Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-06-02


3 approached. He declined to come in
Q but remained outside, but removed
Q his hat. I inquired what he thought.
a He said he believed he could handle
I the town.
: "What plans do you propose to ac-
D complish that" asked, curious to
get his ideas and to "size him up"
He replied that firearms must be
given up; that whiskey and pistols
were combination beyond crntrol.
As well contend, he said, with q
frenzied maniac as an armed and
drunken cowboy. His logic was
well.grounded, but the image Of that
obliterated target ordinance was
equally impressed; besides. my recent
study Of cowboy nature and training
and matured convictions respecting
the inherent difficulty OF determining
whether cowboy and his gun were
separate elements even under normal
conditions. But l mastered my ris-
ing skepticism, and inquired il he
really thought he could enforce that
ordinancep
eyes," be said, II think l can"
"When do you want to beginP" "As
well at once" he,quickly replied.
Then | recited the oath Of office to
him as we stood there alone. How
well recall the scene at that mo-
ment! / was about foot above the
ground, facing northwesterly. The
bright CLEANS Of the setting sun
athwart Smiths square right shoulder,
struck me in the face. As he raised
his hand for the oath in response to
my own, the binding glimmer Of the
rays made me lift my other to shield
my eyes as peered searchingly into
his own. II could but picture vivid
ly like kineograph the full perspective
spread before my vision them, what
priceless treasure for your archives it
would bel
Silently he moved off and l watched
him with misgiving disappear down
town, third OF mile away.
Almost Immediately he encountered
big Hank, a cowboy desperate, who
had made himself particularly 5bnox-
ious to former marshals, and was
loudest In his boast that no one could
iisarm him. Wearing a belted re-
Volver, he approached Smith and
,auntingly asked him il he was the
nan who proposed to run the town.
smith said he was employed as Mar
hal and that he should try to main.
ain order and enfore the law.
"What are you going to do about
hat gun ordinance"
"See that it is obeyed," replied
mith; and then quietly added, II
lust trouble you to hand me yours"
With coarse oath this was re-
lsed. Enthusiastically cool, Smith
gain made the demand and again
as met with profanity and abuse.
,stantly he sprang forward and
nded q terrible blow which placed
Sig Hank hors dc combat. The Mar
lal took away the pistol and ordered
5 owner at once to leave for camp
com mand needed with crest-fallen
acrity,
The news OF this encounter before
idnight was heralded over radius OF
any miles throughout the country.
he unique punishment employed
as wholly new to cowboy warfare,
ID every phase Of the combat was
bated. In camp out on branch
Chapman Creek, wager laid by
big, burly brute, that he could go
town and defy surrender Of his gun.
omptly next morning, Sunday,
vyoming Frank was op hand to full
his boast. Smith was rather late
appearing. The desperado, i'm
tient and drinking, began vaunting
at the Marshal had probably heard
at be was in town and be "reckonet
1t he had lighted out" Finally
nth came quietly down the middle
the street, as was his wont, and
ssently confronted the advancing
lily. Quiet as Big Hank the eve
e before, he began chatting, in
emily, with the idea of involving
18th in q quarrel as an excuse for
isting the demand be knew would
made. Divining his purpose,
ith guardedly requested surrender
he gun purposely displayed. OF
rise this was refused, but some
1t dAunted by the peculiar steely