The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-05-23
saved by q Plug OF Tobacco.

Austin, IeEae, May l2.--l'here was
much lsvlesspsas in Texas during the
eivil war and The RsscnasYuotion
period following. Mejor W. NJ.
spesce, editor Of the Austin Daily
tribune, was o member OF one OF the
hauger companies in those days and
had many narrow escapes from aosth,
The tighsest place he was ever in was
when be spent the nigh. in the oanp
OF tho notorious Willis brothers, who
were accused Of many murders and
other orimee. Five OF them wore sf-
terWard captured aud we're lynohed 10
Austin.
"The only thing that saved me from
being killed by the Willis brothers,
gang WAS plug of tobacco" Major
Spence said the other day: II was
out on scouting expedition and was
alone.
"A cold norther, accompanied by
dismal rain, set in, and soon became
chilled through and through. I rode
on until saw light shining through
the trees. approached the spot eau.
tiously. When got near saw a
small log cabin and adjoin;as it was an
arbor built Of limbs Of trees.
"Uader. this srbor FIRE was burn.
ing aud seated close to tho Gre were
sn old man and womsn.. 1 rode up
and made myself known to shem.
The old man asked me 70 dismoiunt.
was glad TO do 50, and when they
offered me CUP Of coffee made out OF
parohed corn meal you may be sure T
felt grateful sor che hospitality Of the
old couple. >'.. -.
II drank three or four oups OF oof-
fee and then drew forth a big plug Of
tobacco and took Q chew. The old
man sna the woman fastened their
eyes upon the tobacco and asked mo
give them some Of it.
II complied with their request and
they filed their pipes with it and sat
down by the fire and smoked. i never
saw more conteutment expressed upon
the face OF a human being than that
shown by those two old people while
they sat there smoking, with the cold
norther blowing around them. - y
San hour or so after my, arrival q
big strapping young fellow entered
the shack and I was introduced TO
him as the old couples son.. A little
later on another young fellow oame il
and wss told that be was also their
con. 49,. ; .......-'. ::..& -,
"By this time my sgspioions, were
becoming aroused, but I did not say
anything to indicate that was alarm
ed. Both Of the young men asked me
for some tobacco. I gave them liberal
ohews and some in addition to smoke
in their pipes, and they seemed to ap.
preciats the favor very much. !, 4: S s.:tg !.
II had been sitting there talking TO
ths old couple and these two men for
an hour ct 'wo when I heard the
strains If y violin. I looked ia the
direo;'"a "henae the iaound came and
saw Jig b. shining through the,tress.
TIE e!A sz= =:=sisu0e :aua s.
said: i g l. I:... =. Sa s.. s:!.f5 & 1
1.-THE other boys live; over there; !;
you u have to, sleep with them to.
night < 81 ). i; >, =: 81: : !, Is
s,/:l"When the time came 70: :: retire \ tire I
went over 70 the spot who're the ether
light ;waa shiniug..,;Ii found eleven
men and swoS women Id d little Ion
cabin. Bunks were arranged around
the room for their saaooimt da.i;oIni. -;
S.. aI T did not :feaAiyetsk / isvar9 Euarln i
greeting from them. but when, shey;
found that 7 had i good supply ST to-:
basso they swaraaais u dsip to IND sousssdias3
ersbly The men I sas sroundd I and
Eehswed and smoked unsif neatly mid:
might: j was NOT moles tsd1 i, ana nc nlaixt i
morning Irode auayi from; / ZIG th damp ami AZ, f
the ouslaws :unharMed. & I, ts,
/. mot long a9tsr Rve of ssths Wills;
brothers showed up 5at old man u lI,o.' l,,,.i
mans, on tho Colorado River. :Ther
we're captured s 81 shs.. \ plsse \ ana
brought; backs 20: Austia. ! Thsy gr,era,
tplaoed Ia ina guard q hsaass. IL hsfesaadI 1 81 @
vent around % have a Hook as als ! \ kaha,,1n.s
.$s5 They quickly rssss % sniised saas sani
told, ma that they had intend dcd KIN
,ihs me: while is VA at tAsirssa sanlp tiit,s iir
.shs; cedar bsak bas sthas i srssssii
them g well 80, tobaacas ttat thsy,9 9sslss ,s
aided tot LET no % ofs & LhsY shsia sbeannss 4
Soas pf tobscoos for sys5ssl $weeks atsd
their cravings ~. q Hss Nh g aii.oas ~
iaIbearabfs, they said i relieved
their sulferipg 10 That parsiaal ar, i, teta..s m {.
5porati.y; at least 555and Is 4 thssIyS ahsMea$
1 thsiF sfsti.sa & ,aat sp.sins ny