davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1916-11-08
Burglars Now In
Brown County Jail
Both Comfrey and Sleepy Eye
Burglars Are Brought Back
to Brown County
TAKEN IN ST. PAUL
Each Places ''Clamp" on Mouth
and Won't Give up Any
Information

The following story taken
from the current issue of the
Brown County story, should be
of interest to Redwood County
people who have been interested
in the recent burglaries at Sleepy
Eye and Comfrey. It is pos
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1916-11-08
as creased lightning.-Brown
County Journal.
LUTHERAN CHURCH
Rev. A. Schaller, Pastor

German services every Sum
day morning at 10:45. German
Sunday School at 1000. Eng
lish services and Holy Commu-
Mon next Sunday at three
o'clock. All who wish to attend
Communion are kindly request
ed to register this Friday.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1916-11-08

Did you ever observe that the
words environment" and cher
edity'' are so often used for
shifting the blame?
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

Duane could not hear what 1t was he
said. The fellow laughed, yet some
how he struck Duane as sullen, until
suddenly he espied Miss Longstreth.
Then his face changed, and he re-
moved his sombrero. Duane went
closer.
"Floyd, did you come with the
teams?" asked Longstreth, sharply.
mot me. I rode horse, good ana
hard" was the reply.
"Hump! I'll have a word to say to
you later" Then Longstreth turned
to his daughter. "Ray, here's the
cousin I've told you about. You used
to play with him ten years ago
Floyd Lawson. Floyd, my daughter
and my niece, Ruth Herbert"
Duane always scrutinized everyone
he met, and now with dangerous
game to play, with consciousness OF
Longstreth's unusual and significant
personality, he bent keen and
searching glance upon this Floyd
Lawson.
He was under thirty, yet gray at his
templeS-dark, SmoOth-snaVen, WIFI
lines left by wildness, dissipation,
shadows under dark eyes, mouth
strong and bitter, and square chin
a reckless, careless, handsome, sinist-
er face strangely losing the hardness
when he smiled. The grace of
gentleman chung round him, seemed
like an echo in his mellow voice.
Duane doubted not that he, like many
a young man, had drifted out to the
frontier, where rough and wild life
had wrought sternly but had not quite
effaced the mark of good family.
Colonel Longstreth apparently did
not share the pleasure Of his daughter
and his niece in the advent Of this
cousin. Something hinged on this
meeting. Duane grew intensely Curl
GUS, but, as the stage appeared ready
for the journey, he had no further op-
portunity to crafty it.
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

Duane passed inside himself to
learn that supper would soon be
ready. At table he found him
self opposite the three who had at
tracted his attention.
Ruth, envy the lucky cowboys, "
Longstreth was saying.
Ruth was a curly-headed girl with
gray or hazel eyes. "Pm crazy to
ride bronchos." she said.
Duane gathered that she was on q
visit to western Texas. The other
girls deep voice, sweet like bell,
made Duane regard her closer. She
did not resemble the Colonel, who
was evidently her father. She looked
tired, quiet, even melancholy. A
finely chiseled oval face, that had
something nervous and delicate about
it which made Duane think of a
thoroughbred, mouth by no means
small, but perfectly curved, and hair
like Jet proclaimed her beauty to
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28
CHAPTER XV.-Continued.

But in striking contrast TO tnlS
mystery was the person, character,
and cold-blooded action Of Poggin and
Knell, the chiefs Heutenants. They
were familiar figures in all the towns
within two hundred miles of Brad
ford. Knell had record, but as gun
man with an incredible list Of victims,
Poggin was supreme. If POggin had
q friend no one ever heard CT him.
There were a hundred stories of his
nerve, his wonderful speed with gun,
his passion for gambling, his love Of
q horse-his cold, implacable, inhu-
man wiping out Of his path any man
that crossed it.
"Chese?dine is name, terrible
name" said Colonel Webb. 'Some-
times I wonder if he's not only a
name. In that case where does the
brains of this gang come from? No;
thera must be a master craftsman
behind this border pillage; master
capable Of handling those terrors,
Poggin and Knell. Of all the thou
sands of outlaws developed by west
ern Texas in the last twenty years
these three are the greatest. In
southern Texas, down between the
Pecos and the Nueces, there have been
and are still many bad men. But l
doubt if any outlaw there, possibly
excepting Buck Duane, ever equaled
Poggin. You've heard Of this Duane|'
eyes, a little" replied Duane quiet
ly. 'Tm from southern TexasS> BUCK
Duane, then, is not known out Aere!'
'sWhy, man, where isn't his name
known?'' returned Colonel Webb.
'I've kept track of his record as l
have all the others. His fame in this
country appears to hang on his match
less gun-play and his enmity toward
outlaw Chiefs"
"Has -Cheseldine's gang been busy
lately?" asked Duane.
mo. Probably all the stock that's
being shipped now was rustled long
ago. Cheseldine works over a wide
section, too wide for news to travel
inside Of weeks. There are some
people who think Cheseldine had
nothing to do with the bank-robberles
and train hold-ups during the last few
years in this country. But that's poor
reasoning. The jobs have been too
well done, too surely covered, to De
the work Of greasers or ordinary OUT
laws1
"What's your view Of the outlook!
How's all this going to wind up!
Will the outlaw ever be driven outT'
asked Duane.
"Never. There will always be out
laws along the Rio Grande. All the
armies in the world couldn't comb
the wild brakes Of that fifteen hun
dred miles of river. But the sway
of the outlaw, such as is enjoyed Dy
these great leaders, will sooner or
later be past. There's talk of V1gi-
lantes, the same that were organized
in California and are now in force
In Idaho. So far it's only talk. But
the time will come. And the days OF
Cheseldine and Poggin are numbered
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28
"Bo Snecker! He Hit Me-"

quiry had brought him the fact that
Ray Longstreth had Just come to live
with her father. LOngstreth hao
originally been Il planter in Louisiana
where his family had remained after
his advent in the West. BE was
rich rancher; he owned half Of Fair
dale; he was cattle-buyer on large
scale. Floyd Lawson was his lieuten'
ant and associate in deals.
On the afternoon Of the fifth day
of Duane's stay in Fairdale he re-
turned to the inn from his usual stroll,
and upon entering was amazed tc
have a rough-looking young fellow
rush by him out Of the door. Inside
Laramie was lying on the floor, with
bloody bruise on his face. He die
not appear to be dangerously hurt.
"Bo Snecker! He hit me and went
after the cash-drawer," said Laramie
laboring to his feet.
"Are you hurt much7" querie@
Duane.
II guess not. But Bo needn't tc
have soaked me. I've been robbed
before without that.
"Well, I'll take q look after b."
replied Duane.
He went out and glanced down the
street toward the center Of the town.
He did not see anyone he could take
for the innkeeper's assailant. Then
he looked up the street, and he saw
the young fellow about block away.
hurrying along and gazing back.
Dune yelled for him to stop ant
started to 60 after him. Sneckef
broke into a run. Then Duane set
out to overhaul him. There we're two
motives in Duane's action-one OF
anger, and the other a desire to make
q friend Of this man Laramie, who
Duane believed could tell him much.
Duane was light on his feet, and
he had giant stride. He gained
rapidly, kept him In sight, In the
shade, on the paths, and up the road
into the courtyard, and ne saw Sneck-
er go straight for Longstreth's house.
Duane was not to be turned back
by that, singular as it was. He en-
tered the first door and burst into the
presence of Miss Longstreth and q
number Of young people. Evidently
she was giving little party.
Lawson stood leaning against ono
Of the pillars; at sight Of Duane hin
face changed remarkably, expressing
amazement, CONSERVATION, then t0A
-s To BE coNTIFUE0a ~~
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28
SYNOPSIS.

The time of the story: about 1875. The
place: Tie Texas cow country. The chief
Character: Buckley Duane, a young man
suppresses. In self-defense he shoots dead
drunken bully and is forced to fee to
the wild country where he joins Bland,s
outlaw band. Euchre, an amiable rascal,
tells him about Jennie, a young. girl who
had been abducted and sold to Bland tor
bad fate. They determine to rescue the
'c Chr '@ has juss reconnoitered. and is re-
porting the outlook to Buck, Euchre Is
Killed. Buck kills Bland and is danger
jcapes with Jennie. Jennie is abducted.
Buck never sees her again. but kills her
abductor. Duane barely escapes death at
er committed. He goes to see Captain
MacNelly of the Rangers. who hands him
q pardon on condition that he join the
Rangers and assist in breaking up the
outlaws. Duane accepts and goes to the
outlaw headquarters on secret mission.
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28
CHAPTER XVI.

Next morning Duane mounted ms
horse and headed for Fairdale. he
rode leisurely, as wanted TO learn
all he could about the country. Inere
were few ranches. The farther ne
travelled the better grazing he en-
countered. and, strange to note, the
fewer herds of cattle. It was just
sunset when he made out q cluster
Of adobe houses that marked Sander
son, halfway between Bradford ana
Fairdale. When he drew up before
tho inn the landlord and his family
and a number Of loungers greeted
him laconically.
"Beat the stage in, hey?" remarked
one.
.eThere she comes now" said an
other. "Joel shore is drivin To-
1lght."
Far down the road Duane saw
cloud of dust and horses and lum-
boring coach. Presently 1t rolled up
a large mud-bespattered and Dusty
vehicle. Uttered with baggage on top
and tied on behind. A number Oh
passengers alighted, three Of whom
excited Duanes interest. One was a
fall. dark, striking-looking man, ana
tho other two were ladies, wearing
long gray listers and wells. Duane
heard the proprietor Of the inn adj
dress the man as Colonel Longstreth,
and as the party entered the inn
Duane's quick ears caught few words
which acquainted him with the fact
TINT Iongstreth was the mayor OF
Fairtiale
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

and stood paralyzed at sight and
sound of the mayor Of Fairdale? This
was not answerable. There might
have been q number of reasons, all
to Colonel Longstreth's credit, Dut
Duane could not understand.
Next morning Duane walked up the
main street and back again. Just as
he arrived some horsemen rode up
to the inn and dismounted. And at
this juncture the Longstreth party
came out. Duane heard Colonel Long
streth utter ar exclamation. Then he
saw him shake hands with tall man.
Longstreth looked surprised ana
angry, and he spoke with force; but
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

"He didn't say" replied the other
"Sure was strappin' big man.
Struck me little odd, he did. No
cattleman, him. How'd you size
him?"
"Well, like one of them cool, easy,
quiet Texans who's been loOkin' for q
man for years-to kill him when he
found him."
fright you are, Laramie; and, be-
tween you an me, I hope he's lookin'
for Long"
"S-sh /" Interrupted Laramie. ''You
must be half drunk, to 60 talkin' that
way"
Thereafter they conversed in too low
a tone for Duane to hear, and presently
Laramie's visitor left. Duane went
inside, and, making himself agreeable,
began to ask casual questions about
Fairdale. Laramie was not commune
cative.
Duane went to his room in .
thoughtful frame of mind. There wal
something wrong about the mayor d
Fairdale. The innkeeper Laramie
would be worth cultivating. Ane
last in Duane's thoughts that night
was Miss Longstreth. He could MOI
help thinking of her-how strangely
the meeting with her had affected
him. 1t made him remember thai
long-past time when girls had beer
part of his life. he had no righ
even to dream of beautiful woman
like Ray Longstreth.
Several days passed. Duane di<
not succeed in getting any closer tt
Laramie, but he found the idlers OF
the corners and in front Of the store
unsuspicious and willing to talk. I
did not take him long to find out tha
Fairdale stood parallel with Hunt1
vile for gambling, drinking, and f1glS
ing. The street was always lined will
dusty, saddled horses, the town full
of strangers. Money appeared more
abundant than in any place Duane
had ever visited; and it was spent
with the abandon that spoke forciblJ
Of easy and. crooked requirement
Duane decided that Sanderson, Brad
ford, and Ord were but notorious out
posts of this Fairdale, which was q
secret center of rustlers and outlaws
And what struck Duane strangest OF
all was the fact that Longstreth was
mayor here and held court daily. In.
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

Duane. When she looked at him,
drawn by his rather persistent gaze,
there was pride, fire, and passion in
her eyes. Duane felt himself blush
ing in confusion.
After supper the guests assembled
in q big sittingroom where an open
fireplace with blazing mesquite sticks
gave out warm and CHEEKY glow.
Duane took a seat by table in the
corner, and, finding a paper, began
to read. Presently when he glanced
up he saw two dark-faced men,
strangers who had not appeared be-
fore. They were peering in from a
doorway. When they saw Duane had
observed them they stepped back out
of sight.
It flashed over Duane that the
strangers acted suspiciously. In Texas
in the seventies it was. always bad
policy to let strangers 60 unheeded.
Then he went out into patio, and
across it to a little dingy, dim-lighted
barroom. Here he found the inn
keeper dispensing drinks to the two
strangers.
"Hev something" one Of them ask
ed, leering. Both looked Duane up
and down.
"No thanks, I don't drink" Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with interest. SLOWS tricks in the
Big Bend?"
Both men stared. It had only taken
close glance for Duane to recognize
a type Of ruf1ian most frequently met
along the river. These strangers had
that stamp, and their surprise proved
he was right. Here the innkeeper
showed signs Of uneasiness, and
seconded the surprise Of his custom
ers. No more was said at the instant,
and the two rather hurriedly went
out
"Say, boss, do you know these fel'
lows?"' Duane asked the innkeeper.
"Nope. They nooned heah, comm
from Bradford they said, an trailed
in after the STAGE"
When Duane returned to the sitting
room Colonel Longstreth was absent,
also several Of the other passengers,
Miss Ruth sat in the chair he had
vacated, and across the table from
her sat Miss Longstreth. Duane went
directly to them.
Excuse me-" said Duane, address
ing them. II want to tell you there
are a couple Of rough-looking men
here. I've just seen them. They
mean evil. Tell your father to be
careful. Lock your doors-bar your
windows tonight"
"Oh!" cried Ruth, very low. Roy
do you hear"
'Thank you; We'll be careful" said
Miss Longstreth, gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. II saw
those men watching you from that
door. They had such bright black
eyes. Is there really danger-hereY'
81 think So" was Duane's reply.
Soft swift steps behind him pre-
coded a harsh voice: "Hands up!"
No man was quicker than Duane to
recognize the intent in those words
His hands shot up. Miss Ruth utter
ed a little frightened cry and sank
into her chair. Miss Longstreth
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28
CHAPTER XVII.

Duane followed the stage through
the town, out into the open, on to a
wide, hard-packed road showing years
Of travel. It headed northwest. 10
the left rose a range Of low, bleak
mountains he had noted yesterday,
and to the right sloped the mesquite
patched sweep of ridge and fiat. The
driver pushed his team to fast trot,
which gait surely covered ground
rapidly.
Early in the afternoon from ridge
top Duane sighted Fairdale, green
patch in the mass Of gray. For the
barrens Of Texas it was indeed fair
sight. But he was more concerned
with it's remoteness from civilization
than its beauty. At that time, in the
early seventies, when the vast western
third of Texas was wilderness, the
pioneer had done wonders to settle
there and establish places like Fair
dale.
It needed only glance for Duane to
pick out Colonel Longstreth's ranch.
The house, not more than few min
utes' walk from the edge Of the town,
was q low flatroofed structure made
Of red adobe bricks. All was green
about 1t, except where the fenced
corral and numerous barns or sheds
showed gray and red.
From all outside appearances Fair
dale was no different from other
frontier towns, and Duane's expecta-
lions were scarcely realized. AS the
afternoon was waning he halted at
a little inn. A boy took charge Of his
horse. Duane questioned the lad
about Fairdale and gradually drew to
the subject most In mind.
Colonel Longstreth has big out
fit, ehT
"Reckon he has," replied the lad.
"Doan know how many cowboys.
They're always comm and goln'. I
amt acquainted with half Of them"
much movement of stock these
daysT"
"Stock's always movin'," he re-
piled, with a queer look.
"Rustlers?"
But he did not follow up that look
with the affirmative Duane expected.
Lively place, I hear-Fairdale ISL"
"Ain't 80 lively as Sanderson, but
it's bigger"
Eyes, heard it was. Fellow down
there was talking about two cowboys
who were arrested"
"Sure. heered all about that.
Joe Bean an Brick Higgins-they be-
long heah, but they amt heah much.
Longstreth's boys"
Duane did not want to be over-in-
quisitive, so he turned the talk into
other channels.
After getting supper Duane strolled
up and down the main street. When
darkness set in he went into hotei'
bought cigars, sat around, and watch
ed. Then he passed out and went
into the next place. It was full OF
men coming and going-a dusty-boot-
ed crowd that smelled Of horses ana
smoke. Duane sat down for a WHILE
with wide eyes and open ears. linen
he hunted up the bar. He stayed III
there for a while, and knew that
strangers were too common in Fair
dale to be conspicuous. Then he
returned to the inn where he had
engaged q room.
Duane sat down on the steps OF
the dingy little restaurant. Two men
were conversing inside, and they had
not noticed Duane.
Laramie, what's the strangers
Manner asked one. 49,, -, ~.
The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-09-28

membered his womenfolk, seemed to
be gentle and kind. He talked sooth-
ingly to Miss Ruth, made light Of the
adventure, said she must learn to
have nerve out here where things
happened. .,
"Can I be Of any service?" asked
Duane, solicitously. A.
''Thanks; I guess there's nothing
you can do. Talk to these frightened
girls while I 60 see what's to be done
with that thick-skulled robber," he
replied, and, telling the girls that
there wss no more danger, he went
out.
Miss Longstreth sat with one hand
holding her torn waist in place; the
other she extended to Duane. He
took it awkwardly, and he felt a
strange thrill.
"You saved my life," she said, In
grave, sweet seriousness.
mo, not! Duane exclaimed. HE
might have struck you, hurt you, but
no more"
ibid you kill him?" asked Miss
Ruth, who lay listening.
ooh, no. He's not badly hurt"
I'm very glad he's alive" said
Miss Longstreth, shuddering.
"Tell me all about it?" asked Miss
Ruth, who was fast recovering.
Rather embarrassed, Duane briefly
told the incident from his point OF
view.
Cousin" said Miss Longstreth,
thoughtfully, ut was fortunate for US
that this gentleman happened to be
here. Papa scouts-laughs at dang
er. He seems to think there was no
danger. Yet he raved after it came"
go with US all the way to Fair
dale-please?" asked Miss Ruth,
sweetly Offering her hand. II am
Ruth Herbert. And this is my cousin
Ray Longstreth."
I'm travelling that way" replied
Duane, in great confusion. He did
not know how to meet the situation.
Colonel Longstreth returned then,
and after bidding Duane good night,
which seemed rather curt by contrast
to the graciousness of the girls, he led
them aWay.
Before going to bed Duane went
outside to take look at the injured
robber and perhaps to ask him few
questions. To Duane's surprise, he
was gone, and so was his horse. The
innkeeper was dumfounded. He said
that he left the fellow on the floor
in the barrOOm.
"Had he come to-" inquired Duane.
"Sure. He asked for whisky"
"Did he say anything else?"
mot to me. heard him talkin' to
the father Of them girls"
"You mean Colonel Longstreth?"
II reckon. He sure was some riled.
wasn't he? Jest as If was to blame
fer that two-bit Of a hold-up!"
"What did you make Of the old
gents rageT" asked Duane, watching
the innkeeper. He scratched his
head obviously. He was sincere, and
Duane believed in his honesty.
oval, I'm doggoned If I know what
to make Of it. But reckon he's
either crazy or got more nerve than
most Texans"
"More nerve, maybe" Duane re-
piled. "Show me a bed now, inn
keeper"
Once in bed in the dark, Duane
composed himself to think over the
events of the evening. Why had
that desperate robber lowered his gun