The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1916-06-02
CHUM TELLS HOW
ASHURST, COWBOY,
ROSET0 SENATOR.

Boyhood Friend Narrates Exciting
Career of Arizona Man. Entered
Legislature at Fl and Made Debut
as Orator for Bryan. Once Sold
Ribbons.
(By c. Nick Stark, boyhood com
panion of Arizona's young reSenator
and now an actor.)
One night in December, about TWEEN
ty-two years ago, young man
emerged from a box-car at Flagstaff,
Ariz. He was travel-worn, peniless,
hungry and possibly a bit dry. In one
of his pockets he carried stick and
a rule. the tools of trade of the itin-
Grant compositor of that period.
California was the objective point
of this side-door Pullman tourist, and
he had made arrangements with the
'brakies'' for transportation to the
next division point on the Santa Fe;
but the night was bitterly cold, and
the wind whistled dolefully through
the great pines of the Coconino for
est.
Through the veil of the pelting
snow, driving hard from the San
Francisco peaks, lights twinkled mer-
rily from the main stem" of the Sky
light City. The wall of woman
warbler and discordant notes from an
overworked piano blended weirdly
with Natures turbulent voice. The
momentary spell that his surround
ings cast over the young man was
broken when the odor Of fried onions
and suculent chops was borne to his
nostrils, for, though he had the soul
of a poet, he possessed the appetite
of printer with passion for onions.
Material things, such as the smell
of frying onions, have had, no doubt,
much to do with fates of men. Any
way the genus Album that caused the
tourist, who may as well be identified
as the writer of this narrative, to
sacrifice the four bits he had paid
the "brakies'' for transportation and
to guide his vagrant footsteps toward
Sheriff Sandy Donahue's all-night
temple of joy and tears.
An Impressive Sight for the Tender
foot
It was an impressive sight for the
tenderfoot. Indians, Mexicans, Chi
nese, cowboys, merchants and giant
lumberjacks from the pine woods, all
were there, gambling, drinking and
swearing a little when the occasion
offered. Painted women in short
skirts sang doubtful dities to the &C.
compartment of piano of uncertain
age. Derelicts we're there, and, re-
mittance men and men who were
under cover because of some indis-
erection back East"
| Standing near the faro table, over
which "Old Dad" Gregg presided with
dignity and skill for many years, was
a tall, thin youth, about eighteen
years old. He seemed to be more of
an observer than participant in the
interesting scene. Something about
this young man caused me to look
twice. On my second glance he
caught my eye, gave me a sweeping
bow, and coming toward me, extend
ed his hand in a warm clasp of greet
ing.
Glad to see you, stranger" he said;
will you have something's"
I'D Like to have an onion l re-
piled; 81 smelled them as 1 alighted
from my special car just now"
liked this STRIPPING from the start.
There was something big and in
tensely human in the eyes of him as
he gave me that unexpected greeting
of welcome. He didn't insist upon
my indulgence in the distilled Dam
nation that was passed over Sandy
bar He didn't need to insist. l got
my onion, too, and after while when
1 became we'll enough acquainted to
betray a confidence, he sat me behind
as tender a piece of porterhouse as
was ever cut from cow of the
II @4@ AC
talked of his life as cowboy and
sheepherder, and displayed an amaz
ing knowledge of public affairs.
How Texas Lii" Went to Her End
Suddenly above the din of the piano
and the raucous vocaliBm of a singer
arose the voices of men. Curses and
blows, the crack and flash of six
shooter, the despairing cry of g
woman, and then the menacing shouts
of a blood-mad mob, as the motley
horde bore down upon the shoter.
At the first sound Of trouble my
young benefactor sprang into action.
Revolver in hand, he planted himsel
between the murderer and the ven
geance-seeking crowd.
I'll drop the first man that inter
feres," he said, quietly but deter
minedly.
Then with his free hand, he slipped
handcuff upon the wrist of the muir
derer and backed out into the storm
and on to the county jail. They Iait
the poor, wasted body of Texas Lii
once the flower of the range, in col
ner of the barroom, against the al
rival of the coroner. She had beef
the victim of a jealous 'ttinhorn's
rage.
who is the kid that made the al
rest?" inquired of one of the bal
keeps.
ooh, that's Harry Ashurst,th turn
key" he replied.
Soon after locking up his prisone
he returned to the saloon to gathe
evidence in regard to the shooting.
After a while he turned to me an
said, Come on, stranger"
"Where?" l asked with a trace @
suspicion, realizing that 1 had III
Willingly confessed to an officer G
/ h. L., - 49,