A CURIOUS LIFE

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 223, 26 June 1872, Page 3

A CURIOUS LIFE

An account given in the leading article of the New York Tribune of the career of a young mau 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 fights resigned his position on General Burbridge’s stall, and soon amused himself by shooting a paroled prisoner whom he met in the r >ad, ‘from mere gaitv of heart. ’Not much later he slabbed a young townsman, and was shot by him. On his recovcryhc took occasion to lire a few shots at his own father, which although not resented by the old gentleman, was considered ‘oft color’ by the authorities, and soyounghopeful 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 ruftled bosom of bis noble sire, who gloried in the boy’s life and high spirits. Eating the fated calf evidently agreed with him, for a short time afterwards lie met in a bar room a distinguished gambler of the region, vho approached him and asked him if his diamond pin was paid for—a question which even our impassioned Tweed might find iudecotuis. Mr Alexander remonstrated with a revolver, and the gambler died. A high toned jury acquitted the young avenger of insulted breast pin. 11 is next atfair was with a‘gallant gentleman’ named Hanson, with whom lieexchaug :d five shots hitting three times, auc telling nim gaily at the last 1 Now Ike,lm going to kill you.’ J lie cause of the quarrel was characteristic. The two combatants and other idle louts of the town had been passing the night in deluging certain disreputable houses with water from a fire-engine, all in the interests of a 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 fired a few more bullets into him, which made them excellent friends.” After narrating some more incidents of the same character, the Tribune, concludes He was as useless and noxious an animal as any rattlesnake in Kentucky ; and yet the journalist who recounts all those facts says : I He was generous, affectionate, and manly. He was extremely liked by the ladies, and was the idol of his immedate circle of male friends.’ As long as these pernicious i types of manhood are honoured audeheri- : bed, allowed currency in society, and a j derisive impunity in the courts, Kentucky j will retain her right to the sobriquet of | the 1 dark and bloody ground.’ ”