Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-05-27
COLONEL DICK PLUNKETT.
A Brave Man Who Used No Deadly
Weapons.

Weapons.
Colonel "Dick" Plunkett, who as
marshal of Creede, Col, in the bad
days" of that turbulent mining camp,
became famous for his contempt for
deadly weapons and his refusal to
carry firearms was in Philadelphia for
few hours yesterday. He had been
in Washington with General Dan Sick
les, Of New York, to see President
Roosevelt.
Colonel Plunkett is a great leveler
Of distinctions. He has been the friend
and, in a measure, the bodyguard OF
governors. judges, congressman and
other notables, but as marshal OF
Creede, and later head Of a police
force guarding the Usage Indian reser:
walton, he has known power and re-
sponsibility. His stay in washington
included a call upon Secretary Of the
Interior Hitchcock, for whom the COL
onel processes the highest esteem.
"The interior department admits Of
more graft than any other branch of
the national service" said Colonel
Plunkett. "The lands Of the Indians
in the southwest, rich with ore and oil
and capable of feeding millions OF
heads of cattle, could be practically
given away by a dishonest official. Mr..
Hitchcock insists that all bids for
leases be brought to Washington and
awarded to the highest bidder"
Plunkett's career Is typically west
erin. Arriving in Creede with the get
rich quick" fever, he found himself In
the midst Of a community made up of
those who came to win their fortunes
by work and many who were there
to rob. Law and order were adminis-
tered by the residents themselves. The
power of government and the decisions
of the Territorial courts were little
needed. The position Of marshal was
not very much sought after.
When Plunkett was given the job he
was regarded with humorous indulg-
ence He had never carried firearms.
first arrest cost him an ugly wound in
his cheek, but he captured the outlaw.
His taking Of Bob" Ford, the slay-
er Of Jesse James, was his most talked
of exploit. Ford had gone on ram
page, and threatened to shoot up" the
town II molested. The colonel awaited
his coming and never moved While the
drunken desperate rode at him brand
ishing a pistol. Ford, overcome by
the sight of the defenseless marshal,
changed his mode Of attack and tried
to run down the colonel with his
horse. Horse and rider were thrown
by the stalwart officer, and Ford was
tied hand and foot.
After much difficulty, the colonel, at
Green's hotel last night, was prevailed
upon to discuss his life as marshal,
He said he never carried revolver
because men who resort to one are US
ually towards or drunk.
"If drunk, it Is murder to kill them, ="
said Colonel Plunkett, "and If sober
they are towards and can be taken
easily. An unarmed man in those days
was always safe, even a marshal. l
never was the cause of a woman be-
coming a widow or child an orphan
and as for justice 1t was swift and
sure enough in those days. There was
very little work for the lawyers" he
added with a grim smile.
The colonel takes more pride In his
career among the Usage Indians In
Oklahoma, than in his life in the min
! ing camps. He was chief of police on
the Usage reservation, but his energies
were directed against the white men
in the district. Illicit dealers, gamblers
and other riff-raff hung around the
reservation, waiting for the Indians to
draw their monthly pension from the
government. Their right to be in Ok
lahoma was hard to dispute, but Col
onel Plunkett used to the utmost a
law forbidding alcoholic beverages up
on the reservation.
Few could be found that were not
liable for arrest upon such a charge,
and the colonel exercised wholesome
authority. He won the respect and
confidence Of the Osages. and when
ever the head men of the tribe go to
Washington to appeal against vicious
legislation or maiadministration Of
their affairs, Colonel Fiunkett, if in
the country, goes there too. His di-
rect testimony is always Of value to
them and the congressional commit
tees.
year to examine some mining proper
ties held by New York capitalists. He
says that Southeastern Alaska, with
it's fine climate and good soil, is at
tracing many householders from the
Dominion of Canada. He regrets that
more American families do not settle
there. Colonel Plunkett will endeavor
to interest some railroad men to con-
struct a road to the interior.
While in Washington the colonel was
the guest of former Senator Thurston
of Nebraska. The senator resented the
incredulity of friend. who intimated
that Colonel Plunkett's 269 pounds
made some of the deeds for which he
is noted impossible. Senator Thurs
ton was vindicated when the Colonel
turned succession of handsprings
with the agility of a youth.-Philadel-
phia Record.
8ET One of the twelve-inch guns of the
,o1; ,s,N ;e. 20 ,n1