The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-11-25
FRONTIER LIFE.

young man-and gray is now silver
ing my hair-I had occasion to visit the
far West in government employ, with
party of surveyors. The nature OF
our errand, our numbers, and the elab-
crate preparations we had made
against any hostile demonstrations, in
sured us from any molestation, save
in a few rare instances; yet in that
wild country it was impossible that We
should remain long without witness
ing many scenes not familiar in law
abiding and cultivated districts. To be
sure, we were not beyond the pale OF
law-that is, there were certain officers,
widely scattered, who occasionally snot
down some drunken desperate, IL ms
friends were not too numerous; out
beyond such heroic acts they seldom
exercised the powers they were sup
posed to possess. Generally, each sep
arate community had recognized
leader, some man more muscular ana
reckless than his fellows, and who by
virtue of his qualities had a certain
number of followers, who were ready
to see that his will was the ruling
power in that vicinity. OF course, such
men were the real lawmakers, anu
they were very seldom opposed or mo-
Tested.
Such a one was Jack Dunlaw. Jacks
headquarters were at the station on
the Overland Mail route, where we
CHANGED to be located for few weeks,
while surveying in that vicinity, ana
we had good opportunity to witness
a most interesting incident in his ex-
perience, which transpired while we
were there. In appearance he was TOT
midable enough, as we saw MIN on
the morning after our arrival. fully
six feet six inches in height, with long
arms and legs, slightly STOPPING, with
a ponderous frame, immense masses
of hair, and beard, clothing in keeping
with his general appearance, and nelth-
er over-cleanly nor attractive, bowie
knife and revolver thrust intoshls belt
as he walked about the station, Jack
was certainly the man to intlmloate
any person of moderate nerves.
For many years he had been recog-
nized as the leading spirit in that Vi
cinity, and from that position he had
grown independent of all restraint
save his own will. He had a chosen
band of followers, who were ready TO
support him in any villainous under
taking. We were not long kept in
waiting before some of his peculiarltles
were brought to our notice.
The keeper of the station, Frank
Russell, was medium-sized man, some
forty years Of age, who had recently
some to the place, bringing with him
a family, consisting of one daughter,
his wife, and young man who mad
been in his employ several years, and
who was said to be the accepted lover
of the daughter Cora. Stephen Ran
ney was his name, a very quiet, gen.
tlemanly-appearing young man, some |
five feet nine inches high, and weigh
ing at a moderate estimate, hundred |
and fifty pounds. He seldom spoke I'M
less addressed, when his words were |
brief and to the point.
On the morning following our ar
rival, while the chief engineer of our |
corps was preparing the work for the
day. the remainder of the party. after
examining their instruments and put
ting everything in readiness for ser
vice, disposed ourselves about the sta
ton to smoke and wait for orders.
While wreathing ourselves in vapor,
and longing for day or two of rest,
in strobe Jack Dunlaw, and demanded
4 dram of whiskey. The barkeeper
produced the beverage, and Jack,
who was already more than excited by
The potations of vile liquor which he
had swallowed, turned it down with a
yurgle. Just as he lowered the tin cup
which served instead of tumbler,
Cora Russell entered the room, look
ng for her father.
Here, gal, give us kiss!" Jack ex-
Manned, as he caught sight of her.
Alarmed at his brutal manner, the
yirl turned to leave the room, but be-
ore she could do so the bully had
taught and kissed her repeatedly, with
lis liquor-fumed and tobacco-stained
FPS.
AS she broke from his grasp and as
,aped at length, he turned to the bar
lgain, and with some beastly remarks,
brew down a coin and sauntered out,
hose of his admirers present laughing
heartily as he left the place.
AS the scene progressed l sprang
rom my seat and took step toward
he ruffian, but surveyor pulled me
Jack, and with a diffidence and cow
lrdice of which l ever since have been