The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1902-02-13
OLD-TIME SKETCHES
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/ Speaking OF bad meu, il was my mis-
I fortune to be acquainted with one who
took the cake. 1t made but little odds
what took place, his meaaness cropped
out. His name was John Hinchv, and
he never mad partner mean enough
to stand him of or courage to protect
himself from. the many assaults and
bad threats that Hinchy would per-
petrate. Well, once upon time some
where between sun River and Fort
Benton, Hincby was driving an over
land OK team for Majors and Russells.
1t was late in the afternoon and Mr..
Majors was very anxious TO get his
wagons corralled before night rs 6
great many war parties OF Indians were
most always seen around there. Ii was
the crossing of the Blackfcet, Bloods
and Pagaus great trail, and trains ia
those days had to watch very close and
keep together, or they would scoop
down, kill and burn the whole train.
1t had started to rain aud Hinchy's
team was the last on the hill. He
worked with his oxen and could not
make them pull up. Mr.. Majors rode
back 10 the top of the hill and called to
Hinchy asking him what was the mat
ter. Hinchy said the oxen won't pull
pound. Majors then told him 10
make them pull or kill every one. He
then rode back to camp. 1t must have
been thirty minutes when the camp
was startled by shots down the hill.
Most all OF the teamsters took their
guns and ran to Mr.. Hinchy's assis-
tance. but what a sight. There lay
six oxen dead, and Hinchy taking the
svOkes from the balance OF his team
Majors said, what is the matter,
Hinchy?' and then MIR. Hinchy broke
loose. He wanted more cartridges, as
he had shot all of his away obeying
Mapor'S orders, and the old boss said
what ORDERS" and Hinchy told him
that he gave him orders to pull the
wagons into camp or kill the team,
and he had killed all his six shots
could: and if Majors would give him
ammunition he would kill all the bal
ance. AS the Indians did not come
they got the tired oxen from the camp
and pulled Hinchy's outfit up, but
when they came TO Benton Mr.. Hinchy
was paid off and new teamster took
his whip.
Some time after that Hiuchy was in
partnership with a man cutting hay on
a small stream called the Sandy, close
to Bear Paw mountain. AS they were
on side hill with load of hay.
Hinchy told his -partner-if- he tipped
over that he would shoot him. The
wagon went over and very lucky for
the driver it buried him deep in hay.
Hinchy had done what he said he
would. He emptied his pistol in the
hay. There were others there and
they stopped the shooting and rescued
the driver, but the partnership was
broken there and then.
Now about that time Mr.. Hinchy
went to the British possessions on a
trading tour. He could get no part
ners. and he felt sour at most all of the
other traders, and they formed kind
of a protection society against him.
He was somewhat at outs with Liver
Eating Johnson. and wanted to kill
him some way; so he fixed up a game
to have a shooting scrape with a col
ored man, his intentions were to shoot
at the niger and hit Johnson, but the
old trapper was on his guard and start
ed the game by putting his rifle in
Hinchy's face, but Hinchy said II am
after that nigger;n turning at the same
time and killed the poor fellow who
had done nothing to anyone. johnson
held his gun on him and Mr.. Hinchy
had to take water. Then all tho trad
ers got up in arms. They took Hinchy,
loaded his team up with his own
goods, gave him his gun and pistol and
told him 10 leave and never return.
He came to Fort Benton. 1t was a
terrible cold winter but he made the
trip, got on drunk and started row
with saloon keeper. He told the
saloon keeper, Mr.. Marshall, that he
had left his gun and pistol in his wagon
in the corral where his blankets were,
and he would get them and come back
and kill him in twenty minutes.
Marshall said Il have done nothing TO
you Mr.. Hiuchy, don't 60" Hinchy
started for the door and told Marshall
to shoot. and Marshall shot him in the
right side. Hinchy turned round and
put his right hand to his left side and
said, shoot me there and Marshall
obeyed orders. He gave him a shot
under the arm pit and he fell. They
RULED him out doors in tho cold snow.
and as he was dead. left him for the
coroner the next morning. Mr.. Mar
shall was acquitted. but OF course a
great many always said th at Marshall
was murderer, for he gave poor
Hinchy no show. But as | was on the
coroner's jury, 1 always belieyed that
Marshall not only done right but
should have had pension, for he surely
got away with bad man.
And thus he died as all desperadoes die
That seeks a life OF desperation and Of pain:
He sank bcneath glorious Montana sky
hope an humble prayer is not in vein.
C.B.s.
Millions Put To Work.
Il