BARGAINING FOR BLOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7258, 21 February 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

BARGAINING FOR BLOOD.

Ik 1882, says the Denver News, a man • named Jackson was engaged in freighting to the Uncompahgre and White River Agencies, haling Government freight and supplies. In his employ ae a driver was hie nephew, a yoang man also named Jackson. One day, after having delivered a load of freight at the agency, on their retnrn the Jacksona went into camp for the night, after having travelled some miles. No sooner had they stopped than an Indian rode np and demanded supper. Young Jackson said, " Supper is not ready ; m soon as wo get it yon can have some." The Indian became very abusive, and with some rough epithets, eaid, "Me want it now." Jackson repeated his former statement that it was not ready, and he would have to wait. This seemed to enrage the redskin, who at once pulled bis gun on the yonng man to enforce h'» demands. Jackson then ran round the waggon, got his rifle and fired at but did not; hit the Indian, who galloped off at fall speed to the agency, where he reported the matter in his own way. The agent immediately returned with him and a party of Indians, and demanded of Jackson the earrender of the young man. Fearing for his safety, the old man refused at first, but the agent gave his word that he should not be injured ; that he would merely be taken to the post for a hearing, to satisfy the Indians. Upon this assurance being given, the young man was given np, but, notwithstanding the pledge of the agent, they had not proceeded far on their return to the agency when the' agent yielded to the demands cf the Utes and surrendered the prisoner to them. They at once took him to the timber, tied him to a tree, and, amid the most disgusting orgies, tortured him to death in a most cruel manner. Bis uncle, upon ascertaining his fate, made the best el his way back, and upon arriving at Del Norte detailed the particulars of tne tragedy to a large and excited crowd. Among those present was a young man named Lowe, who, upon hearing the story, said, "The agent should be killed." " I will give you a horse and £100 if you will do ic," said Jackson. Lowe accepted the proposition, and the next day, well mounted and armed, and with a liberal advance of the sum agreed upon, started on his mission of blood. As the feeling of having money in his pocket was a novel one, upon arriving at the Saguache he proceeded to "blow himself in," and got gloriously drunk. Having spent all his money, there was nothing left for him bat to get eober and proceed on his journey to the agency. Upon arriving there he was met by the agent, who, perhaps mistrusting him, proceeded to ply him with liquor, and while he was under its tffecte, Lowe confided to him the object of his mission. The agent, naturally feeling that his position was a critical one, and feeling no compunctions for the fate of the younger Jackson, to which he had so largely contributed, then made a proposition to Lowe fully as extraordinary as the one made by Jackson, which was that he would pay £200 for the murder of the freighter. This being the better offer, Lowe at once accepted it,'and started on his return to carry out the terms of the contract. Arriving at Del Norte, be at once sought out Jackson, who asked him if he had killed the agent. "No," said Lowe, "I found him to be a very good sort of a fellow, and, besides, he made me a better offer than yours." "What was it ?" asked Jackson. " fie raised you and offered me £200 to kill you, and I want to know what you are going to do about it." " I don't understand yon,' , said the amazed freighter. "I mean just what I say. tie has raised you £100, and I want to know if you intend to raise him." " Why, no, of course not,"said Jackeon; " and if I don't what do you intend to do t"' " Well, 1 think that unless you make a better offer 1 would have to accept his." "You do, do you?" said Jackson. "Yes," ■aid Lowe; " what else can Ido ?" Jackson then walked off and left him, and got a doublebarrelled shotgun from bis house. He then wentto Bwing'shard ware store, obtained some buckshot cartridges, with which he loaded the gun, and returned to the blacksmith's shop where the conversation took place. Lowe in the meantime went off, got shaved, and then got on his horse and started down the street, Winchester in hand. Jackson, who was standing in the door of the blacksmith's shop, saw him coming, and feeling sure that Lowe would carry out his cold-blooded intention, raised his gun as Lowe passed him and put a heavy charge of buckshot into him, killing him instantly. Lowe's lifeless body fell from the horse into the street. Jackson, as soon a> he saw the result of his shot, jumped upon his horse and fled the country, remaining away until the convening of the District Court, when he returned and surrendered himself for trial, which took place at the same term of Court. Knowing his own course in the premises was not free from blame, he having been the first to offer a price for his enemy's life, ho made the peculiar defence that Lowe had slandered his wife ; also that he had killed him in selfdefence. The result, however, was that he was acquitted.