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Show r 'v EMERY ppiwipers. CASTLE PALE, UTAH E IGHTS "ACES and And Since Audust 2 1876,That Has Been "Dead the H .W Mans Hand' 7 Tf National Topics Interpreted by William Bnickart Washington. Unless all signs fall there is going to be a determined stand by many of the country's business for Fight terests for a llniita. Hon on the provisions of the national Industrial recovery act when that question comes up for congressional action next January or February. An undercurrent of information, to the effect that a movement to that end is under way, has begun to seep into Washington In a growing volume. It Indicates that we will hear much about NRA during the obcoming campaigns. Indeed, some President that servers are convinced Roosevelt already is attempting to get the administration's side of the story to the country by sending General Johnson, recovery administrator, out for a tour of speechmaking to sell the blue eagle to the country. The President, It will be remembered, already has declared that NRA must be made a permanent part of our I have found few economic structure. who disagree with that There persons is a difference of views, however, and it is emphatic, as to the extent to which NRA should go in managing the country's business on a permanent basis. It is upon that question, therefore, that the battle apparently will be V By ELMO I I s The Murder of "Wild Bill'' (from an Uia t. a, fr treated at wooa vuw SCOTT WATSON CES and eights! Or, to be more clue, tfe aces and eights of spades and clubs, tlie black aces and eights "how many a later player holding that sinister combination. In some lighted, cheerful room, must have felt a prickling of his scalp as If an Icy breeze fanned his hands, or some dark, cold presence, suddenly In the room, stood mocking at his shoulder." For more than half a century that sinister combination has been known as the "Dead Man's Hand." It was the hand of cards which the famous Wild Bill Hickok was holding when he was assassinated In Deadwood, S. D., on August 2, 1870, and that event is a landmark in the history of the American frontier. "His death marked not only the loss of a brave and gentle man, but also the passing of a great epic," writes a recent biographer of this celebrated frontiersman. "Wild Kill, the greatest scout of the riuins, the cool and fearless marshal of border 'bad towns,' the marvelous marksman, the terror of desperadoes and 'bad men' was gone. And with him was gone the most vital need for a man of his type. The days of wild, free frontier life were numbered. Already courts and schools and libraries and factories were so near by that one more eager forward move would put them and the rich life they brought into the place of saloon and gambling-hal- l and dance-resorWild Bill, and the period in which he lived, both had played their part" The man who wrote those words was the late William Elsey Connelley, secretary of the Kansas State Historical society. When he died In 39110 he left behind him the manuscript of an unpublished biography of Hickok, based upon 42 years of research. During that time he had an unusual opportunity to obtain, evaluate and interpret authentic material relating to the life and character of Hickok. Associated with him in his work was his daughter, Mrs. Edith Connelley Cllft, and upon his death it fell to her lot to edit her father's manuscript and round out the story which he was writing. The result was the book "Wild Rill and His Era The Life and Adventures of James Butler Hickok,'' (issued last year by the Tress of the Pioneers, a New Tork publishing firm, directed by Rufus Rockwell Wilson, which Is doing: an Invaluable work In preserving a variety of pioneer historical records) and In the opinion of those best able to Judge the result, this latest biography is "a sane, convincing portraiture of Wild Bill as he was." Like many another Wild West hero, Wild Bill Hickok has been the central figure In many a tall tale which was either entirely fictitious in the first place or had only a slight basis of fact but which, by constant repetition, has come to be regarded as fact. Therefore, one of the values of Connelley's book is that it dispels many of these legends and myths which have clustered around the name of Wild Bill and substitutes for them statements which can be accepted with the confidence that they represent the truth about him as nearly as it is possible to learn the truth about a man who had such a colorful and varied career as Hickok had. Among these legends is the story of how James Butler Hickok came to be known as "Wild Bill" and there have been as many variations on this theme as there have been on most of the other events in his life. According to Connelley, the true story is this: In 1S61 Hickok, already widely noted as a skillful government scout and guide, was placed in charge of a wagon train which, escorted by 12 guards, was transporting army supplies from Fort Leavenworth to Seda-liMo. En route a party of 50 guerrillas attacked the train not from Independence, Mo., and the guards, outnumbered four to one, made no attempt to defend the train, but reonce. Hickok, as master of tlie train, was riding on horseback ahead of it. When the guerrillas called upon him to surrender, he replied: "Come and take me!" and spurred his horse toward Independence. In the running fight which followed he killed several of his pursuers but escaped without a scratch. Reporting the loss of the train to the Union troops there, lie was told that they could not help him, but that he would have to go on to Kansas City and report tlie loss to the commander at that place. While in Independence he went into a saloon owned by a friend of his and learned that the bartender was besieged In a near-b- y house by a mob of teamsters and other rowdies because he had wounded one of their number during a fight. Hickok immediately drew two pistols and offered to fight tlie entire party but his challenge was not taken up. Then lie ordered the crowd to disperse, saying: "If you do not, there will be more dead men around here than the town can bury," whereupon the rull'mns departed hastily. The citizens of the town gathered in the town square after they had left to express their appreciation to the man who had delivered them from their brief reign of terror and during the meeting a woman cried out: "Good for you, Wild Bill !" Who she was and why she called him "Wild Bill" instead of "Wild Jim," Hickok never knew. He went on to Kansas City, secured tlie aid of a detachment of soldiers and, returning to the scene of the attack on the wagon train, recaptured the uninjured wagons and some of the mules. When he arrived at Sedalia he found that the story of his encounter In Independence had preceded him and everywhere he was hailed as "Wild Bill," a name which stuck to hlra to the day of his death. A great many of the legends that have grown up around the name of Wild Bill have had to do with his almost uncanny skill with the but Connelley's patient research has resulted in the confirmation of most of these stories, even those which seem nearly unbelievable, rather than in dispelling the legend. Like so many other stories about Wild Bill, 'i--X . Hill rl J. - -- C- Jix. y I "s If ' . -- I Hickok's Last Letter to His Wife fs f 1 Vt J 1 I waged. From what I can pick up around here, it is certain that a considerable portion of the business interests is desirous of a limitation on the recovery act provisions so that they will apply really just to establishment of maximum hours of labor and minimum wages, and to abolition of the sweat shop and elimination of child labor. They are determined in their opposition to retention In the recovery act of provisions that give power to fix prices, to control production and to grants of authority that bring private business books into the limelight when ever snooping government agents want to dig into private affairs of individuals or corporations. Frankly, I think that feature has done more to discredit NRA than any other phase of the law under which it operates. On the other hand, only the meanest and cheapest of individuals can oppose any move that is designed to provide better working conditions and hours of labor for those who live by the sweat of their brow. AVhile obviously none can foretell the result of this issue at such an early date, the opinions that I gather among observers here make me believe that there is quite a popular appeal In the argument which is being advanced for revision of the recovery act and limitation of NRA control. Folks generally will go along with propositions that work for betterment, but which do not at the same time include invasion of what they believe to be their personal rights. The administration contends, however, that extension of the recovery act powers or at least, retention of the powers now In NRA are not an invasion of personal rights beyond the necessity for creating greater human happiness. But the business man, great or small, Is going to be hard to convince, It seems to me, that government control to the extent of fixing his prices and doing some of the other things now permitted is not an undue messing with his personal affairs. The lessons of the four-yea- r depression have been so severe that there is little evidence of important opposition to curtailment of hours of labor. Likewise, sound business leaders cannot justify opposition to minimum wages nor can they find a safe ground upon which to propose use of child labor or operation under sweat shop conditions. Politically, therefore, labor will be interested only In those four Items; the women vote of the country probably will be interested only in accomplishment of those ends, and business interests worthwhile will not object. "Wild BUI" Hickok the story of his death has been told many times with a wide variety of contlicting detail. Be cause of its historical importance, in the light of the quotation from Connelley's book at the beginning of this article, it seems worth while, as the anniversary of that event approaches, to give the version of It which has resulted from the Kansas historian's research. There was a curious irony of fate in the manner of Wild Bill's dying which makes it more than another illustration of the age-olsaying that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword, with the substitution of the word for the word "sword." Woven Into the red fabric of the narrative of Wild Bill's last days Is a white thread which seems strangely out of place .In the chronicle of the violent end of a life of violence. It introduces into the killer of the plains the story of this unusual and unexpected role of a tender and devoted husband, even though the element of romantic love may be lacking. In 1870 Hickok was living in Cheyenne, Wyo., listening to the siren call of gold in the Black Hills of South Dakota. But before he could answer that call he learned that Mrs. Agnes Thatcher Lake, the widow of a famous circus performer and herself one of a long line of show people, was visiting a relative in Cheyenne. He had first met her while he was marshal of Abilene, Kan., In 1S71, and, in 1874, during his brief career as nn actor with "Buffalo Bill" Cody in Ned Buntline's "Scouts of the Plains," he had met her again in Rochester, N. Y. The result of their meeting in Cheyenne was their marriage on March 5. Says Connelley: "There Is no doubt that the two, venturesome and full of courage and life, appealed to each other. But the question of love is a very dubious one. The marriage was the practical, sensible combining of forces of two people who knew tltat they could be of mutual help." After the marriage they went first to St. Louis, then to Cincinnati. Two weeks there found Hickok restless and eager to get back to the West and go to the Black Hills. Accordingly he returned to St. Louis and set about organizing a company of adventurers whom he was to lead Into the gold country. This he did, going by way of Cheyenne where his old friend, "Colorado Charley" Utter, joined him. They arrived in Deadwood early in May. Connected with that arrival is one of the elements of the lrony-of-fatmotif In the story of Wild Bill's death his premonition that he was going to his death In Deadwood Gulch. According to a story, as he and Utter came to the top of Break Nek Hill and looked down Into the gulch. Wild Bill said to his companions: "Boys, I have a hunch that I am In my last camp and will never leave this gulch alive." Some time later, In fact the very evening before his death, he was leaning against the side of the open door of the "GO" saloon when a friend noticed his downcast appearance and asked him why he was "looking so dumpy." Hickok replied: "Tom, I have a presentiment that my time Is up and that I am going to be killed." After arriving In the Hills, Hickok took up several claims and began developing them. How successful he was Is unknown. There is extant (in the museum of the United States Playing Card company at Cincinnati) his last letter to his wife, written on July 17, which does not Indicate any considerable success as a gold hunter. His letter read: "Dead Wood black hills. Dacota July 17th. 1S7G. "My own darling wife Agnes I have but a few moments left before this letter starts I never was ns well In my life but you would lauglif to see me now Just got In from Prospecting will go away again to morow but god nowse when It will start my friend will take this to- Cheyenne if he lives I don't expect to hear from you but It is all the same I no my Agnes and only live to love hur never mind Pet we will have a home yet then we will be so happy I am almost sbure I will do well the man Is hurlng me Good by Denr wife Love to Emma "J. B. Hickok "Wild Bill" When Hickok arrived In Deadwood, that camp was In the grip of the most lawless element. Although he was there only as a peaceful prospector, his reputation as a marshal In Kansas, at Hays and Abilene, was well known. Soon the element In Deadwood began talking of making him marshal of that town and having him "clean up the camp." Hickok neither encouraged nor discouraged such talk but went quietly about his work. But such talk was disconcerting to the the thieves and the killers who had jl d cold-eye- d Monument g card-sharp- s, at "Wild Bill's"Grive flocked to Deadwood. They knew that their activities were doomed if he became marshal. Not brave enough to forestall that possibility by "shooting it out" with him themselves, two of tlie leaders of the lawless element, Tim Brady and Johnny Varnes, resorted to assassination. "Broken Nose Jack" McCall, a former buffalo hunter in Kansas who had degenerated into a drunken hanger-oaround the saloons and dance-hall- s of Deadwood, was hired to do the job. They gave him $25 in gold dust and promised him .$175 more, filled him up with the brand of "chain lightning" whiskey which flowed freely In the camp and set him to his task. On the afternoon of August 2 Hickok was engaged in a friendly game of poker In the "d9 '' saloon with Charley Rich, Carl Mann (one of the owners of tlie place) and Captain Massey, a Missouri river pilot. Although tlie others laughed and joked as they played, Hickok seemed unand worried. He was sitting with his hack easy to the door, "a position so absolutely contrary to the caution that governed his alert and watch- hard-heade- n e ful habit that all his instincts were in violent rebellion." Several times he asked to change places with the others, but they refused and teased him about his nervousness. None of the four paid any attention as McCall came lounging through the door and moved noiselessly up behind Hickok. Suddenly Jerking out his .45 caliber McCall shoved the gun within a yard of the back of Wild Bill's bead and, exclaiming: "Dn you! Take that'" fired a single shot. As Hickok slumped forward on the table, the assassin threatened Harry oung, the bartender, with his gun and, the other men In the room covered keeping with It backed from the room. Running to his ponv he threw himself into the saddle. But tlie cinch was loose and the saddle turned, throwing him to the ground. Then he picked himself ran into a butcher shop nearbv to hide up and There be was found by the famous "Calamity Jane" l.urke, whose quick temper flamed into a furious rage when she heard the news of the murder of her friend. Wild Bill. Unmindful of the fact that McCall was stul armed, she entered the butcher shop seize,! a cleaver from a rack and, threaten. ing him with It, forced him to surrender Lark in the "GO" saloon, Hicknk's friends has-y summoned Ellis A. 1ierce R McCalls one shot bad ("Dn0 been Instantaneously fatal. Beside Wild Bill on the floor lay the cards which he had drawn-t- he two black nZ and the two black eights. Who first ca led that ccb nation the "Dead Man's Hand" is unknown But It Is certain that that characterization of it throughout the West dates from that day One other Item in the de serves mention. After ciptJro ,hev examined his revolver and discovered TtZ . chamber in It was loaded. But none of the o five cartridges In It could he exploded ! As "Doc" .erce once said: "What would have been McCall's chances If he had other cartridges when h .snapped one .r.tle ' his gun to Bill's head? He wo b? L !' o as AO. 37 on the file list of Mr. Hickok" time-traine- d . itf jJy JfiPR!flB at h tS 2 hy Wtc-- Ntw.pap.r union. d Attention was called above to the tour which General Johnson Is making in behalf of the Johnson Wanfs blue eagle of the NRA, and It will to Retire be recalled that some months ago I reported on the probability of changes in NRA management During General Johnson's absence, a board cf five men constitutes the administrative authority of NRA. It seems to be In the nature of an experiment If it works out satisfactorily, we may expect to see the veteran army officer retire to private life. He has said as much. He want3 to get back into private business. Mr. Roosevelt, however, likes the fighting qualities of General Johnson, and it is still possible that he will remain on the Job. He is responsible for the general plan of NRA administration and the theories embodied In the various codes. It would seem, therefore, that the man who worked out the codes should stay along and sift them down to the permanent level, if permanency be the goal. Whether General Johnson continues at the helm, or whether the management of that work is entrusted finally to General Johnson's group of five, it is certain that the summer and autumn will witness elimination of many petty features of codes that have proved to be only annoyances. I believe there is agreement among unbiased thinkers that development of codes at the rate necessary to make the Initial drive for hand-picke- i d recovery naturally broiiihtl ttiw . visions of times, It hasb7 visions have very good that was obvionjj1 suit from fair The job the flve-Lt ( If It remains . . to G eral Johnson, t, codes with a i eliminate all f ,L . useless thi were dnn less opposition to the code! m w ""uuauon of till dnstrinl- ronntt... c J ttl.1. The nrpvnlonf rhn..i. . nlCt 3 n h!.: VT Jl pu$?A v unnnt- - no contained vt,the ..camies Bdmlnietti,.'.'otiaiiUU. COdeS. , ig "i 1 I J i q . Ubpli J pull hard to revise asmanyoftw iro uowe next winter' J Bl1 : Of this nhrUi wnrV done before election and a9 ujuj ue wm De It always has vaiia who is Invalid Perks Up such poJ reaped in t been true that an convalescing m through a staa tlie way to recow where he develons genuine rl erourh eryming nus mm wrongly. Fooj noi ngm ana medicines are no and a thousand and one other a furnish grounds for complaint Ta g condition nearly always precedes time when the patient gets out o! and takes a few steps again. The circumstance to which I hail referred is such a common occurrem that it seems to me there is no bettJ illustration of the condition in wMcl American business now is representti to be. It Is highly significant In til first instance, it shows, accordini the experts, that business has enongl new lire blood to start fighting bad against administration plans and m icies that cramp its style, and, ondly, vigorous opposition never failed to be a healthy thing for l country as a whole. From the information I get In mat; quarters, it is yet too early to frl whether commerce and Industry U m ing to be a unit in any one course its opposition. The strictly recover) phases of the New Deal are not gok to be attacked, even by the Republics national committee. That question i parently is settled. But business terests apparently and quite are distinguishing between recover! and reform. Take the legislation tbn created the commission for control sto security sales and policing thefrankli I an as example. exchanges, do not see how the Republican ship or business interests can expeel to get far in criticism of that, even 1 it is solely a reform proposition, w the other hand, business interests w and will attack such projects as til sale ol government manufacture and compeiiM electric power in open with private plants, such as Is takin; In tli place under the experiment Tennessee valley. s tla Not the least of the problems are arisine out of the work SO ily done in NRA and other covery agencies creating Legal n Vuesnon. lfSi o horde the Oneo questions now on the horizon. w -reiaie it out these stands they m rights of citizens after a wioa of fair Dractice, w runs HwP legal lights tell me it back to a base lu the Constitute the United States. It is an old legal maxim that person has accepted r filiation, voluntary action, that be heard to question tne fro,,, which those accrued. Now, business .v. - NBA me vuuco uv.,!. what ftfn m,. ., .mlmitaiv act it is claimed they o done" alter benefits w which means that test the constitutionality bene' 11" Ha' - m u regulations (or the "e5. uuu that there k 11 seems, uuwe.", twtu-w. - thlaW' , difference or opinio yers or mia huu u i ' ru.rtmf.nr of Justice, Manyare a outside of the government stood to De guineas . ti,ov 'flndre-- I pieces or argument of the w . specting the positions codes) -- ! J l ""': As I unuersiunu .... rortli tfte have pnti , code signers setting - u. argunm w mi p., voluntary action, lhey or " s throughout the making aides cons : o, ii,n nnd his stressed the point that whom the code was PPg the administrator be w would would for them and they used la. it heard It I never a fan but It nevertheless Is of those who bad NRA were afraid they r ltnn:in; Of codes the they failed to sign mw- These technicalities they but consequential, greatest importance. so n e P to be court tests of the and act the recovery fc t J, a'u,d & by NRA. seems to be that erased Western . ? e er( Wewg In tJ elude many suits thatas w have been brought c'a that will serve to cour on In real result they NewPer . . t ideratio |