St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-05-14

Capt. Bill seized one of the and
called to the other to halt The man de-
tanned made an attempt to strike his cap
tor, who promptly bent his gun his
head-mildly at first, then with force, bring
ing the offender to his knees. The Ranger
captain now pulled the bell cord brought the
train to n standstl turned his prisoner
over to a policeman who had appeared on
the scene and set out in pursuit of the other
thief, who by this time had obtained healthy
start.
Capt. Bill is built like a greyhound,
with long hind legs, and prov de-
signed for splitting the wind The thief
was active, and making good time,
but he match for a Ranger
of that architecture. The distance be-
tween them closed up rapidly, and presently
the fugitive, having reached what is known as
"Niggertown," divsd into one of the houses
causing regular stampede among the inhabi
tants. Men, woraen, and rabble of little pick
aninnes fell out In every direction. Capt. Bill,
now close behind, added to the excitement as
he plunged in only to find the room vacant. A
quilt, however hung across second doorway,
and stepping over to 1T, his six-shooter ready
for emergency, he drew the hanging quickly
aside. AS he did so, he confronted by
man standing on a chair, holding In his hand
bottle filled with some transparent liquid,
which he was in the act of throwing. The
crack of McDonald's revolver was followed by
such sudden collapse of the would-be vitriol-
thrower that the Ranger captain thought he
had wounded him seriously, though his inten
tfon had been merely to disable the in
action. Investigation showed, however, that
the thief was only frightened; that the ball had
grazed his arm, also his ear, cutting a hole
through the rim of his hat
Securing the vitriol as evidence, Capt Bill
marched his man back to where he had left
thief Number One, only to find that the mex
perienced policeman had allowed him to es-
cape. He did not trust him with his second
capture, but personally saw him safely locked
up and then set out for home by the next
train.
Not long after, package arrived one day in
Amarillo, and upon being opened, 1t was found
to contain handsome gold medal contributed
by a prominent jeweler and others of Fort
Worth.
This decoration was engraved with Capt
McDonayd's name and official title; and an &C
'companying letter stated that 1t was awarded
as token of appreciation of his efforts In
bringing criminals to justice, and as a pre-
MUM for his superior swiftness of foot.
It was during the Panhandle period that
Charles A. Culberson-son of the Dave Gull
berson who nearly 80 years before had cleared
the boy Bill Jess Mcdonald, from charge OF
treason-was attorney general for the state OF
Texas. Capt Bill was at Quanah, one day, when
ne received notice from Culberson that the lat
ter was anxious to locate the Tooth meridian,
preliminary to beginning suit against the
United States to test the claim MADE by
Texas for Greer county-now a portion OF
Oklahoma The attorney general invited Capt.
Bill 20 accompany him guide and body
guard knowing him to be familiar with the
district and capable of taking care of such an
expedition.
They left the railroad at Vernon, Wibarger
county, proceeded in blackboard to Doan's
Store on the Red river, and crossed over into
Greer county. 1t was pleasant drive across
the praires and Capt. Bill, who felt IN good
practice, begued the time by bringing down
nratrie-dogs, running rabbits sailing hawks and
The like using his sixshooter with one hand
and his Winchester with the other, riding along
as they were, without stopping. To Culberson,
this performance was amazing enough
"Captain," he said, that beats anything l
ever saw Why, believe you could throw
nickel ND in the air and hit it before 1t touched
the ground"
Mcdonald smiled in his quiet way.
"Do YOU think so?" he said. Well reckon
might. but wouldn't want to waste nickel
that way.
Capt Bill then gave few exhibitions OF
what he really could do in the way of shoot
ing. and Culberson declared without hesita-
man in the state of Texas The attorney gen
oral was enjoying himself immensely
They camped that night, and next morning
were continuing their journey toward Mangum.
the county seat of Greer when they began to
meet men and women on horseback, evidently
Getting out of that section of the country with
ont much waste of time. Capt. Bill inquired
the reason of this exodus and was told cow
nov had killed an Indian over on the North
Fork of the Red, and that the Indians we're
getting on their war-paint, preparatory to ma
king a raid-Comanches and Kiowas
general" said Capt. Bill, "Pll have to look
into this thing. You can go on to Mangum
with the team and I'll get a horse and go
over and take a hand in this trouble
"Not at ALL said Culberson. You've under
taken to see me through this trip and I'na not
going to let you desert, now, Indians or no In
dams"
"Rut I've got to, general. This here's
a Measure trip, and that's business. Them
devils are goin' to start something over there
and it's my duty as Ranger to investigate it,
Culberson laughed.
Now, captain he said, you know very well
that all you want is to get there where
there's chance to give shooting exhibition.
You've got tired of hawks and prairjA-dogs and
want to try your hand on Indians
A new arrival just then furnished the infor-
nation that the offending cowboy had been
Jailed at Mangum, and that the Indians were
likely to storm the Jail. This settled the mat
ter for Ranger duty and inclination now lay
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