The Elbert County tribune., 1910-04-29

But Capt. Bill was game He was a .broth
er-in-law to the church," as he said-his wife
peins member-and the following Sunday he
put on the silk hat and accompanied her to
meeting ~
Iheir seat was up near the front, only a step
from the pulpit-a good thing for the minister.
otherwfse nobody would have looked in his
direction. AS 1t was, all eyes were aimed to-
ward Capt Bill and his hat. The congregation
nau seen him come in with 1t in his hand and
they could still observe the wonder for n
would not do to put SO fine piece of property
on the noor while to set 1t topplng on his lap
would be to court disaster. 1t seemed neces-
sary therefore to hold it in his hand raised a
niue, and at distance from his body. In order
tnat by no chance movement the marvellous
gloss Of 1t should be marred The people of
Quanah who attended church that day were
glad to be there. They are still glad They do
not remember the sermon they heard but they
90 remember that hat. Even the minister wan
dered from his text in his contemplation of
the splendid exhibition. Those of Quanah who
remained away from service on that memoir
able Sunday have never entirely recovered
from their regret. For 1t was their only op-
portunity ever to see Capt. Bill in plug hat
When services were over the congregation
crowded about for view. COWBOYS
stood up on the backs of the pews to look over
the shoulders of those in front of them Home
sick women who remembered such things back
east shed tears. Many wanted to touch the
precious thing-to stroke its siIken surface,
and among these were little children who In.
sisted on rubbing the fur the wrong way
Capt. Bill got out at last and headed for
home, <Once there. the gift of the attorney
general was reverently damned and laid away
Somewhere in secret stronghold, deep buried
from mortal eye. It exists to this hour
Culberson became governor In the course Of
time, and, remembering Capt Bills peculiar
talents. was wont to rely upon him for special
work in any portion of the state where nerve,
determination and prompt, accurate marksman-
ship were likely to be Of value.
During February. 1896. national sporting
event-a ring contest between Bob Fitzsim-
mons and Pete Maher-was advertised to take
place at Ell Paso. busy city dropped down on
the extreme western point of the Texas des-
ert on the banks of the Rio Grande. Gov. Gull
berson. speaking for himself as well as for the
better class of citizens in his state announced
that, so long as he was in Office Texas would
not go on record as a prize-ighting common
wealth. and that the fight would not take place
Whereupon there came a crisis. Certain in
terested citizens OF Ell Paso had made up a
purse of $4,000 to bring this event to the
Paris OF Texas" and these and their friends
were filled with Indignation. Dan Stuart, prom
fnent In Texas sporting matters and promo
ter of this particular event, issued a proclama-
tion which bore not only the announcement
that the fight would take place as advertised,
but picture OF Dan himself Also, It was de-
clared that there was no law in Texas which
would prevent prizefghting and the prepara-
tfons for this particular event continued
Thereupon Gov. Culberson promptly called a
special session Of the legislature to pass a law
which would be effective. and Adjt. Gen Ma
bry ordered the State Ranger Service to as
semble at Ell Paso to that this law was en-
forced-it having been widely reported that
Bat Masterson with hundred fighting men
would be present to that fight come on
Then. when 1t was rumored that the contest