Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-09-20
"SHOOTING UP" THE TOWN.
Drunken Cowboy Pays For
Excitement With His Life

Rivers, New Mexico, in the 'nineties,
l thought that l had selected nice
quiet little place. but L very soon
found out that it had the well-merltei
reputation Of being one OF the most
lawless spots in the far west. This
was in spite of its small size, for even
i'm this out of the-way region its pre-
tensions to rank as a town were or
the slightest Nine small buildings,
in fact, comprised the entire village,
including, of course, the inevitable
drinking saloon, where the consump-
ton of large quantities of raw spirit
otherwise "tangle-foot pc
riodically, in outbursts of rioting and
gun play" that kept the peacefully
inclined citizens in perpetual state
Of uneasiness. Seven Rivers lies right
I'm the heart of a collaborating coun-
try. without another settlement Tor
twenty-five miles, and was, therefore,
at all times likely to be raided by
cowboys from the neighbortng
ranches seeking a little excitement.
And cowboy loaded up with liquor
can always be relied on to make things
a 1rife too exciting for most people.
WHAT with the cowboys, the wander
ing cattle "rustlers," and horse
thieves always to be found hanging
round the frontier town and ranches,
there was no need to go far to look
for trouble.
l had not been long in Seven Riv-
ers before 1 had a practical illustra-
ton of the utter recklessness of the
cowboy when whisky has got the bet
ter of him. A number of them had
camped near the river, and in the
afternoon they all trooped into the
town. Swarming into the saloon, they
at once started drinks round" con-
tinuing the process until they were
all in a pretty lively state. The NOV
ing spirit was a cowboy named Jeft
Kent, who was we'll known in Seven
Rivers. and who suddenly brought
matters to a head by drawing re-
volver and firing six shots in rapid
succession through the ceiling. Some
of the men in the saloon, seeing that
there was likely to be trouble, quietly
slipped out of the place, while those
who remained endeavored to per-
suade Kent to stop drinking. His
answer was to demand another go
of whisky from the saloonkeeper,
who dared not refuse him. Gulping
it down, he lurched through the door
and proceeded to "shoot up the town.
At this interesting stage of the pro-
ceedings l happened to be crossing
over to the postoffice, just opposite,
when Jeff Kent made his appearance,
revolver in hand.
Bang went his six-shooter and
bullet kicked up the dust close to my
heels. Needless to say, did not stop
to argue with him, but quickly took
refuge in the postoffice while jeff
started off round town, firing at every
body he met. I do not think he
meant to hit any one, but only to
frighten them, and his bullets went
so close that he certainly succeeded
most effectively in doing so. 1t would
have gone hard. however, with any
man he came across against whom he
had a grudge.
was sorry to see Jeff Kent break
ing out in this way, for he was quite
a nice fellow when in normal condi-
ton. He was a fine, tall, cookbook
ing man, and quite a favorite with
the girls at the dances that were oc-
casionally given at the neighboring
ranches. In fact, there was one to be
held that very evening about three
miles out, to which he had been in
vited. Few men could draw six
shooter quicker than jeff Kent, and
as it took very little to provoke him
he was looked upon as a dangerous
customer. One or two of his esca-
pades had already brought him under
the notice of the sheriff of the county
who, it was we'll known, was only
waiting a favorable opportunity to
teach him a lesson.
Keeping up a terrific fusillade Jeff
soon had the whole place cleared Of
people, for the news at once went
round that he was up to his old tricks
again and there was danger in the
air.
When there was nobody left to
serve as a target the cowboy returned
to the saloon, where, to the alarm of
the helpless proprietor, he continued
to drink. only one other man. a
friend of Kent. remaining in the
place.
A little while afterward, looking out
of the postoffice door, I saw him, to
my horror, coming straight across the
road, pistol in hand.
Look out: here he cOmes!" l cried
to P, the postmaster and at the same
time l slowed as much of my per-
son as I could behind some boxes.
Jeff staggered in. an evil look on his
face. and, in n voice that clearly
showed that he would take no re-
fusal. demanded "a box of cartridges
for my AS Colt, and lively about it.
old 'un, for I'm in a mighty hurry.
He emphasized his remark with a
flourish of his weapon.
p. knew his man. and very prompt
" went behind the counter, ostensi-
bly, looking for the caliber Kent had
ordered.
afraid I amt got any that size,
jeff" he remarked. and then. in re-
spOnse to a volley of oaths, he
searched again. and finally handed
over box. with which the cowboy
returned To the saloon with evident
satisfaction.
After he had gone p. turned to me
with a grin. I've given him a size
smaller" he remarked, so they
won't do much damage, but he's too
far gone to notice the difference.
1t was now quite late in the evening
and. as | was getting hungry, | went
over to a small adobe house where
usually had my meals. The place APP
L Ian Nyh