Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-01-29

y2ss&9J that we We're beaten. 1t was
not SO much grief as a blind fury that
hlled my heart, and, looking at the
faces of the men about me, | read the
same feeling there. But what could
we do? The yells of carousing miners
down at Slavin's told us that nothing
could be done with them that night.
10 be so utterly beaten and unfairly
and witch no chance Of revenge was
maddening.
I'D like to get back at EN-" said
Abe, carefully depressing himself.
I've got it, men, said Graeme sud-
denly. This town does not require
all the whisky there is in it." And he
unfolded his plan. 1t was to gain pos.
session of Slavin's saloon and the bar
of the Black Rock hotel and clear out
all the liquor to be found in both these
places. did not much like the idea,
but Geordie said: "I'm ga'en after the
lad. I'll hae naethin' tae dae wiz yon.
It's no that easy, an it's q sinfu'
waste"
But Abe was wild to try it, and
Shaw was quite willing, while old Mel
son sternly approved.
Nelson, you and Shaw get couple
of our men and attend to the saloon.
Slayin and the whole gang are up at
the Black Rock, SO you won't have
much trouble. but come to us as soon
as you can"
And SO we went our ways.
Then followed scene the like Of
which can never hope to see again,
and it was worth mans seeing. but
there We're times that night when
wished l had not agreed to follow
Graeme in his plot.
AS we went up to the hotel I asked
Graeme:
"What about the law of thisT'
Law" he replied Indignantly. 'They
haven't troubled much about law in
the whisky business here. They get a
keg of high wines and some drugs and
begin operations. No." he went on; eff
we can get the crowd out and ourselves
in we'll make them break the law in
getting us out. The law won't trouble
us over smusgled whisky. 1t will be
great lark, and they won't crow too
loud over the league"
did not like the undertaking at first,
but as thought of the whole wretched
Illegal business aourishing upon the
weakness of the men in the mines and
camps, whom I had learned to regard
as brothers, and especially as thought
of the towards that did for Nixon, 1
let my scruples go and determined,
with Abe. to "get back at 'em.'
We had no difficulty getting them out.
Abe began to yell. Some men rushed
out to learn the cause. He seized the
foremost man, making hideous up
roar all the while, and in three minutes
had every man out of the hotel and
lively row going on.
In two minutes more Graeme and I
had the door of the ballroom locked
and barricaded with empty casks We
then closed the door of the barroom
leading to the outside. The barroom
was strongly built log shack, with
heavy door secured, after the manner
of the early cabins, with two strong
oak bars, SO that we felt safe from at
tack from that quarter.
The ballroom we could not hold long,
for the door was slight and entrance
was possible through the window. But
as only few casks of liquor were left
there our main work would be in the
bar, SO that the fight would be to hold
the passageway. This we barricaded
with casks. and tables. But by this
time the crowd had begun to realize
what had happened and were wildly
yelling at door and windows. With an
ak which Graeme had brought with
him the casks were soon stove in and
left to empty themselves.
AS was about to empty the last
cask Graeme stopped me, saying: "Let
that stand here. 1t will help u.s." And
SO it did. "Now skip for the barri-
cadew yelled Greene as man came
crashing through the window. But be-
fore he could regain his feet Graeme
had seized him and flung him out upon
the heads Of the crowd outside. But
through the other windows men We're
coming In, and Graeme rushed for the
barricade, followed by two of the enc
my, the foremost of whom received
at the top and hurled back upon the
others.
Nov be quickr said Graeme. 'Tll
hold this. Don't break any bottles on
the floor. Throw them out there"
polutiilg to little wlny.ow high up in
the wall.
made all haste. The casks did not
take much time, and soon the whisky
and beer were flowing over the floor.
1t made me think of Geordie's regret
over the ''sinfu' waste" The bottles
took longer, and, glancing up now and
then, / saw that Graeme was being
hard pressed. Men would leap, two
and three at time, upon the barricade,
| and Graeme's arms would shoot out,
and over they would topple upon the
| heads of those nearest. 1t was great
sight to see him standing alone, with
| smile on his face and the light Of bat
! tie in his eye, coolly meeting his as
sailants with those terrific, lightning
like blows. In fifteen minutes my work
was done.
"What neyt?" asked "HoW do we