Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-04-08

Mexico. I knew the habits Of the
banditti, had fought and rode among
bad men throughout the frontier states,
but had never found braver man
than Burke. My meeting with him
was extraordinary, and not accom-
panied by the most comforting circum-
stances.
Red Hart. He, told me he was going to
open a new building that night and
wanted me to help him by seeing that
no desperadoes entered the place. 1
told him I would aid him and I re-
manned in the building until late.
There was a varied throng there
men of all classes and descriptions
most Of them rough -and-ready fellows.
About o'clock in the morning, when
all the early comers were gone, I walk
ed down the back stairs, which termt-
mated in an alley. At the bottom OF
the stairway was hooded door, be-
hind which burned a Pickering, smoky
oil lamp. The shadows wavered and
rather blinded one.
When reached the bottom OF the
stairs and opened the door into the al
ley I was confronted by four men.
Each man held gun at my head, Or
dered me to throw up my hands. and
deliver what cash I had.
To me this was rather astonishing,
for have always been a peaceful man.
I did not see my way clear to accede
to the demand. quietly and slowly
pulled out my revolver-a beautiful
barker that shot ball as big as wal
nut-and simply stated that I did not
intend to be robbed. The largest Of
the four men-a handsome, broad
shouldered, but desperate looking fell
low, again ordered me to give up my
money.
"You are four to one," I said. -Four
towards to one man, and I am brave
man, understand that. You can kill
me, know, but I can shoot quicker
than you, and before 60 down 1 will
send two Of you to the happy hunting
grounds. Turn loose, If you want to,
and I'll give you more thanGa fair
show, but I'll get two of you"
The tall man lowered his revolver
and stepped forward. You don't kill a
brave man like this fellow, boys" he
said, land I'm on his side. ! fight
with him."
told him to get back with his gang,
that was not afraid Of the four. The
big fellow ordered the men to put up
their weapons, saying: 1T amt a
square deal to get a live one cooped
up this way. The treats are on us,
stranger, If you'll come around the cor
ner."
| I went, but told them they must pay
for the treat, and that nothing less
than a five-dollar gold piece would
square matters. They opened bottle
of champagne. We drank up and then
the four left. I never said word to
any one about the experience, but
found thereafter that every man In
BILLY the Kids" gang was my friend.
met them time and again in the Sew
en- Rivers district, along the Rio
Grande, and all through No Mans
Land, and they never once stopped or
offered to harm me.
Several months after the little epis-
ode at Ell Paso + had to go to the
Apache reservation Ab a government
engineer to run some lines bearing on
the local coal lands along the Seven
Rivers. knew I was in the bad terri
tory but the men never mistrusted me,
met a time or two the big fellow. who
held me up, and came to know him
as Jack Burke.
One day I came near to Burkes
cabin, a four-room building with an
L and log porch of primitive style
I saw Burke sitting on the porch
cleaning his Winchester rifle. I spoke
to him and went through to the rear
to speak to an old woman who kept
the cabin. While talking to her heard
a rifle shot, and, hurrying around to
the porch, found Burke had been shot
by a member Of his own gang. The
wound was frightful one. The ball
had ripped open his abdomen. I got a
sheet and tied it around his waist
and he crawled into the house.
"Get me to the window, Jack" he said
"and tell the old woman to keep out OF
the way. There's going to be hell to
pay here for little while. Give me
my gun and put mattress up under
the window. There will die, but I'll
take few along with me when I 60
This is not your fight, Jack Crawford
have not long to live. Keep out OF
the way until call you."
Burke raised his rifle, stuck 1t out of
the window and waited. I did not
think he could live five minutes, SO
took the old woman and got her out
of harms way. In another minute
the Winchester began splitting fire.
For twenty minutes the battle kept up
furiously. A great many shots were
fired from places Of hiding outside,
and Jack watched the little pufrs OF
smoke and then sent a bullet straight
to the mark.
At last his firing ceased for a mo-
ment, and thought it was all over
with him. Then saw him slowly lay
his cheek against his rifle stock, as
slowly close one eye, and as slowly pull
the trigger. His aim was directed at
small knot hole in a sawmill 200 yards
away. The bullet went straight to the
point, as I learned afterward. When
Jack fired his last shot-it was what
we call the dead mans shot, and is
always true-he called me.
| I ran to him and he said: stretch