
element, and got it. His athletic prowess
had quickly gained notice and admiration
in his new surroundings. and when the
tough element began to get the upper hand
in the town of Montezuma he was made
town marshal. His best friends We're some
what sorry when they saw Marshal Punk
EFT, instead of being belted down with
being fixed for pulling triggers, went
around armed only with a cane. But when
with his bare hands he arrested one after
another of the worst men in the outfit. oc-
casionally getting shot himself, their doubts
changed to confidence. After being shot
two or three times, Plunkett concluded to
carry a gun. He made himself SO expert
with 1t that he could hit four-bit piece
half a dollar-eight times out of ten at
twelve steps SO he satisfied himself with
shooting dangerous customers in the leg
or arm.
His Arrest of Texas Sam.
Texas Sam was terror sure enough in
Mallequina and a giant as well. One Sun
day Sam and his gang shot up the town,
drove a congregation out of church. hurt a
few citizens seriously and then gaIloped
out to a nearby rancho. They were there
drinking when Dick Plunkett rode out He
was then sheriff. SAM revolver in hand,
came out to meet him and yelled Hello!
Dick I'm looking for YOU"
And I'm looking for you,' replied Dick
with his customary grin. Throw down
your gun and let's fight 1t out like men. If
you best me, you go free. If 1 best you,
I'll take you In.
Texas Sam, six feet four inches and pow
erfully built thought he had an easy thing
and accepted the challenge. In five min
utes he was whipped and handcuffed He
was tried and got four years
Shortly afterward Dick was made a
pursued Billy the Kid and his band of
horse thieves and had some thrilling ex-
peI1enceS
His Career in Creole.
When Jimtown, Col, was metamorphosed
into Creole and populous little city by
the discovery Of the Holy Moses mine
Plunkett went there. The writer met him
in the winter Of 90 and 81 in that lively
camp Cy Warman was there, running a
newspaper, and Bat Masterson. "Soapv''
Smith, Frank Marshall and John P. Glow
whom Marshall afterward killed In Den
yer. and the whole picturesque group of
Colorado sports were clustered in that
town. Bob Ford. the slayer of Jesse James.
the stage and train robber was proprietor
of a questionable house there. There was
contest for town marshal which re-
suited in Plunkett being elected over Mas
terson. Just afterward Ed Kelly killed
Ford shooting him down without warning.
Plunkett followed Kelly, overpowered him
and tied him up, guns and all. He was
sentenced to Imprisonment for life,
Cy Warman described Creole at this
period most strikingly in verse beginning
It's day all day in daytime,
And there Is no night in Creede."
But Plunkett made the days less danger
GUS and the nights less tragic. Everybody
knew he was not q man to be trifled with