At one time I was dealing red and black on the wharf-boat at the
mouth of Red River, and as there were a number of Texas boys on
the boat I was doing a good business. While I was very busy watching
the game, a big fellow who was employed by the proprietor of the
boat came up and asked me to loan him $100 for a few minutes, as
he had made a bet with a man that he could show up that much money.
I saw he had been drinking, but I was too busy just then to argue
the case, for I knew if I refused him he would want a fuss, as he
had the reputation of being a great fighter, and I had been told
that he had killed three men; so I handed him a hundred-dollar
bill, and went on with my game.
After getting about all the money that the Texas boys would give
up, I closed my game and went out to find my $100. I inquired
after the fellow, and was told that he was up on the levee, so I
waited for him. It was not long until he showed up, and he was
pretty drunk. I asked him to give me back the bill, and he told
me he had spent it. I was mad, but I did not want to have a fuss
just then, as the Texas boys were standing around, and I did not
want them to join in; so I said, "If you have spent it, all right;
you can hand it to me to-morrow." I was just giving him taffy,
for I knew he intended to rob me out of the money, thinking I would
not dare to tackle him, but he did not know me. The Texas boys
had gone to bed, and there were but few persons in the room. The
big killer was standing near the bar, when I saw a chance and let
fly; I caught him under the chin and knocked him as stiff as a
poker; then I took his big gun out of his pocket and threw it out
into the river. I told a black boy to go through his pockets and
see if he had my hundred-dollar bill. He did so, and finally found
it in his fob pocket. After I got my money back I let him up, and
told him to get off the boat; and I said, "If you come back while
I am here, I will beat your head off." He lit out. I gave a black
man a gun, and told him not to let the fellow on the boat. The
next day I was told he was saying he was going to kill me; so I
got a double barrel shot-gun, and sent him word to come down and
see me. He did not come, but went down to Hog's Point, took a
boat, and left that part of the country, as it had got too hot for
him around there. I saw him some years later at Laramie City,
Dakota, and put the police onto him. They gave him one hour to
get out, and that is the last I have ever heard of him.