A Curious Life.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 141, 23 July 1872, Page 7

A Curious Life.

An account given in the leading article of the New York Tribune of the career of a young man named Alexander, who was shot in a street quarrel in Kentucky, vividly illustrates some phases of life in the Western States :

"He entered the Union army when a mere boy, and after various rows and lights resigned his position on General Burbridge's staff, and soon amused himself by shooting a paroled prisoner whom he met in the road, 'from mere gaiety of heart.' Not much later he stabbed a young townsman, and was shot by him. On his recovery he took occasion to fire a few shots at his own father, which, although not resented by the old gentleman, was considered 'off colour' by the authorities, and so young hopeful went to California until his magnanimous progenitor could arrange the matters with the impertinent officers of law. He grew tired of the Pacific coast, and came home as a cook in a Panama steamer. He was of course received into the ruffled bosom cf his noble sire, who gloried in the boy's life and high spirits. Eating the fatted calf evidently agreed with him, for a short time afterwards he met in a bar-room a distinguished gambler of the region, who approached him and asked him if his diamond pin was paid for—a question which even our impassioned Tweed might find indecorous. Mr Alexander remonstrated with a revolver, and the gambler died. A high-toned jury acquitted the young avenger of insulted breast-pin. His next affair was with a ' gallant gentleman' named Hanson, with whom he exchanged five shots, hitting three times, and telling him gaily at the last, 'Now, Ike, I'm going to kill you.' The cause of the quarrel was characteristic. The two combatants and other idle louts of the town had been passing the ni;ht in deluging certain disreputable houses with wafcr from a tireengine, all in the interests of high morality. They drenched themselves with whisky in the meantime, and hence wrangling and blackness of eyes. Before Hanson was quite well, Alexander met him in a shop, and tired a few more bullets into him, which made them excellent friends." After narrating some more incidents of the same kind, the "Tribune concludes : —" He was as useless and noxious an animal as any rattlesnake in Kentucky ; and yet the journalist who recounts all these facts says,—'He was generous, affectionate, and manly. He was extremely liked by the ladies, and was the idol of his immediate circle of male friends.' As long as these pernicious types of manhood are honoured and cherished, allowed currency in society, and a derisive impunity in the courts, Kentucky will contain her right to the sobriquet of the ' dark and bloudy ground.' "