Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-03-04
Way in Which Big Buffer From
New York Didn't Bluff a
Mexican Outlaw.
BY c. q. LEWIS.

Other man. One day Jose appeared
at the mine He walked straight to
the superintendent Office. and don-
ing his hat. said:
Senior Barnes. l beg of you to ex-
cuse me. Ny name is Jose Favara- /
should have called on you weeks ago,
but have been busy in other directions.
am now here to do business with
you"
We'll. what is your business?" que
ried the superintendent, although he
had pretty fair idea of it.
ITO arrange to draw my monthly
salary, senior"
For performing what services?"
For leaving your mines in peace"
I'm other words you mean to levy
tribute on us?"
The senior hits the nail on the
head at the first blow. Ny terms arc
5000 per month in cash. l shall call
for it myself. If accepted, you will
be under my protection. II not"
you will make trouble for us?"
"The Senior Barnes hits the nail
again. like to do business with an
Americana"
Jose Favara was told that he would
have to wait few days until his
proposition could be submitted to the
president and board of directors in
New York. He was agreeable. He
went away bowling and smiling, and
Mr.. Barnes sat down and wrote let
ter.
The proposition was extortion pure
and simple. The authorities could
be appealed to, and would doubtless do
something. Nevertheless, the fact re-
manned that Jose was a bigger man
in that district than the authorities.
He could harry and harass. He could
scare every peon out OF the mine in
two weeks. He could capture every
mule and driver engaged in transport
ing ore over the mountains. He could
do lots of things to make the situation
unpleasant and the superintendent
recommended that a monthly salary
be paid. He added that $500 per
month was dog cheap.
The president and his board looked
upon it as a rather funny case, but
followed the advice Of Mr.. Barnes.
From that time on. for two years,
Jose Favara regularly appeared on
the 10th of each month and received
his "sal.ry." Twice during that time
the poems would have struck for high
er wages had he not appeared and
threatened them with his vengeance
A Mexican lawyer discovered what he
thought was d flaw in the title of the
New Yorker" and would have made
cost and trouble had not Jose sent him
word that he was after his scalp. 1t
was conceded that the outlaw earned
his wage.
Things were going on satisfactorily
when the old president died and Mr..
Goldsmith was elected in his place.
While the dividends were large, Mr..
Goldsmith wanted to increase them.
He saw q way to do 1t Ly looping off
and cutting down. A cut of ten per
cent. was made in wages and salaries.
and the 5000 per month to Jose Fa-
vara was cut off entirely.
When Mr., Barnes wrote that this
would bring trouble, he was directed
to arm his staff and fight. When he
asked for rifles, a dozen old con-
demned Springfield muskets were sent
him, but not a single cartridge. He
wrote for cart; dyes. but was an
swered that the president would soon
take a trip to Mexico in his private
car and give further instructions in
person. AS a clothier. Mr.. Gold
smith had been known as a hustler.
As president of a silver mine he de-
termined to be hummer.
Jose Favara called, as usual. on the
10th of a certain month, to be told
that his salary was nix. He had been
discharged Mr.. Barnes entered into
particulars with him. even to stating
the probable date of the arrival of the
president. Jose was impassive and
impurturbable. He smiled the same
old smiles and bowed the same old
bows. He knew he had earned his
money, but if he was sore, he gave no
sign of it. He went away saying that
he might call again and things went
on as usual for three weeks.
Then president Goldsmith arrived.
1t was 20 miles over TO the railroad.
and he had to make this distance on
the back OF burro, but he made 1t.
He arrived at the mines at three
o'clock in the afternoon. At six the
poems came up from the shaft and an
nounced that there was a strike.
There were 400 Of them. Next morn
ing Jose Favara appeared. He want.
TO know If his salary was to be re-
stored
President Goldsmith fattered him.
self that he was a fighter. II not an
actual fighter, he was a good buffer.
He had been blufTng for 30 years. and
had the art down pat. The miners
might strike. and be hanged to them.
They might be out for a week, but
they would then be tumbling over
each other to get back AS for Jose
Favara. he was an outlaw black
mailer-an extortioner Not another
cent should he draw from TIE treas
ury. II he made one little move
against the peace and harmony of the
New Yorker the majesty OF the law
would be invoked and he you'd find
Himself behind prison bars. He was
talked to in the plainest English Mr.
Goldsmith talked in a loud voice. He
conveyed the idea that he owned the
earth Wbau he hoA 4frad hfr,ccfF