The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-14


ing camp. II / had time I could re-
late hundreds Of things that had
seen in the Elk mountains Of Colora-
do which would furnish themes for
the mems Of Mark Twain or BIZ Nye'
were he alive.
In 1880. Gunnison City had a great
boom It was the trading point for
"a dozen prosperous mining towns. II
was the resort Of gamblers. bunko-
steerers. mine jumpers, blacklegs and
questionable characters from every
point Of the earths compass. Among
the hard and desperate characters
one could see any day on the streets
was a fellow who went by the name
OF "Calabash Sam" The better dis
posed part of the citizens dreaded to
meet him and after committing one
depredation after another, decided to
run him out Of the town. In order to
do this they fully realized that they
had a desperate contract on their
hands. for Sam was a cool. brave and
deyil.may-care sort of "A fellow who
would rather shoot a man any time
than jack rabbit lie had a number
of notchos on his gun, each notch rep.
resenting a man that he had, at some
time or other sent suddenly "over the
range" But his bad deeds became so
open and notorious that the people
could remain passive no longer
At length Two hundred Of the lead.
ing citizens met in convention ON a
street corner 60 take his case into
consideration. Col Parker now Of
Deadwood South Dakota, presented
the following resolutions:
Resolved That committee of 1--WE
Dee appointed 20 wait upon Calabash
sam. .llte Of Dcadwood. and inform
him that after sunrise tomorrow
this crowd viii open FIRE on him with
tho intention Of furnishing corpse
for our new graveyard"
Five daring and courageous men
were selected 10 serve ON that com.
mlttee. The convention then od.
jouned 20 meet again to hear the re-
port OF the committee.
The committee then went forth to
6ud Samuel and deliver the message
After a short search they found him
sitting on bonch at the door OF his
shanty. a knife in his belt, q shot gun
across his knee and pipe in his
mouth. lie remained silent while the
chairman of the committee read the
resolution.
Then he slowly arose and said:
Il suppose that means me, doesn,
Iit?"
"Shs does" replied the chairman
with great emphasis.
They don't like my style OF doing
business, ! suppose"
Wen. Sam was the reply that's
what they kick on"
Well | won't go. the devil himself
couldn't mako me- You havn't got
nun men In the T0mlchi valley 10
drive Calabash Sam a rod Return to
the convention gentlemen, and re-
port that | am here for the season. "
Il forgot TO mention said the
chairman In a careless voice. as he
leaned on his gun. that the conven.
tlon has adjourned The committee
thereby finds itself in an embarrass.
Ing situation. and Il sees only one way
out OF H. unless you1l agree 10 pick
up your duds and make tracks this
committee will feel called up TO- to-
ITO begin shooting | suppose"
That's It exactly Sam. YOU may
have already noticed that three OF the
committee have already got the drop
on YOU"
Il see said Sam. but its d--d
cowardly Let me load my gun and
I will take my chances with an
three
Well Sam, We want no fooling.
want 20 remind YOU that corpses
which are rddled with buohshot have
a very UNPLEASANT lcok. continued
the chairman. as ne rested ais chin
ON the muzzle OF his gun.
Yes ! suppose that's so. but
And It's kind Of lones0me this
being the FIRST plant en- a new burying
ground"
Yes. a follow wouldn't have much
company. sure, aud bosido5 dead men
are poor takers anyway"
And SO taking IL an around. the
committee Andcr indulgcs The hope
that youll see hs % carry your val.
liable society back 20 the Black Huls.
You may have observed thai the hree
sho,guns are under fun cock ana an,
now looking straight az YOU We
don't want Go bun, but irs getting
nigh supper time"
Well after lOOking the matter All