The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-11-02
FRONTIER LIFE.

Seven years since, when was quite
young man-and gray is now silver
Ing my hair-I had occasion to visit the
far West in government employ, with
q party of surveyors. The nature OF
our errand, our numbers, and the elao-
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 end cultivated districts. To be
sure, we we're not beyond the pale OF
law--that is, there were certain officers,
widely scattered, who occasionally shot
down some drunken desperate, IL his
friends we're not too numerous; but
beyond such heroic acts they seldom
exercised the powers they were sup
posed to possess. Generally, each sep
arate community had a recognized
leader, some man more muscular and
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, and
they we're 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
chanced to be located for few weeks,
while surveying in that vicinity, and
we had good opportunity to witness
a most interesting incident in his ex-
perience, which transpired while we
were there. In appearance he was for
midable enough, as we saw him 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 Meth
er over-cleanly nor attractive, bowie
knife and revolver thrust into his belt
as he walked about the station, Jack
was certainly the man to intimidate
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 peculiarities
10
The keeper of the station, Frank
Russell, was a 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 had
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, very quiet, gen.
uemanly-appearing young man, some
Ave feet nine inches high, and weigh
ing at a moderate estimate, hundred
and fifty pounds. He seldom spoke un-
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
Non 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
q dram of whiskey. The barkeepeI
produced the beverage, and Jack
who was already more than excited by
the potations OF vile liquor which he
had swallowed, turned IL down with G
gurgle. Just as he lowered the tin cur
which served instead of a tumbler
Cora Russell entered the room, look
ing for her father.
Here, gal, give us kiss!" Jack ex
claimed, as he caught sight Of her.
Alarmed at his brutal manner, the
girl turned to leave the room, but be
fore she could do so the bully hat
caught and kissed her repeatedly, witt
his liquor-fumed and tobacco-staine'
lips
AS she broke from his grasp and as
capped at length, he turned to the ba
again, and with some beastly remarks
threw down coin and sauntered out
those of his admirers present LAUGHING
heartily as he left the place.
AS the scene progressed / spran
from my seat and took a step towar
the ruffian, but a surveyor pulled m
back, and with a diffidence and COW
ardice of which / ever since have bee
. ashamed, did not make a secon
movement.
I saw the father turn slightly pal'
but he made no protest, only followin
his daughter from the room, and n
turning several minutes afterwards a
calm as ever
No one seemed to resent this fearfl
insult, which, perhaps, nowhere else
the civilized world would have bee
permitted to 90 unpunished; and In
day o. two we almost ceased to thin
Of Il, - other brutal acts on the Pal