The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-27
RICHARD SHOWS HIS STUFF
 TO PROTECT HIS PROPERTY
Promoter Graduates From Clash With Gunghter To More Peaceabe Pursuit Of Staging Boxing Contests In
 Mining Center Of Adopted State

Britain Cuba. Japan and South America by Noril American Newspaper Alliance for The Age e-Herald Al" '''"'' sy TEX RICHARD
 It was my pride in the state of Ne vada, as much as my natural liking for a flier at anything new. that led me into the fight game. Though was born in Missouri and spent. my boy hood in Texas, always think of Ne vada as my native state.
 When tired of Alaska and arrived in San Francisco with about $60,O00 in gold went over to have a look at the Tonopah and Goldfield country. News had come from there of great strikes gold, silver and copper. Once on the spot, there remained. -r.
 My experience in Alaska had taught me much about mineral properties and my services were in demand as a pur- chasing agent for big companies. In fact, it was while making q report on my inspection of mineral deposits that I got hooked into the Jeffries and John, son fight and took up fight promoting as business, but that is a later story
 If man had suggested to me the handling of a prize fight at Goldfield when I first staked out there I would have thought him crazy. =
 AS I say, though, learned to love Nevada. I thought saw great pros- poets for it's future. Like the rest of them I wanted the world to know about 1t.
 became a part of the mining camp in Nevada just as had in Alaska. In addition to stalking out claims I open. ed up gaming house. It may strike customers as amusing, but the leading citizens impressed upon me how much the community was in need of a sort of social headquarters where men could play cards, have drink and discuss matters in general-one that was legal and licensed under state law more orderly than those in Alaska, be- cause of the assistance given us by the sheriff. We had deputies to help keen order. Along the Yukon we were our own law and order. And, strangely enough, it was in Goldfield that l came the nearest to being killed.
 We've Got to Get That Gun"
 The end of my thumb to this day shows a deep scar indicating where it was once sliced in two. Often I am asked about this and there Is surprise when I explain that the cut was made by pistol and not knife.
 A rough fellow whom I knew to be killer came into my place one after. noon waving a six-shooter. A week before he had killed man at Tono- pah. He was very bad this afternoon and I knew that he would hurt some body if allowed to wander around with that gun. He began right off by annoying some men playing cards.
 went outside and found the deputy sheriff and his assistant.
 We've got to get that gun" told them. "The only way is for the three of us to walk up behind him. I'll grab one of his arms and you the other" I sad to the deputy, then the third man can take the gun"
 This plan was agreed upon and, go. ing inside, we found the bad mar standing at the bar. Quietly we walk. ed up behind him. I caught one arm but the killer managed to jerk his lief, arm loose. With the quickness of a cat he went for his holster and got the six-shooter out. There was noth. ing for me then but to grab the gun As I grabbed he must have pulled the trigger. My thumb was directly ovel the first cartridge and the sharp firing