In 1961 I had just hired into the Grand Teton National Park. I was downtown Jackson. They used to have a tourist attraction of the hanging of "Clover the killer". Several times every day they would rope off the town square, run a stagecoach through with outlaws chasing it etc. I had seen the act so it was no novelty. Many tourists would be there, anywhere from hundreds to over a thousand lined up watching.
I came out of a store and seen a hell of a fist fight going on. I thought, boy these guys are good! Soon it dawned on me it was for real! It was between two passing through rodeo riders and two drunk locals, one I later found out was a marine deserter and the other a local indian. The marine was down and out. His girlfriend was crying and trying to drag his almost unconscious carcass to their car. While there were a huge crowd of people watching, not one would help her. I did. I got him up over my shoulder and he come to and thought I was one of his antagonize`rs he started cuffing me and bit my ear. Soon he was unconscious again and I loaded him in the car. I went back to watch the action. The cowboy that had punched the marine out was no longer fighting but his partner was literally beating that indian to death! The indian was bleeding all over and even from his ears! The indian was very drunk, bawling and now crawling on his knees after the cowboy who was trying to walk off in a bit of I think, embarrassment. He swore violently at the cowboy and said come to me you ------! The cowboy walked backed and was kicking the stuffing out of him! There looked to be somewhere around at least 500 people watching this and not one trying to stop him! Finally I went and held the insane indian down and told the cowboy to walk off.
I have never seen a more bloody fight. I was totally disgusted as not one of those many men even in front of their familys would not stick their neck out! I did meet all four later separately at various times. Right after that I went in the cowboy bar with about 4 other co workers and the owner asked me if my friends were at least as old as me. I didn't lie, at 20 I was the youngest of them. We were set for the season. One more thing bothered me about it. Oddly, not one city cop or deputy seemed to be present where usually at least one or two should have been.
I never have got hurt sticking my nose in trouble and cant well relate to the mind my own business thinking. I was a guard for over 35 years after these events or off the job but of course that is different.
I may be a little naive but I just dont do well with all these cautious pre overthinking yeah, but what if`s sinerio` s.
On the deal above I will admit all involved were pretty well used up before I intervened.
