davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26
SYNOPSIS.

The time of the story: about 1876. The
place: Tile Texas COW country. The chief
character: Buckley Duane, a young man
who has inherited a lust to kill, which he
suppresses. In self-defense he shoots dead
a drunken bully and is forced to flee to
the wild country where he joins BANDS
outlaw band. Euchre, an amiable rascal,
tells him about Jennie, a young girl who
had been abducted and sold to Bland for a
bad fate. They determine to rescue the
girl and restore her to civilization. Eu-
chre has just reconnoitered, and is re-
porting the outlook to Buck. Euchre is
killed. Buck kills Bland and Is danger
ously wounded by Mrs. Bland, but es-
capes with Jennie. Jennie is abducted.
Buck never sees her again. but kills her
abductor. Duane barely escapes death at
the hands of lynchers for a crime he new
err committed. He goes to see Captain
MacNelly of the Rangers, who hands him
a pardon on condition that he join the
Rangers and assist in breaking up the
outlaws. Duane accepts and goes to the
outlaw headquarters on a secret mission.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26
CHAPTER xV.-Continued.

But In striking contrast to this
mystery was the person, character,
and cold-blooded action of Poggin and
Knell, the chiefs ~lieutenants. They
were familiar figures in all the towns
within two hundred miles of Brad
ford. Knell had a record, but as gun
man with an incredible list of victims,
Poggin was supreme. If Poggln had
q friend no one ever heard CT him.
There were q hundred stories Of his
nerve, his wonderful speed with a gun,
his passion for gambling, his love Of
a horse-his cold, i~mplacable, inhu-
man wiping out Of his path any man
that crossed 1t.
"Cheseldine Is n name. a 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 ONE from? No:
there must be q master craftsman
behind this border pillage; q master
capable of handling those t%errors,
Poggin and Knell. OF all the thou
SduuS VI OutluWo uCNClOpCu ny WCSL
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 /
doubt If any outlaw there, possibly
excepting Buck Duane, ever equaIed
Poggin. You've heard of this Duane?"
Eyes, a little" replied Duane quiet
ly. "Tm from southern Texas. Buck
Duane, then, is not known out here?"
"Why, man, where isn't his name
KNOWN" returned Colonel Webb.
1--WE 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-robberies
and train hold-ups during the last few
years in this country. But that's poor
reasoning. The jobs have been too
we'll done, too surely covered, to be
the work Of greasers or ordinary out
laws"
whats your view Of the outlook?
How's all this going to wind upf
Will the outlaw ever be driven out?"
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 uf river. But the sway
of the outlaw, such as Is enjoyed by
these great leaders, will sooner or
later be past. There's talk Of Vigi-
lantes, the same that were organized
in California and are nov in force
in Idaho. So far it's only talk. But
the time will come. And the days of
Cheseldine and Poggin are numbered"
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26

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 q seat by q 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.
1t 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 a patio, and
across it to a little dingy, dim-lighted
barroom. Here he found the inn
keeper dispensing drinks to the two
strangers.
"Hev sometime" n Of them ask
ed, leering. Both looked Duane up
and down.
mo thanks, I don't drink" Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with interest. "How's tricks in the
Big Bend?"
Both men stared. 1t had only taken
a close glance for Duane to recognize
a type of ruffian 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 fell
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 cen them. They
mean evil. Tell your father to be
careful. Lock your doors-bar your
windows tonight"
"Ohw cried Ruth, very low. "Ray,
do you hear?"
"Thank you; well be careful" said
Miss Longstreth, gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. ~ saw
those men watching you from that
door. They had such bright black
eyes. Is there really danger-hereT
81 think So" was Duane's reply.
Soft swift steps behind him pre-
coded a harsh voice: Glands 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
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26
CHAPTER XVI.

Next morning Duane mounted his
horse and headed for Fairdale. He
rode leisurely, as he wanted to learn
all he could about the country. There
were few ranches. The farther he
travelled the better grazing he en-
countered, and, strange to note, the
fewer herds of cattle. 1t was just
sunset when he made out a cluster
of adobe houses that marked Sander
son, halfway between Bradford and
Fairdale. When he drew up before
the inn the landlord and his family
and a number of loungers greeted
him laconically.
BEAT the stage in, hey?" remarked
one.
There she comes now" said an
other. "Joel shore is drivin' to-
night"
Far down the road Duane saw a
cloud of dust and horses and a lum-
bering coach. Presently 1t rolled up,
a large mud-bespattered and dusty
vehicle, Uttered with baggage on top
and tied or behind. A number of
passengers aiignted, three of whom
excited Duane's interest. One was a
tall, dark, striking'looking man, and
the other two we're ladies', wearing
long gray listers and wells. Duane
heard the proprietor of the inn adj
dress the man az Colonel Longstreth,
and as the party entered the inn
Duane's quick ears caught a few words
which acquainted him with the fact
that Longstreth was the mayor of
ra,rdale
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26
CHAPTER XVII.

Duane followed the stage through
the town, out into the open, on to a
wide, hard-packed road showing years
Of travel. 1t headed northwest. To
the left rose q 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 a fast trot,
which gait surely covered ground
rapidly.
Early in the afternoon from q ridge
top Duane sighted Fairdale, a green
patch in the mas of gray. For the
barrens Of Texas it was indeed a fair
sight. But he was more concerned
with its remoteness from civilization
than its beauty. At that time, In the
early seventies, when the vast western
third Of Texas was a wilderness, the
pioneer had done wonders to settle
there and establish places like Fair
dale.
1t needed only a glance for Duane to
pick out Colonel Longstreth's ranch.
The house, not more than q few min
utes' walk from the edge of the town,
was q low f1atroofed structure made
Of red adobe bricks. All was green
about it, 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 a big out
fit, eh2"
"Reckon he has," replied the lad.
"DOan know how many cowboys.
They're always comm and goin'. 1
amt acquainted with half of them"
much movement Of stock these
days?"
"Stock's always movin'," he re-
plleu, Will IL queer iOOhs
"Rustlers?"
But he did not follow up that look
with the affirmative Duane expected.
"Lively place, l hear-Fairdale ISL"
saint SO lively as Sanderson, but
It's bigger"
"Yes, l heard 1t was. Fellow down
there was talking about two cowboys
who were arrested"
"Sure. 1 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 a hotel,
bought cigars, sat around, and watch
ed. Then he passed out and went
into the next place. 1t was full Of
men coming and going-a ~dusty-boot-
ed crowd that smelled Of horses and
smoke. Duane sat down for a while,
with wide eyes and open ears. Then
he hunted up the bar. He stayed In
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 a 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.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-26

LlOlnDclcu LIS WolueuIOlh, Seeuueu W
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 / be of any service?" asked
Duane, solicitously.
THANKS; l guess there's nothing
you can do. Talk to these frightened
girls while l go see what's to be done
with that thick-skulled robber," he
replied, and, telling the girls that
there vas 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 1t awkwardly, and he felt a
strange thrill.
"You saved my life," she said, in
grave, sweet seriousness.
mo, mol" Duane exclaimed. "He
might have struck you, hurt you, but
no MORE"
"Did you kill him?" asked Miss
Ruth, who lay listening.
"0h, 40. He's not badly hurt"
"I'm-very glad he's alive" said
Miss Longstreth, s%huddering.
"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. 81 am
Ruth Herbert. And this is my cousin
Ray Longstreth."
"Tm 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 a good night,
which seemed rather curt by contrast
to the graci0usness Of the girls, he led
them away.
Before going to bed Duane went
outside to take a look at the injured
robber and perhaps to ask him a 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 TOT" inquired Duane.
"Sure. He asked for whisky"
"Did he say anything else?"
"Not to me. l heard him talkin' to
the father of them girls"
"You mean Colonel LongstrethT"
II reckon. He sure was some riled,
wasn't he? Jest as If I was to blame
fer that two-bit Of q %hold-upl"
"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.
"Wal, I'm doggoned If 1 know what
to make of it. But I 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
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

Rusk County Abstract Company,
a corporation,
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
CHAPTER XVII.

To the right of the hallway, as one
entered stood a conventional ma
hogany hat and coat rack, framing a
mirror. On this Peter noticed the rain
coat Craven had worn. His hat lay
on the floor near the foot of the STAIR
way. Immediately opposite the mirror
an arch admitted to the drawing room,
a room in darkness tempered by the
glow from the hallway.
Just within the arch lay the body of
Thaddeus Craven, supine, limp, with
arms outstretched. Kneeling beside the
body QuOin looked up at Mrs. Ellswor-
thy and demanded in an irritable voice,
Light, please!'
The woman moved away into the
gloom. A switch clicked sharply; the
room was rendered brilliant by half a
dozen scOnces.
In this illumination the body of Cra-
ven wore an aspect even more terrible
and repellant. Death conferred no ma
jesty on his clay. The upturned face
was deeply congested and hideous, with
eyes bullying and glazed with lips swol-
len, purple, and half parted.
Quoin bent an ear to the bosom,
above the heart. sat up and felt for the
pulse in swollen red wrist, bent again
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

later he was shot dead where he sat
1t only goes to show how the criminal
imagination inclines to melOdrama-
give your victim warning, so that he
may die dozen imaginary deaths be
fore you kill him. In this case Craven's
heart spoiled their fun; but the chances
are he would never have got back to
his hotel alive"
He paused, looked pityingIy down at
the dead man, sighed, .Well-poor
devil !" then, unfolding handkerchief,
placed it gently over the livid and dis
torted mask. Better not move him till
the doctor comes; though I fancy we
can save you the trouble of an inquest,
Mrs. Ellsworthy. And We'll do our best
to keep it out of the papers. We'd bet
ter draw the pOrtieres while Peter gets
Miss Craven out of the house. Yes,
that's your job, Peter; but better not
tell her anything until you get her
away. Take her to Mrs. Beggarstaff-
don't you think?'
eyes," agreed Peter, ''for few days
or weeks-as long as she needs to get
over it."
"And then?" asked Quoin curiously.
"Why," said Peter in surprise, didn't
you know we were going to be mar
.ied?"
fTHE END.N
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

ceased shall present their claims against
such estate for examination and allow
ance. be and hereby is fixed and linn
tied to Four Months from the date
hereof
1t is Further Ordered, That all
claims and demands against said de-
ceased be received at the court rooms
of said court on any day hereafter
until the expiration of the said four
months and be examined and adjust
ed at the regular term of said court
appointed to be held at the court
house in said county, in the city of
LadysIhith OH the Fifth day of March,
1918, at the opening of court on that
day, or as soon thereafter as the mat
ter can be heard;
And it is Further Ordered, That no.
tice hereof be given to all persons in
terested, by publication hereof for
three consecutive weeks in the Lady
smith News-Budget, newspaper pub
lished in said county, the first pub
LEGATION to be made within fifteen days
from the date hereof.
Dated October 18th, 1917.
BY the Court,
D. w. MALONEY, Judge
J. A. Michaelson, Attorney.
(First insertion Oct. 26, 1917. 2S-30)
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
STATE OF WISCONSIN, IN CIR
CUT COURT FOR RUSK

ODUN
Bank of Prairie du Chen,
a corporation, Plaintiff,
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
STATE OF WISCONSIN, IN CIR
CUT COURT, FOR RUSK
CNI1NTY.

North Western Lumber Company, a
corporation, Plaintiff
Erazem Gorshe and Mary Gorshe, his
wife. Defendants.
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO
THE ABOVE NAMED DEFEND
ANTS:
You are hereby summoned to appear
within twenty days after the service
of this summons, exclusive of the day
of service, and defend the above en-
titled action in the court aforesaid ;
and in case of your failure so to do,
judgment will be rendered against
you according to the demand of the
complaint of which a copy is here
with served upon you.
G.. B. Culbertson,
Plaintiffs Attorney.
Post Office Address Stanley, Chip
pewa County, Wisconsin.
The original summons and COM
plant in the above entitled action are
now on file in the office of the Clerk
of said Court at the Court House in
the City of Ladysmith in said county
and state.
(First insertion, Oct. 5, 1917, 25-30)
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02


Bank of Prairie du Chen,
a corporation, Plaintiff,
vs.
O. e. Peterson
and Ray Anderson
Defendants,
BY virtue of a Judgment of fore
closure and sale, made in the above
entitled action on the Dist day of Au,
gust, 1916, the undersigned sheriff
Of Rusk County, State of Wisconsin,
will sell at the front door of the court
house at Ladysmith, Rusk County
Wisconsin. on the 10Th day Of Decem
Der, 1917, at 10 O'Clock in the forenoon
of that day, the real estate and mort
gagged premises directed by said judg-
ment to be sold, and therein described
as follows:
The east one-half of the southwest
quarter (Eh SWH) and the north
west quarter of the southwest. quar-
ter (NWH SWH) of Section No
twenty-four (2G; the southeast
quarter of the northeast quarter Csc
HNEH) of Section No. Twenty six
eco. Township No. Thirty-six (36)
north of Range No. six co West, Rusk
County, Wisconsin, Terms of sale
cash.
Dated, September 18th, 1917.
VIM. DODSON, Sheriff.
]. w. Carlow, Plaintiffs Attorney.
First insertion Oct. 26, 1917. 1888
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

There is more Catarrh in this section OF
the country than al! other diseases put
together, and until the last few years
was supposed to be incurable. For a
great many years doctors pronounced it a
local disease and prescribed local reme-
dies, and by constantly failing to cure
with local treatment, pronounced it incur
able. Science has proven Catarrh to be a
constitutional disease. and therefore re-
quires constitutional treatment. Halls
Catarrh Cure, manufactured by F. ).
Cheney & Co., Toledo, Ohio, is the only
Constitutional cure on the market. 1t Is
taken internally. 1t acts directly on the
They offer one hundred dollars for any
case it fails to cure. Send for circulars
and testimonials.
Address: F. J. CHENEY & CO., Toledo, O.
Sold by Druggists 75c
Take Halls Family Pills for constipation
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
STATE OF WISCONSIN, IN CIR.
CUTE COURT FOR RUSk
EAEINNX
Bank of Prairie du Chen,
a corporation, Plaintiff

Bank of Prairie du Chen,
a corporation, Plaintiff
VS..
O. E. Peterson
and Ray Anderson, Defendants.
By virtue of judgment of fore
closure and sale, made in the above
entitled action on the Dist day of Au-
gust, 1916, the undersigned sheriff of
Rusk County, State of Wisconsin, will
sell at the front door of the Court
House at Ladysmith, Rusk County,
Wisconsin, on the 10th day of Deem
Der, 1917, at 10 o'clock in the fore
noon of that day, the real estate and
mortgaged premises directed by said
Judgment to be sold, and therein de-
scribed as follows:
The southeast one-quarter (SEA)
of Section number Twenty-fOur (24),
Township number Thirty-siX (36)
North of Range number Six CO. West,
Rusk County, Wisconsin. Terms OF
sale, Cash.
Dated, September 18th, 1917.
VIM. DODSON, Sheriff.
J. w. CAROW, Plaintiffs Attorney.
(First insertion Oct. 26, 1917. 2S-33)
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
Order for Hearing Petition for Admin
| istrati0n and for Adjusting of

Order for Hearing Petition for Admin
istratiOn and for Adjusting of
Claims
STATE OF WISCONSIN,, COUNTY
COURT, RUSK COUNTY
In re Estate of George Grieshammer,
Deceased.
IN PROBATE
1t appearing by the verified petition
of Eugene Il. Grieshammer, Of the
town of Flambeau, in said county,
among other things that George Cries
hammer, of the town of Flambeau, in
said county, lately died testate, leav-
ing Last Will and Testament which
has been delivered into this court and
praying that time and place be APP
pointed for proving said Last Will and
Testament
Therefore it is Appointed And Or
dered That said petition and matters
therein be heard and proofs of said
Last Will and Testament to be taken
at the Regular term of said court ap-
pointed to be held at the court house
in said county, in the city of Lady
smith, on the fourth day of December,
1917, at the opening Of court on that
day, or as soon thereafter as said mat
ter can be heard, when all concerned
may appear and contest the probate of
said instrument;
1t is Further Ordered That the time
within which the creditors of said de-
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
fTHE END.)
STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT
COURT RUsK COUNTY.

Rusll County Abstract Company,
a corporation,
Plaintiff,
VS..
The Farms Sales Company,
a corporation,
Defendant
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
10 the said Defendants:
You are hereby summoned to appear
within twenty days after service of
this summons, exclusive of the day OF
service and defend the above entitl-
ed action III this court aforesaid, and
in case of your failure so to do judg-
ment will be rendered against you ac-
cOrding to the demand of the com
plaint Of which copy is herewith SER
we'd upon you.
McGILL & WILLIAMS,
Plaintiffs Attorneys.
p. o. Address: Ladysnith, Rusk
County, Wisconsin.
(First Publication, Sept. 2S,1917-24-29)
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

MONEY TO LOAN-Falge & Slime,
Ladysmith. If
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02

reservation. When he returned and
picked up the hat there was a playing
card beneath 1.-THE death card-in his
case the four OF hearts. Five minutes