Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-08-23

1t looked as IL the only reliable way
of getting rid Of Skinner was to lay
in wait for him and shoot him In the
back. But the parties concerned not
only shrank from an unfair proceed
ing even with an incubus on the town
like Skinner, but knew that to perpe-
trate such n scheme would bring upon
them the contempt of their fellow citl-
Zens.
One of the trio, Gus Harbeson, vol.
unteered to pit himself against Skin
ner. He was to give Skinner cause to
kill him. This looked very unseltish,
very noble, on the part of Harbeson,
but he said that he was intending to
try to get an advantage over his enc
instead Of himself. He didn't say how
he proposed to accomplish this desira-
BILE result, for 1t was not necessary
that he should do 80, and his plans
might leak out.
Harbeson had been considered the
black sheep of his family. He had
run away from home when boy and
entered the service OF telegraph com
pany. From there he had gone to sea.
After two years before the mast he
drifted west In n prairie schooner and
now at twenty-five found himself
miner. Young and strong, he feared
nothing. Besides, he was In love and
had suddenly become sensible Of the
fact that he should do something to
counterfeit his record, that his sweet
heart might be the more inclined to
listen to his suit
Dave Perkins told the girls that a
movement was on foot to eliminate
Skinner, begging them to walt awhile,
and they consented. A week passed,
and Skinner was stlll alive. The
young ladies' resumed their packing.
The citizens who had hoped for much
when they had adopted the plan for
building the church were discouraged.
Skinner seemed to be gathering cour-
age, for he was heard to say that II
he did lay himself liable to the fine he
didn't believe the committee would
dare In his case to attempt Its collec.
ton. This indicated that he had pre-
pared for q desperate fight and that
some OF the committee must be sacri.
feed In order to get rid OF him.
The dependency was at bottom level
when one morning Skinner emerged
from the Empire saloon and, turning
eastward, sauntered down the street.
He literally brlstled with weapons, for
he understood that his fellow towns
men wished to get rid Of him, and he
was resolved that II they did some OF
them must first bite the dust. There
were a number of persons out But
this morning instead OF looking at the
walking fortress they were staring In
the opposite direction Mt Gus Harbe-
son, who few moments after Skin
ner's appearance had emerged from
his own cabin with n very remarkable
hat on his head.
"By gum" exclaimed a citizen, "ef
Harbe hain't got one o. them machines
the hatters In big cities put on mans
head to take his measured
Harbeson walked down the street,
receiving the jeers of the citizens
Skinner looked at him with the rest
and the desperadO's face broke into
grin. As he and Harbeson drew near
together Skinner called out:
what y maxim n guy o. y'sclf that
away forT
who says I'm maxim a guy o. my
selfW retorted Harbeson.
"Y' know y're dom II y'self," re,
piled Skinner bristlinR
you say that againw cried Hnrbe
son angrily
The bystanders began TO get out OF
the way. There was not sign OF n
weapon about Harbeson, but they
knew that II he kept up that kind Of
talk with Skinner bullet would 20
through him and might hurt some one
else
What y mean sassln' me that way"
snarled Skinner, putting his hand to
bis hip.
The band OF HarbesOn's hat was
pierced with little round holes From
one of these holes came pun Of
smoke. Skinner staggered, put his
hand to his hip and got a revolver mid
way between his waist and his chin
when Harbeson inclined his head about
Ave degrees, several simultaneous puffs
and reports followed, and Skinner's
arm was shattered. Harbeson then
turned his head In n horizontal circle.
There were more explosions through
his miniature portfolios, and Skinner
fell dead
BY this time every man, woman and
child In Deadshot was out OF doors 10
learn what was going on. When those
nearest tho scene Of action saw what
had happened they raised joyful
shout, which was taken up by those
who were next and borne on down the
thoroughfare I'll 1t reached the limits
OF the town. Then all crowded around
Harbeson 10 examine the hat fort he
wore on his head He showed them n
battery in the smnll OF his back con
nected by wires with little guns in his
headpiece, while other wires ran down
his arms, ending In circuit keys In his
hands.
Skinner was buried tho same day
and the citizens, after celebrating their
relief from gun rule, held a meeting Mt
which they levied tax on themselves
for funds 10 build the church. The
three lovers and their girls we're mar
ried at n triple wedding, and the name
Of the town was changed from Dead
shot TO Harbeson.
uAnwwo NON ov-