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Among the white scouts were numbered most of the noted of their class. The most fironilrieiit man among them was “ Wild Billwhose highly varied career was made the subject ol an illustrated sketch In one of the popular monthly periodicals a few years ago. “Wild BUI” was a strange character, just the one which a novelist might float over. lie was a Plainsman in every sense of the word, yet unlike any other of his class. In person he was about six, feet in height, straight as the straightest of the warriors whose Implacable foe he was; broad shoulders, well-formed chest and limbs, and a face strikingly handsome; a sharp, clear blue eye, which stared you straight in the face when in conversation; a line-shaped nose, inclined to be aquiline; a well-turned mouth, with lips partially concealed bv a habdsome moustache. Ills hair and complexion were those of the perfect blond. The, former was worn in uncut ringlets,,, falling carelessly over his powerfully formed shoulders. Add to this figure a costume, blending the immaculate neatness of the dandy with the extravagant taste and style of the frontiersman, and you have “ Wild Bill,” then as now the famous scout on the Plains.Whether on loot or on horseback, he was one of the most perfect types of physical mauhood I ever saw. Of his courage there could be no question- it had been brought to the test on too many occasions to admit of a doubt. Ills skUl In the use of a rifle and the pistol was unerring; while his deportment was exactly the opposite of what might be expected from a man ot his surroundings. It was entirely free frcm all bluster or bravado. He seldom* spoke of himself unless requested to do so. His conversation, strange to say, never bordered either on the vulgar or blasphemous. HU influence amoog the frontiersmen wag unbounded, liU word was law; and many are the personal quarrels and disturbances which be lias checked among hU comrades by bis simple announcement tills *• this has gone far enough,” if. need be followed by the ominous warning that when persisted in or renewed the quarreler “uiust settle it withme.”11“IVijd Bill” is any tiling but a quarrelsome man; yet no one but himself can enumerate the many conflicts In whichhe has been engaged, and wlilcb have almost invariably resulted in the death of hU adversary. I have a personal knowledge of at least half a dozen men whom he has at various times killed, one of these being at the time a member of my command. Others have been severely wounded, yet he always escaped unhurt. On the plains every ulan openly carries his belt with Its invariable appendages, knife anti revolver, often two of the latter. “Wild Bill” always carries two handsome ivory-handled revolvers of the large size; he was never seen without then. Wliere this is the common custom, brawls or personal difficulties are seldom if ever settled by blows. The qoairel Is not from a word fc a blow, mt from a word to the revolver, and he who can draw and fire first is the best man. Xo civil law reaches him; none is appicd for. In fact there Is no law recognized beyond the frontier but that of “might makes right.” Should death results from the quarrel, as ft usally does, no coroner’s jury is empaneled to learn the cause death, and the survivor Is not arrested. But, instead ot these oitl-fash-ioned proceedings, a meeting of citizens takes place, the survivor is requested to bo present, when the circumstances of the homicide are inquired into, and the unfailing verdict of “justifiable” “self-defense,” etc.. Is pronounced, and the. law stands vindicated. That justice is often deprived of a victim there is not a doubt. Vet in all of the many affairs ot this kind in which “Wild Bill” has performed a part, and which have come to my knowledge, there Is not a single instance in whicli the verdict of 12 fair-minded men would not be pronounced lii his favor.—£lt;7*. C. A.Cuttrr, in April Galaxy.
Newspaper Details
Muncie Telegraph
Muncie, Indiana, US
Sat, Apr 06, 1872
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Young E.
OK, USA 09 Apr 2019
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