Year: 1875

A gentleman who has lately return
ed from a visit to Dallas, Texas
tells story which is rather dra
matte. The story was told to him by
an old hunter who had become domes.
ticated and was lounging about one
of the Dallas hotels.


81 could tell you good many
queer stories, stranger" said the
old fellow, in conversation with the
gentleman, 'but | don't know OF
any that 'ud be more likely TO strike
you than an experience of Sam
Longs, in Harrison County, years
ago. Texas was rough place then
you can bet on that!''


And then the old fellow told the
story whiehAzeaR =scarcelE4z rs
graphic in print as in his terse
idiom:


Years ago Harrison County, in
Texas, was the haunt of about as
desperate gang of ruflians rs ever
infested any district west of the Mis-
sissippi. Their number was so great
and their organization so complete
that they set the but half-adminis-
tered law at defiance, carrying on a
career of daring crime with impuni-
ty, and making the region an unde-
sirable place of abode for all honest
citizens. Ostensibly hunters or
horse-traders, the desperadoes made
stock stealing their occupation, never
hesitating to commit 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, ex-
ercised almost despotic control over
his followers. A special pride of this
man was in his extraordinary skill in
the use of the rifle, no one of the
band being able to compete with him
in what was at that time considered
the chief accomplishment of West
ern man.


1t was a favorite practice of the
band to congregate at some one OF the
few small stores scattered through
the country and there engage in
shooting matches, and it was on one
of these occasions that Sam Long,
the hunter already mentioned, hap
pened to be present. Long was a
quiet, modest fellow, who lived with
his wife and child in a small cabin in
their neighborhood and who made
hunting his constant occupation. He
never appeared at the store save to
exchange skins and was favorably
known for his sobriety and honesty.
Upon the occasion just referred to,
when Sam Long CHANGED to come
while the desperadoes were engaged
in one of their shooting matches,
they wished him to take part in the
sport. He hesitated at first, but
finally, not wishing to incur the i'll
will of the ruffians, consented. His
skill with the rifle was known to be
something remarkable, and the des-
peradoes were not greatly surprised
when he defeated them all save the
Captain of the band. This man had
not engaged in the sport, but wher
Long had vanquished all others ht
came forward with the assurance Of
an easy victory. The shots wee
made, and, to the surprise of al,
Long gained the day.


The rage of the leader of the riff
fans knew no bounds at thus being
defeated in the presence of his bl-
lowers, and, although refraining fr.m
any violence on the spot, he intima
ted to the hunter that he would "yet
get even with him." Long paid it,
tie attention to the threat, and soon
afterward returned to his cabin.


At just dusk, some days later,
Sam was lying on the floor of lis
cabin playing with his child while his
wife was getting supper. The wife,
busy with her cooking, asked Long
to go to an adjacent spring and bring
some water, request which he
promptly complied with, leaving his
gun in the house, somewhat I'M
usual course with him. He reached
the spring and was just STOPPING to
fill the pail which he carried, when
he was borne down by sudden at
tack from behind, bound securely,
and dragged some yards in the
! woods. When he recognized his as