The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-12-02

cattlemen came. before the Indians
had given up this country. and l was
here when the first settlers moved in
and when the soldiers drove them out
was living in the cove with Brick
Wilcox when people came up from
Texas andplanted miles and miles of
wheat, and | used to play with the
rusty pluws and machinery they left
scattered about after the three years
drought had starved them back to their
homes Then Old Man Walker came
to Red River. sent his cowboys to
iff led the bunch. And it was Brick
and myself that stood them off with
our guns. our backs to the wall and
our powder dry, and we never saw
MiZZoo in our cove again. So you see
/ ought to be able to talk to western
men in way they can appreciate. and
If there's anybody here that's not q
western mun-he couldn't understand
our style anyhow-he'd better go where
he's needed. for out west you need
only western men-like Brick Wilcox.
for instance"
At reference to the we'll known incl
dent of Mizzoo's attempt to drive Will
:ock from the cove there was sudden
wave of laughter. none the less hearty
because MizZoo's face had flushed and
his mouth had opened sheepishly. But
ut the recurrence OF Willock's name
the crowd grew serious. They felt the
| Justice of her claim that out west only
western men We're needed: they ex-
clsed her for thinking Brick a model
type. But let any one else hold him
up before them as model!
I.ahoma's manner changed. 1t grew
deeper and more forceful
Men, | want to talk to you about
this case. Will you be the jury? Con-
slider what kind of man swore out that
warrant against Brick-the leader Of a
band Of hishwaymen! And who's his
chief witness? You don't know Mr..
Gledware. | do. You've heard he's a
rich and influential citizen in the east.
That's true. But I'm going to tell you
something to show what he Is. and
what Brick Wilcox is-just one thing
that's all I'll say about the character
OF either AS to Red Kimball. you don't
have to be told. I'm not going to talk
about the general features Of the case
as to whether Brick was ever a high
wayman or not. as to whether he kill
ed Reds brother to save me and my
stepfather. or did it in cold blood: as
to whether he held up the stage or not
These things you've discussed. You've
formed opinions aboct them. want
to tell you something you haven
heard Will you listenT'
At first no one spoke. Then from thu
crowd came measured impartia
voice: I'VE got lots of time"
She was not discouraged by the in
timation in the tone that all her speak
ing was in vain and plunged into th'
midst of her narrative: =
"One evening Brick came on de
serted movers wagon. He'd Travelled
all day with nothing to eat or drink
and he got into the wagon to escap
the blistering sun. In there he foun,
Il dead woman. stretched on her pallet
He had great curiosity to see he
face. so he began lifting the cloth tha
covered her. He saw a pearl and ony
pin at her throat. 1t looked like on
his mother used to wear. So he dror
ped the cloth and never looked at be
face. She had died the evening before
and he knew she wouldn't have wante
any one to see her then. And he du
II grave in the sand. though she wa
nothing to him. and buried her-neve
with Il great pyramid Of stones an
prayed for her little girl was he
little girl The Indians had carried m
away You'll say that was Il littl
thing; that anybody would have bu
led the poor. helpless body. Maybe 81
But about not looking at her face
well. don't know 1t was a litt
thing. of course. but somehow 1t ju:
seems to show that Brick Willoc
wasn't little--had something great
his soul. you know. Seems to sho
that he couldn't have been commo
| murderer. It's something you'll hay
| to feel for yourselves. Nobody cou
| explain it so you'd see If you don't III
| derstand already"
| The men stared at her. somewhat b
| wildered. saying nothing. In SON
| breasts sense of something delicat
| not to be defied,. was stirred.