Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-07

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"Tam'rack, We've Got to Co."
siege. They knew that every trail
thither was picketed. Also, they knew
a better way. This time they had the
color Of the law on their side. The
circuit Judge, through the sheriff.
asked for troops and troops came
Their tents dotted the river bank be
low the Hixon bridge. A detail I'M
der white flag went out after Tama'
rack Spicer The militia captain in
command, who feared neither feudist
nor death, was courteously received.
He had brains, and he assured them
that he acted under orders which
could not be disobeyed. Unless they
surrendered the prisoner, gatling guns
would follow. II necessary they would
be dragged behind OK teams. Many
militiamen might be killed, but fol
each of them the state had another.
II Spicer would surrender, the officer
would guarantee him personal protec
ton, and, if it seemed necessary, a
change OF venue would secure him
trial in another circuit. For hours the
clan deliberated. For the soldiers they
felt no enmity. For the young cap
tain they felt an instructive liking
He was a man.
Old Spicer South. restored to an
echo Of his former robustness by the
call Of action. gave the clans verdict.
"Hit hain't the cote we're skeered
Of. Eff this boy goes ter town he
won't never git into no cote. He'll be
murdered"
The officer held out his hand.
"As man to man." he said, II pledge
you my word that no one shall take
him except by process of law. I'm not
working for the Hollmans or the Pur-
vys. know their breed
For space old South looked ir's
the soldiers eyes and the soldier
looked back.
"Ill take yore handshake on thet
bargain said the mountaineer, grave
ly. "Tam'rack," he added, in q voice
Of finality. we've got ter CO."
u0 OkllCSE u0U xuChuS WAkkS A0 oe@ANs
He marched his prisoner into Hixon
at the center Of hollow square, with
muskets at the ready. And yet, as the
boy passed into the courthouse yard.
with soldier rubbing elbows on each
side, a clearly aimed shot sounded
from somewhere. The smokeless pow
der told no tale, and with blue shirts
and army hats circling him, Tamarack
fell and died.
That afternoon one Of HOLMAN 8
henchmen was found lying in the road
with his lifeless face In the water OF
the creek. The next day. as old Spicer
South stood at the door Of his cabin.
q rife barked from the hillside. and he
fell, shot through the left shoulder by
q bullet intended for his heart. All
this while the troops we're helplessly
camped at Hixon. They had power
and inclination to go out and get men.
but there was no man to get.
The Hollmans had used the soldiers
as far as they wished; they had made
them pull the chestnuts out Of the
fire and Tamarack Spicer out Of his
stronghold. They now refused to
swear out additional warrants.
A detail had rushed into Hollman's
store an instant after the shot which
killed Tamarack was fred. Except for
a woman buying card Of buttons and
q fair-haired clerk waiting on her, they
found the building empty.
Back beyond, the hills were impene-
trable. and answered no questions.
Old Spicer South would ten years
ago have put = bandage on his wound
and gone about his business, but now
he tossed under his patchwork quilt,
and Brother Spencer expressed grave
doubts for his recovery. With his
counsel unavailable Vile McCager. by
common consent. assumed something
like the powers Of . regent and took
upon himself the duties to which Sam.
son should have succeeded.
That a HOLMAN should have been
able to elude the pickets and penetrate
the heart Of South territory to Spicer
South's cabin was both astounding and
alarming. The war was on without
question now, and there must be coun'
ell. Vile McCager had sent out . sum
mons for the family heads to meet
that afternoon ct his mill. It was Sat.
urday-"mill day"-and IN accordance
with ancient custom the lanes would
be more travelled than usual.
Those men who came by the wagon
road afforded no unusual spectacle,
for behind each saddle sagged = sack
OF grain. Their faces bore no stamp
Of unwonted excitement, but every
man balanced . rife across his pom.
mel. None the less, their purpose was
grim, and their talk when they had
gathered was TO the point.