Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-12-25
DIDN'T FEAR BULLETS
A Sheriff Who Was as Brave as
He Was Tender Hearted.
HOW HE COLLECTED A DEBT.


Well Able to Pay, and the Grim, De-
termined Old Sheriff Made Him Real
IKE That IL Was Time to Pay.
There Is a spot I'm 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 n
white haired old man near at hand
who had been waiting for him fred at
him three times from a revolver. Cos
gray quickly walked over TO him. took
his gun away and said:
Now, look here. daddy, II you do
that again I'll prosecute YOU"
II had fallen TO Cosgray IN the line
OF duty 10 serve an execution on the
Did man. who, worried by financial diff
hculties. had got lopsided mentally and
conceived the idea that Cosgray was
personally responsible for his troubles.
The late Judge A. f. Wilson Of Union
town was at that time holding court In
Waynesburg and had witnessed the
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 wen learn how
many different stories the witnesses
Will tell about it,
The judge knew from long expert
eHce how many viewpoints there are to
such episodes. but this case never came
up to trial
In 1876 n Greene county man who
had become bankrupt-at least 10 the
extent Of inability or unwillingness to
pay his debts in Greene county-went
/ TO Philadelphia. where he secured q
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-
" owing him 5000. Finally Cosgray
one day packed his grip and left town.
Next day he turned up In Philadelphia
at the hotel where his prosperous debt
or was stopping and was shown by re
quest 70 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 5000 ye owe
me" Jim's eyes reflected no feelings
OF esteem. He was simply out FOR bis
stuff.
Sorry, Jim, very sorry. indeed am
but haven't got IT and therefore cam
pay We. l would II 1 could"
well. i rather guess ven have TO xii
II somehow or other came her,
from Waynesburg especially fer wha
ye owe me, and I'm not goin' bach
without It."
Cesgray got up, walked 10 the door
locked it and put the key in his pocket
Then he said:
Its just this way, my friend
Waynesburg people have beer comm,
home from Philadelphia all summe
telling how much money you've beer
maxim here. and think they've bee
: tellin' the truth, for I've been yer.
careful IN my inquiries about you
: Now, 1 want that money"
Here he took revolver from hi
pocket and ominously tapped on III
table with the muzzle.
/ "Tm an Old man, with but 4 fey
! more years TO live. and I'm not bl
partickler whether live 'em 1T all @
not. That 5000 II make 'em pass
sight easier. l don't intend 10 liv
without the money. and 7 don't inpn
{ you shall live with IT."
: The man knew COsgray meant ever
word he said. He fenced and funnel
= threatened and sputtered, but there 81
: the silent. grim old .ex-sherif. gun /
hand. ready TO touch II of any inStan
{. His determination never wavered II
| was a man OF few words. and the on
come was exactly as he had resolved
should be. The man went 10 corne
? OF his room, opened 2 satchel an
, counted out 5000 TO CoSgray. Th
sheriff returned TO Waynesburg an
, put IT In the bank. and no ore eve
knew how he came by It until the Vi,
= tim himself finally diSburdened hi
heart OF its weight of woe.-CniontOw
81.