River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-04-28


the same moment the two
toughs started to leap from the car steps.
Capt Bill seized one of the and
called to the other to halt. The de-
tanned made an attempt to strike his cap
tor, who promptly bent" his gun over 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 a standstill, 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 a PROV de-
signed for splitting the wind. The thief
was active, and making good time,
but he was no 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," dived into one Of the houses
causing regular stampede among the inhabi
tants. Men, women, and a rabble of little pick
aninnies fell out In every direction. Capt Bill
close behind added to the excitement as
ne plunged In, only to find the room vacant.
quilt, however, hung across a second doorway,
and stepping over to it, his sixshooter ready
for emergency, he drew the hanging quickly
aside. AS be did so, he was confronted by
a bottle filled with some transparent liquid,
which he in the act of throwing. The
crack of McDonald's revolver was followed by
such a sudden collapse of the would-be vitriol-
thrower, that the Ranger captain thought he
had wounded him seriously though his inten-
ton had been merely to disable the arm 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.
McDonald's name and official title; and an &C
companying letter stated that it was awarded
as a token of appreciation of his efforts in
bringing criminals to justice, and 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
he received notice from Culberson that the lat
ter was anxious to locate the Tooth meridian,
preliminary to beginning a 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 to accompany him as 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, Willbarger
county, proceeded in blackboard to Doan's
Store on the Red river, and crossed over into
Greer county. 1t pleasant drive across
the prairies and Capt. Bill, who felt in good
practice. beguiled the time by bringing down
prairie-dogs, running rabbits, sailing hawks and
the like using his six-shooter 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 I
ever saw Why, l believe you could throw
nickel up in the air and hit it before 1t touched
the ground"
Mcdonald smiled in his quiet way.
..Do YOU think so?" he said. well, 1 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-
ton that there was not such another marks
man in the state of Texas. The attorney gen.
eral 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
out much waste Of time. Capt. Bill inquired
the reason of this exodus and was told a COW
boy had killed an Indian over on the North
Fork of the Red and that the Indians were
getting on their war-paint, preparatory to ma
king a raid-Comanches and Kiowas.
General" said Capt Bill, I'll have to look
into this thing. You can go on to Mangum
with the team and I'll get me a horse and go
over and take hand in this trouble"
mot at ALL" said Culberson. you've under
taken to see me through this trip and I'm not
going to let you desert, now, Indians or no In
dams"
But I've got to, general This here's
a pleasure 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 over there where
there's a chance to give shooting exhibition.
You've got tired of hawks and prairie-dogs and
want to try your hand on Indians"
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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