The sun., 1904-05-29
down the building and took the negro

uown tne Duildlng and took the negro
Smith looked over the town for a day
before he took the job, then In the evening
strolled into the Mayors office and said
he guessed he would take the office. He
was asked for his plan Of operations and
SAID ne had none except that he thought
he would stop the practice Of carrying
firearms
you can't do that, declared the Mayor.
They have been carrying firearms since
the beginning Of the town.
But ii is against the ordinance?"
AYes, OF course it ls."
arms" said Smith. quietly. aYou see. we
could stand guns or whiskey but we can't
stand both. There lint no chance to
stop the whiskey. and We might as we'll
stop the guns. Then there will be less
danger"
That night new copies Of the anti. gun
ordinance were posted around the town.
and tho next morning Smith took the oath
Of office Long before he appeared on the
street the gang was ready for business
and many boasted that the man did not
live who could make them give up their
guns.
Smith was about s feet II inches high,
deep.chested and with sinews of steel.
he did not seem to be so powerful as he was.
He ate hearty breakfast and strolled
down the street. The first person he met
was Hank Hawkins, a huge cattle puncher
from southern Texas, who had made HIM
self obnoxious to the town. As the new
out and asked.
so you're ,..he man who hls coma to
M" replied Smith, "but / have been
hirs1 to keep order. and am going to try
to do it the best can"
Hawkins was openly wearing two big
navies, and, pointing to them. he asked:
"Wlat are you goin' to do about these?"
THAT is one of the laws. and will have
to trouble you for the guns right now
Il won't give them UP to any live man.
Il amt lookin for trouble. said tho
marshal, his steel-gray eyes flashing, but
you will obey the ordinance"
Like flash he leaped forward and landed
terrific blow on the forehead OF the big
eye Smith was on top Of him with the guns
in his hands.
Il will give you ten seconds to start for
the city limits. was the ruling
the marshal the cowboy lit out for the high
grass Smith leisurely pocketed the guns
and sauntered down the street as if he had
nothing to do.
Presently he came to a saloon where,
crowd Of cowboys were drinking. To
them Smith made a little speech:
am going to have order In this town,
and | want every man to obey he said.
IF he don't obey, will make him. ! shall
treat every one fairly. You must all give
Mayors office, where you can find them
when you want to leave town.
For moment there was silence. Then
faro dealer. a leader among the sports.
spoke up:
THAT is the nerviest act I ever saw.
Here, Mr.. Marshal, is my gun"
He handed it to Smith, and all the Others
followed his example. They were glad Of
a chance to get out Of the predicament at the
least Gss possbs o1 s Of s sssbsa Smith,
and SO compromise was proposed.
The saloon keepers were to be the GUS
todians Of the weapons, and the cowboys
hs to e% Gid G t. oa her hn
time until Smith met death not gun was
carried is this city with the knowledge OF
the marshal.
Smith was killed while attempting the
arrest Of murderer three miles northwest
Of here. Two Scotsmen had trouble with an
Irishman about some of the latter's cattle
destroying their corn. They killed the
Iriehman and took refuge in their cabin,
defying the authorities.
The Sheriff and his posse went out and
did not dare go near enough to the cabin
to make the arrest, coming back to town.
Smith volunteered to take two men and
bring in the murderers.
When they came near the cabin one Of the
Scotsmen was in the rear chopping wood.
The other was inside, and he cut loose with
a gun, firing a shot into Smiths breast.
The deputies fled, and Smith, with his true
nerve. leaped into the dark little cabin and
had nearly handcuffed the murderer when
the Scotsman outside came with his axe,
and with a single blow severed Smiths
head from his body.
The wound from the rife was Of itself
mortal, and his des perate fight after receiv-
ing it showed how undaunted he was. So
opHaA the life ~ thn who IL aQid nv
every one who knew him to have Possessed
the most magnificent courage of any Of
those who mingled with the process ion OF
desperadoes and bad men on the plains in
the early days.
His murderers met speedy justice for
their deed. Smith was buried In the little
cemetery, and the cowboys ran the towA
again with their old .vigor and reckless
ness. He was followed by Wild Bill Hickok
another marshal a.; ia; OF note on the plains 9 more
fame than Smith, but not the formers
equal as a fighter, and possessing not half
the respect that came to the quieter man.
1t was characteristic OF the feeling Of the
of iron that when they once gave up they
were firm friends Of the man who had con-
quered them. One day, long after Smiths
death, a gambler took occasio to insult
his memory. The saloon was IN an uproar
in minute and he was called on to take
enough, and was promptly stretched on the
floor by the strongest man present, while
the others cheered at the action.
short time ago one Of the old settlers OF
the city found among his relics Of the cattle
trail days a daguerreotype Of Smith, proba-
bly, the only picture he ever had taken.
This was copied by the local photographer.
and nearly enough copies were sold to
build the monument to the dead marshal's
memory.