The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1902-01-09

I tie ldlu lNcre iOT some IIiuei al Luc
while hearing shooting up the road
toward Shakespeare. two and hall
miles distant. Fearing that possibly
they might return, he gathered up all
his books and valuables, and taking a
couple pairs of blankets, he went out
upon tho plains where he spent the
balance OF the night, safe from any
possible molestation.
Another time, when an excursion
train Of eastern tourists pulled up al
the depot, they were received by the
citizens en- masse, everr mothers son OF
them armed to the teeth. This was
during the Indian troubles, and every
body deemed it wise to carry gun.
Across the street, directly opposite the
depot was Q. X. Smyth's blacksmith
shop, in front of which was beavy
frame work for lifting wagon beds.
/ From this impromptu scaffOld dangled
a body, that of saloon keeper, VIII,
/ had murdered his partner the night
before. The man confessed his crime.
was tried, sentenced and executed with
! in six hours after the deed was com
: mitted, and it did not cost the county
cent, as the judge and jury served
without charge, Mr.. Smyth contributed
/ the gallows, and public spirited citi-
zen donated the rope. The double in
quest which followed in the afternoon.
I was largely attended, and the two ver-
/ diets rendered, besides being models OF
western brevity, gave general satisfac-
/ tion. In the first instance the coroner's
| jury decided it was plain case of MUIR
der, using all the legal phraseology at
Judge Crcaver's disposal, and in the
second place it was clear case of
justitiable hOmocide. AS there were
no lawyers in Lordsburg then, there
was no appeal from this decision. y
young lawyer came few years later
and hung out his shingle, but as the
good people of the town didn't care to
have any trouble, they had him killed.
The tenderfoOt eXcursiOnists, who
hailed from Boston, were horror strick
en- at the evidences of sava9ery seen on
every hand, and they loudly impor-
tuned the conductor OF the train to pull
out from the horrid place, bat as lie
was awaiting orders, he could not com
ply with their request. While yet in
suspense, who should ride up but Six
Shooter Kate, a dimindtive specimeA
OF the fair sex, whose frailty was known
tn lll Shn lrassal in, .tt tipN
wore the regulation cowboy hat and
boots with clinking spurs attached, i
long linen duster, and red silk hand
kerchief about her neck. Her only
iewelry consisted of n battery of Colts
As with ammunition to fit, broad
cartridge belt, and wicked looking
knife sticking prominently in sight.
Some of the more brave among the eX
cursiOnists, ventured to whisper an in
qury us to who and what she was.
When informed by one of the natives,
that she was killer from Killerville,
and had six or seven notches on her
pistol grip, he retired to his private
coach and presumably retailed his in
formation to his friends. As matter
of fact, Kate was as harmless as a
chicken, and it is not on record that
she ever killed a mouse. Stripped of
her jewelry and other useless toggery,
it is extreme ly doubtful if she would
have tipped the beam at ninety pounds.
Although she tried to look fierce, and
bad generally, she never really succeed
ed. She chewcd, smoked. drank whis- |
key, used cuss words volubly, and in
every manner tried to be- man, but
she invariably failed, because she was
not built that way.
Another character in Lordsburg in /
those days, was Fred w. Smith, who
was distinguished from the other men, /
bers of the celebrated family by his I
peculiar appellative of bean-belly, .
given him no doubt in recognition of .
his abdominal protuberance. He an
swered to the name readily, and as he .
kept the Ralston House, the leading
hosiery of the town, he considered /
the title as fitting advertisement of /
his business. Fred was said to be .
lineal descendant of captain John /
Smith, who became famous as the hus-
band of Pocahontas, daughter of /
the famous Indian chief,
who at one time threatened to present 1
son-inlaw with a war club. Be /
that as it may, Fred came of good old |
Virginia stock, was man of educa-
tion. had travelled extensively, and |
was keen to make money. Through /
the influence of his father, who was an
army officer, or was in some way con-
nected with the war department at
Washington, Fred got the appointment
as receiver OF the L. 5. Land Office, at
Tucson. Arizona, where after serving
for several years, he skipped, being as
was afterwards discovered a defaulter
to the government for something like
$50. coo. When last heard of he was
in British Columbia, and
had his swag with him.
Still another notable in the early
days. was Curly Bill, otherwise VIM.
Brosins, who after the murder OF John
Ringold, the acknowledged chief of
the San Simon rustlers. assumed COM
mand by common consent of the gang.
Bill was a Missourian by birth, had a
good education. fine appearance,
was gentlemanly inclined, was daring