The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-07-08
A WILD WEST
EPISODE

About 1867 Miss Martha Hildred,
young lady who had recently been
graduated from a normal school In the
east, received an ofrer to go to Denver
10 all the position OF teacher. At that
time the Union Pacific railroad was
building, and trains were running as
far as Laramie. From Laramie the
only public conveyance TO Denver was
by stagecoach.
es OF alkali fields, good deal OF the
way beside the Platte river. which. not
having any trees on its banks, remind
ed her OF a man with no hair or beard.
Miss Hlldred reached Laramie in the
evening. and. since the daily coach did
not leave till the next morning, she
took room In a tavern and went 70
bed. The town had sprung up like u
mushroom In the night, comprising that
kind OF population which can only be
understood by view OF II. Miss Hill
dred was tired and would have slept
soundly had II not been for revelry In
a dance hall close by. zone lady more
your partner Keno were mingled
I'm confusion.
This Introduction 10 western life at
that time was not encouraging but II
more vivid experience was reserved
for the next day. After a sleepless
night the young schoolma'am break
tasted and went out to board the coach
for Denver A man stood nc the door,
only permitting certain persons to en-
ter. On seeing Miss Hildred he stop
ped her and was about TO turn her back
when a man standing near spoke to
him, evidently referring to the young
lady.
"Are you I'm IT." asked the man regu-
lating the entrances.
Miss Hildred, supposing that he
wished to know IL she was going TO
Denver, gave an affirmative nod OF her
head She got into the coach, the door
was shut and the vehicle rolled away.
IL thort," said woman, with a very
coarse voice, that there was to be six
OF us. | see there's seven"
THAT'S not countin' the Kid" said n
man In white cravat which was sup
posed to designate him ms a clergyman,
Mt the same time casting n glance at
Martha.
Three OF the passengers were men
and three were women, the latter all
being strappIng creatures apparently
as strong as the men Miss Hildred
was on the back seat sandwiched be
tween a man and woman.
"Can you use another weepon, kid
dy?" said the woman beside her. |
got one more'n need"
Miss Hildred looked at her blankly,
not understanding what she meant.
ooh, | see. NUNS the word" said
the other and made no further adj
vances
"There are no outsiders today" said
one OF the men, who wore the som
brero, wooden shirt and trousers tuck
ed I'm his boots OF the typical westerner
Of the period.
NO" replied quiet little man, the
only delicate looking person In the
coach "The agent concluded to man
age II with only insiders. He was
afraid that too many would scare 'em
Off"
All this was Greek 60 Miss Hildrcd,
but she was thinking about what she
would find Ia her new field Of labor
and was not paying any attention TO It,.
Suddenly shot rang out ahead.
The coach came TO a stop, the door
was thrown open. and two men stood
facing Il with short guns pointing into
the coach.
step out ladies and gentlemen,
said the man nearest the door.
No one made move 10 do so, but
one OF the women, apparently much
frightened. cried out Don't shoot
me-" and with her arm raised the
muzzle OF the gun held by the man
standing nearest her. Another one Of
the passengers mt the same time shook
Derringer pistol out OF his sleeve and
quick as n flash Of lightning put bull
let into the brain OF the man whose
gun had been knocked up. The quiet
little man covering In a corner sud
denly seemed 20 explode. and the 9th
er road agent. for that Is what the
men without were fell dead.
Miss I,lldrcd nj this point tainted
dead away When she came 10 her.
self she was stretched out beside the
road, while six men stood about her.
The first idea that popped into her
head was as 10 where were the three
women passengers. One OF the men
pulled out flask and tried TO induce
her To take drink, but she refused.
Raising herself on her elbow In an
effort TO get up. she saw two dead men
and tainted again. on coming 10 her
self second time one OF the men cx
claimed:
"How In thunder did you get into
this gang7"
When later the coach rolled into
Denver there was first class story 10
bc told The express company, in or
der 20 entrap n couple OF road agents
,.,hn hal IN faatad fha road parmitfad