Year: 1875

4 gentleman who has lately returned
from visit to Dallas, Texas, tells a story
which is rather dramatic and may be
true. The story was told to him by an
old hunter, who had become domesti-
Gated and was lounging about one of the
Dallas hotels.


stories, stranger, said the old fellow, in
conversation with the gentleman, " but
/ don't know of any that 'ud be more
likely to kind o strike you than an ex-
perience of Sam Longs i'll Harrison
county, years ago. Texas wlz a tough
place then you kin bet on that !"


And then the old fellow told the story,
which can scarcely be as graphic in print
as in his terse idiom


Years ago Harrison county, in Texas,
was the haunt of about as desperate
gang of ruthans as ever infested any dis
trict west of the Mississippi. Their
number was so great and their organiza-
ton was so complete that they set
the but half administered law at de-
tiance, carrying on a career of daring
crime with impunity and making tho le-
gion an undesirable place Of ABODE for
all honest citizens. Os. s.Snsibly hunters
or horse-traders, the desperadoes made
stock stealing Nleir chief occupation,
never hesitating to commit Il murder
when necessary for their safety or for
the execution of any of their rascally
plans. The controlling spirit in this
desperate organization was giant named
Dick Reddett, who from his exceptional
ferocity and daring, exercised almost
despotic control over his followers. A
special pride of this man was in his ex-
traordinary skill in the use of the rifle,
no one of the band being able to COM
pete with him in what was Mt that time
considered the chief accomplishment of
Western man.


1t was favorite practice with the
band to congregate at some one of the
few small stores scattered through the
country and there engage i'll shooting
matches, and it was upon one of these
occasions that Sam Long, the hunter al
ready mentioned, CHANGED to be present.
Long was quiet, modest fellow who
lived with his wife and child i'll small
cabin in the neighborhood and who
made hunting his constant occupation.
He never appeared at the store save to
exchange skins and furs for provisions
or ammunition, and were widely and favor
ably known for his sobriety and honesty.
Upon the occasion Just referred to when
Sam Long Glanced to come while the
desperadoes were engaged in one of their
shooting matches, it was demanded that
he should take part in the sport The
hunter hesitated at first, but finally, not
wishing TO incur the ill-will of the ruff
fans. consented. His skill with the rifle
was known to be something remarkable,
and the desperadoes were not greatly
surprised when he defeated them all save
the Captain of the band. This man had
not engaged in the sport, but when Long
had vanquished all the others he came
forward with the assurance of an easy
victory. The shots were made, and, to
the surprise of all, Long gained the day.
The rage of the leader of the ruiiians
knew no bounds mt thus being defeated
in the presence of his followers, and, al
though refraining from any violence on
the spot, he intimated darkly to the
hunter that he would yet "get even will
him." Long paid little attention to the
threat, and soon afterward returned tC
his cabin.


At Just dusk, some days later, San
Long having come in from n long hunt
was living on the floor of his cabin and
playing with the child, while his wife was
getting supper. The wife, busy will
her cooking, asked Long to go to al
adjacent spring and bring some water
a request which he promptly complied
with, leaving his gun in the house, {
somewhat unusual course with him. HI
had reached the spring and was jus