Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-06-06
Copyright by Doubleday, Page & Co. Az
rights reserved Reprinted by special per-
mission to the REFLECTOR.
CONCLUDED.

ICONVLObED'J
In September, 1871, the good PEG
pie Of Dickinson county had reached
the definite conclusion that theirs wa
a farming country and proceeded tt
emphasize this opinion by giving al
old fashioned country fair at Abilene
Six hundred thousand longhornl
came up from Texas that year, bu'
their owners took the hint and under
stood that there would be no room I'll
their stock on the prairies OF thai
county next season. They had sold
their cattle and were ready to depart
Abilene was TO be their stamping
ground no more. 1t was in order ia
celebrate the occasion in the old-time
way, and it was generelly understood
that the ceremonies of the evening
were to be concluded by killing Wild
Bill, and, meiaphorically, taking bis
scalp back to Texas. | have been
told that few Of them drew lots as
to which should have that dangerous
honor, and that Philip Coe got the
short straw. Six feet and some
inches high, extensive of girth' COM
manding in appearance, Coe was a
gambler by profession, and a rough,
overbearing jollier by habit. In the
back room Of the Bulls Head he had
opened faro bank, which by instruc-
ton Of the city fathers Hickok had
compelled him to bring out in the
front room, to avoid the drugging and
robbing Of innocsnts. With square
game and an even run for their money
the cowboys broke the bank, and Coe
had grievance. Possibly there was
certain amount Of antagonism be-
tween the ex.Coniederates and a FORM
er Union soldier like Hickok, but ev-
cry "bad man"in the region cherished
the ambition to be able to say that he
had killed Wild Bill
1t was a beautiful autumn day. and
the county fair was a great success
No disturbance OF moment occurred,
but the Texas men decided to furnish
fireworks for the evening. Though
not invited, they we're expected Two
small boys coming home from the
fair met Policeman jim Gainsford
with q sawed.off .double-barrel shot
gun under his arm. As they passed
the Alamo, Policeman Mike Williams
was chatting pleasantly with the
pretty girl who sold fruit at the stand
tucked in the little corner next that
institution on the north. To the
south the Red Front was filled with
country customers. A young farmer
watered his horse at the well-curb
lust in front Of the saloon, the only
present relic Of that famous fight. A
wooden awning covered the broad
wooden sidewalk. The Alamo had a
front Of fifty or sixty feet, all DOORS
and the doors we're mostly glass and
always open. The handsome bar and
mirror were on the south side, and
the music platform in the southeast
corner. The rest Of the floor space
was taken up with little round gam
ing tables, where sporting men waited
for the unwary cowboy. An ordinary
door opened into the vacant space at
the rear, and path behind the Elk
horn, the Pearl, and several little
restaurants led to the side entrance OF
the Novelty Concert and Dance Hall
a few rods of. One small boy whis'
pered, "There'll be fight tonight. -"
Two hours later their father blew out
the lights and seat the family to bed,
not caring to furnish a target for am
bilious marksmen.
As the sun went down Pat McGon-
igal and bis brother tied their bron
chos in front OF the Drover's Cottage,
strolled down Texas street, and met
their friends, and the fun began. A
dozen cowmen picked up Jake Kara
tosky, the. little Jew merchant car
ried him down to the Applejack and
had him "set up the drinks" This
was an improvement on the year De-
fore, when they lassOed bis chief
clerk and carried him off for fun. A
score Of more or less prominent citi-
zens and cattlemen were used in the
same manner and in quick succession.
II they did not enjoy it, they pretend
ed to. The crowd increased, and the
liquor and excitement spread. The
cowboys we're giving Abilene her last
Roman holiday. The crack OF an oc'