Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-31
The governor mounted chair and

n Gentlemen, a miscarriage Of justice
seems imminent. Two OF our commit
tee have refused to act. and as chair
man Of the recent meeting will mp
point IN their places Big Mike and Mir.
Jones of Australia" M.
II seem to be involved in some tra,,-
ble,' smiled the traveller. What is 1t
all about?"
"Why, these men say you held thor,
up and took their grub interposel
Barton. "They called miners meet
the post and run you, out Of camp.
That's ALL"
1.-THE inherent gravity, of the crime
renders severe example necessary"
broke III the governor. SIS it the will
Of the meeting that the committee act
at once?"
"You bet! Yes! Yes" answered
many voices.
'tHold on!'' said Captain. Wont
ycu allow man to speak in his own
behalf?"
There amt nothing to say" cried
Thomas nervously. "IIc stuck us up
and took our grub that we'd hauled
300 miles. and he gave it to lot Of
Siwashes. Didn't YEP
To Matka's questioning eyes the cir,
cle of stubborn faces BODIED trouble.
He looscd his knife in it's sheath and.
taking his place beside Captain. watch.
ed with wary glances for hostile sign.
Eyes, held you up" said Captain.
"But was starving. and you refused
me grub
Don't We believe him" loudly ex-
claimed Buckhurst, while murmur Of
disbelief sounded from the crowd. HE
just walked in on us and took IT.
"You lie!" Captains voice was soft,
but at the words the crowd. dividing,
scrambled hastily toward the walls.
ont of range, leaving the two men who
had come to issue facing each other.
Buckhurst, perspir1ng violently. lick
ed his lips, while his rowing eyes gleam-
ed appealingly toward the men pressed
against the wall.
After a pregnant moment Of suspense
Jones whispered wonderingly:
Looks like he's goin' to swallow it,"
The blazing head Of the bartender
cautiously reappeared over the bar,
while the governor tactfully cleared
his throat and began:
"Sir, don't let lis descend to personal
tiles. You have admitted that you rob-
bed these men at the point Of gun.
That admission would seem to suffice.
You can't really expect us to believe
that these gentlemen refused food to
a hungry 'musher.' Such thing is
unheard Of in this country and does
your ingenuity no credit"
"Sure! That don't 60" scoffed q
bearded bystander. II reckon you've
about had your little say" s
"Well, I haven't had my little say"
gently murmured the accused man.
"and I'd advise your committee not to
get busy until l STOP" His long fin
gers toyed with the belt fringe near
his revolver. II want you to hear the
truth of this matter"
II don't see why we'd ought to take
your word any more than these other
fellers." said the former speaker. "Who
are ye, anyhow"
Hes Charlie Captain" cried Brocky
Dick, "squarest man on the Yukonw
ION the All American team four
years." vaguely added Barton. "You
Dawson men remember the rescue of
the Porcupine party, don't your"
A murmur Of surprise greeted the
remark, and bystanders looked curl
ously at the hero Of many wintry
tales. who in respectful silence brief
~ told Of his meeting with Buckhurst
and Thomas at the village.
There's not an old timer in the
country who doesn't owe his life to
Indians" Captain concluded. "They
once dragged me raving mad from a
raft on the Tanana and fed me when
their babies went hungry. Another
time they found me snow blind and
frozen on the ice pack, then nursed me
back to life and saved my hands and
feet They've done the same or more
for some of you, dare say"
That's rightr' echoed voice in the
rear Of the room.
"Chief Joe gave these men his hos.
pitality, all he had, and they robbed
his hungry squaws. That man yonder
crushed the fingers Of little starving
baby who snatched crust from him.
They refused to sell their grub to me,
and I took what 7 wanted. gave
most Of it to the Indians. That's the
truth Of the matter. Now go ahead
with your whipping
No man doubted the words Of this
clear eyed stranger, whose name had
run from Skagway to the straits and
from Katmai to the arctic.
A yellow Mackinaw cleaned above
the crowd while the voice of Big Mike
roared: Meeting will come to order.
Governor, you're chairman! Now l
move that the committee transfers Its
affectionate attention to them two
skunks yonder." And he stretched a
huge, pistoD-like arm toward the pair
who had aired their grievances earlier
in the day Buckhurst and Thomas
encountered a barrier of threatening
looks which forever shut them out
from Faro mountain.
"Second the motionw cried the camp
with one voice.
Carried shouted Mike. who still
retained his footing on the chair. Then,
drowning the protests Of the governor.
who tugged vainly at his jaundiced
coattail, he continued:
'.As the governor says. we're goin' to
protect law and order here durin' the
bloomin' growth of our buddin' camp
and we amt got room for fellers like