SUCCEEDED IN DESPERATE MISSIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2066, 13 January 1925, Page 2

SUCCEEDED IN DESPERATE MISSIONS.

Three Presidents of the United States and every Governor of OkUv homa except one for some time called on Tilghman for speoial duty. It, always was some desperate mission, and never did. Tilghman fail to bring in his man, alive if possible, but dead if necessary. At one time President Roosevelt sent birn into Mexico for a rnbrderer. Tilghman penetrated GOO miles into the southern republic, got his man and brought him back to the United States. Mexico never even protested officially. No less spectacular than his war on criminals was Tilghman's service ngains tithe Indians during the seventies. He was only twenty years old when he firsfc saw service in the Cheyenne and Arapohoe war of 1874, and he also fought through the campaign of 1878 when Dull Knife and his followers lefri the reservation at Fort Sill and plundered the frontiers of Kansas and Nebraska. Tilghman's home and all his possessions were burned by the marauders ,and the memory of it made his aim a little traer and his zest! for the fight a little keener . Some of his experiences during the Indian wars have been made tlbe basis of novels, for it was ho who rode seventy-five miles through Indian-infested country for troops and led them to the relief of a beleaguered settlement. The cavalry actually arrived in the nick of time, for the log blockhouse was in flames, half of the defenders were dead .and the Indians were forming for a final rush when the troopers swept down on them. Only a remnant of the Indian band escaped, and Tilghman tracked them for days, until they finally eluded him.

At another time Tilghman and two brother scouts were surprised by a roving band of red mara/.iders and for forty-eight hours fought off attack after attack. Their dead horses served as breastworks. tillable to break through the deadly fire of the scouts and fearing td tarry long enough to starve them out, the Indians withdrew, leaving behind a dozen dead. One of the scouts was killed and Tilghman and his companion were slightly wounded. They buried their comrade, "outfsmartcd the Indians by stealing two ponies from them during the night, and reached safety. NEVER SACRIFICED LIFE. Aside from his Indian wars, it was said of Tilghman that he never took a human life unless in was necessary to save his own. Scores of times brother officers rebuked him for placing his life and theirs in jeopardy because of his unwillingness to "shoot on sight." yet they never could influence him. Bui he was relentless in his *ask and never abandoned the chase until his man was dead or in prison, even though ho might be compelled to turn his attention elsewhere for the time being. "Undo Bill" Tilghman's death cast a pall over Oklahoma. Split by die bitterest political fight in its history, the Stfate forgot its hatreds when the news of his murder was flashed, and from all factions arose a tribute to the dean of Oklahoma's peace officers, the man who met and conquered more "bad men" than any two Other officers in the South-west-and perhaps in the world—the man whose mere presenco in town enabled woman and children to sleep peacefully and caused criminals on seek either fieldts. A Governor, two former Governors, a United States Senator, ministers, widows of men whose murderers ho had brought tio justice and men in all walks of lit'o joined in doiug honour to him and in pouring a flood of condolences on the widow. And the children

'He'll he missed by all the boys in the neighbourhood," his widow says. "They all knew him and liked him, and lie always had time to listen to their troubles, share their joys, advise them, show them why this course or that was right, poiim ou the lolly or unfairness or dishonour and help them if they v«w in trouble. He really was gladder, 1 believe, to persuade a boy to do the manly thing than to catch a murderer. "I have sat by my window and heard groups of boys go by discussing some proposal heatedly. If one remarked. 'Well, Uncle Biily would do so and so,' they settled. They did as Uncle Billy would do."

"Wanted, comedian, must be funny. One able Lo harmonise. —Apply, etc." So ran the advertisement in the theatrical paper. In response i<> it many would-be, thought they were once, miglv't-have been funny men presented themselves and were dhly weighed in their "scales" and found wanting._ At last the manager thought he had found the very man. "I'll admit you're funny,"" he said; "but are you used ijto harmony?" "Used to everything," replied the comedian, "except —ha—money."

"Well," said the manager, "tell me, what is 'harmonising'?" "It's the stuff they put on .the top of wedding cakes," came the prompt reply.