The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-12-28

A Sheriff Who Was as Brave as
Ee Was Tender Hearted.
HOW He COLLECTED A DEBT.

The Man Who Owed the Money Wa.
Well Able to Pay, and the Grim, De-
termined Old Sheriff Made Him Real
ize That IL Yves Time 20 Pay.
There is a spot in the memory OF
Greene county. Pa. sacred TO Jim Cos
gray, one time sheriff. whose heart
was as tender as his courage was stout
As he came down the steps Of the
courthouse one day in Waynesburg
white haired old man near az hand
who had been waiting for him fired at
him three times from revolver. Cos
gray quickly walked over TO him. took
his gun away ard said:
"Now, look here. daddy, if you do
that again I'll prosecute you"
II had fallen to Cosgray in the line
of duty to serve an execution on the
old man. who. worried 10y financial diff
ficulties. had got lopsided mentally and
conceived the idea that Cosgray was
personally responsible for his troubles
The late Judge 4. L. Wilson Of Union
town was at that time holding court In
W ~ AANSbuA anu AlhAA " AAAAGcGNL AA4G
shooting from the window of his hotel
Many others had seen it too.
"Now." remarked the judge TO his
stenOgrapher. L. L. Minor, at his side.
when that shooting comes up for in
vestigation in court we'll learn how
many different stories the witnesses
Will tell about it."
The Judge knew from long expert
ence how many viewpoints there are to
such episodes, but this case never came
up TO trial.
In 1876 Greene county man who
had become bankrupt-at least to the
extent of inability or unwillingness to
pay his debts in Greene county-went
to Philadelphia, where he secured
valuable concession in connection with
the Centennial exposition. Reports
were brought back to Waynesburg dur
ing the summer by visitors that he
was making barrels of money. Cos
gray listened with much interest, but
without comment, TO all these stories.
because this man had left Greene coun-
| ty owing him $1,000. Finally Cosgray
one day packed his grip and left town.
| Next day he turned up in Philadelphia
at the hotel where his prosperous debt
quest to the latter's room. His recep-
ton was noisily hilarious.
"Why, hello. jim! Glad to see you,
old boy. What in the world brings you
TO the city," He shook Jim's hand
with every external appearance OF
great Joy. But the sentiment was all
one way.
Il come TO git that $1,000 ye owe
me- Jim's eyes reflected no feelings
Of esteem. He was simply out for his
stuff.
Sorry. Jim, very sorry, indeed l am,
but haven't got 1t and therefore can't
pay ye | would IL could"
"Well. rather guess yell have to git
IL somehow or other. came here
from waynesburg especially fer what
We owe me. and I'm not goin' back
without it,
Cosgray got up. walked to the door
locked it and put the key In his pocket
Then he said:
Its just this way. my friend
waynesburg people have been coming
home from Philadelphia all summer
telling how much money you've beer
maxim here, and think they've beer
tellin' the truth. for I've been very
careful in my inquiries about you
Now, want that money"
Here he took revolver from hi
pocket and ominously tapped on TIT
table with the muzZle
I'm an old man, with but q few
more years TO live, and I'm not bi
partickler whether | live 'em at all o.
not. That $1,000 II make 'em pass {
sight easier | don't intend to liv'
without the money, and don't inten'
you shall live with it,"
The man knew Cosgray meant ever.
word he said. He fenced and fumed
threatened and sputtered. but there sa
the silent. grim old ex-sheriff. gun i
hand. ready to touch ii off any instant
His determination never wavered. II
was man of few words, and the out
come was exactly as he had resolved
should be- The man went TO a corne
Of his room, opened satchel an
counted out 5000 to Cosgray. TIL
sheriff returned 10 Waynesburg an
put ii in the bank. and no one eve
knew how he came by it until the vic
tim himself finally disburdened hi
heart of its weight Of woe.-Uniontow
Cor. Pittsburg Gazette-Times.