The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-29

DlckSburgites were always in positive evil
dence around the pit in which the fowls
We're hghtnS to a CORY finish But the
surviving participants in the giOries OF the
Town cannot recall 4 single cock fight with
In the bounds of Dicksburg proper
however. these aged citizons can very
readily recall some of the most important
and exciting fstic encounters which were
not always on programme. 3Ut never heless
expected on big days. One particularly in
teresting contest was between John Green
tree and Charles Kinmons. in which
GreentTee was badly Cisigured, having
previously become OVerStimu ated by i'm
biblng too FIRE ely of the common beverage.
As Inomas Westfall relates the story Of
this hight he laughs heartily as he remem-
Ders the manner in which Greentree entered
tne ring. Barefoot, trousers rolled above
ms knees and shirt sleeves above his ell
ooWs, he faced his antagonist with a
giadiatorial determination and left it very
IKE the cartoonists conception OF a base
ball umpire after close game. There were
no gloves TO soften the stroke and the
hard knuckles tore the flesh.
RESULTED IN A TRAGEDY
Another fight, and the only one recalled
that resulted in a tragedy, was between
William Case and Riley Johnson. Case
was badly injured and died the following
morning. Johnson was arrested and placed
on trial at Vincennes. During the progress
OF the trial Cases physician testified that
death resulted from causes other than the
wounds sustained in the fight. This sur
prising testimony caused a sudden termina-
ton of the trial, and the case was dis
missed. 1t was the general opinion that
Case died as a result of the fight, as he
was apparently In good health before the
engagement occurred
On another riotous occasion, Homer
Turner, brother of Riley and Joseph Turner.
was engaged in an imprOmptu fistic contest
when young man by the name of Hill,
who was we'll intoxicated, fired a revolver,
the ball striking Turner in the jaw. 1t is
not known whether Hill fired at Turner or
merely shot into the crowd to crafty his
desire TO do mischief. But the sudden
change or the programme stopped the fight,
and the interest of the crowd centered
around Hill, who had darted from the
scene before the spectators were well
aware or the result of the shot. As Hill
ran 10 escape, the crowd started in hot
pursuit, firing wildly at the pursued. Hill
quickly mounted a horse and started at
breakneck speed up the road, followed by
a small cavalry determined on catching the
reckless shooter.
During the chase, Hill was shot in the
hip, but refused to surrender. The pursu-
Ing party gained on him, and when he
was at last apprehended, opened fire and
Shot William Policy through the hand. He
was nnaIly overpowered and narrowly eS-
capped the usual result of mob violence.
He was handed over to the authorities,
tried and served a term of two years in
the penitentiary.
As a gambling resort, Dicksburg was
widely noted, and some of the cleverest
gamblers of the day were often on the
ground. Poker was the general game
played with cards, but the favorite
game OF chance was chuck-a-luck. This
game is practically obsolete, but ii had a
popular reign half century ago, and like
all similar gambling vices. the operator of
the board reaped the rewards.
Shooting matches were decidedly popular,
put not as they are conducted in the pres
ent day. Live turkeys were staked at a
reasonable distance and the heavy muzZle
loaded rifles were brought to bear against
them by all the marksmen who could raise
dime for each shot. AS a result of some
had shooting, the contests were usually
tough on the fowls. but the cruel feature
was lost in the excitement that always
companied these occasions. There was never
lack of the live targets.
DRINKING WAS GENERAL
Drinking was practically a universal habit
on all and between occasions and was un-
checked by law and undisturbed by public
sentiment. The air around Dicksburg was
not yet impregnated with moral sentiments.
and everything that tended towards the in
classification of pleasure and hilarity was
unscrupulously permitted. There being no
restrictions upon the sale of intoxicants,
these beverages circulated freely and the
stands and saloons were patronized lib
orally.
The spirit of amusements were not confined
to the male population, but the wives and
daughters enjoyed the racing occasion