The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-04-18


refusal very well, aud turned abruptly
away, and commenced betting on monte.
"What did that fellow say to you. Mis-.
teri" inquired large, broad. .shouldered
man, who went by the name OF Jones.
..Only asked me to drink with him
that's ALL" replied.
"Well. stranger. am from Oregon.
and my name is Jones; | have been on
the river about five months. and some peo.
pie call me the alcade of these diggings.
But that has nothing TO do with him. LIE,
IN. advise you. as fellow -countryman
to have nothing to do with that fellow.
have had my eye or him for some time;
and il he does ever come under my disci-
pline. will serve him out, warrant you .
..Of what offence has he been guilty.
inquired. looking at the man more close
Ily.
..Well we have not been able to prove
anything against him. as yet but there
has been a good deal Of the dust lost out
OF our tents whenever they have been lef f
alone. and you will never see this fellow
at work. il you should stay here ten years
He has not got il in him. Ye, he has al
ways dust 10 lose ut the gambling table
every night. Why, before that fellow came
there, could go out and leave dozen
pounds OF the real stuff in my tent, and
come back and find it safe; but i, won 7
do to do il now,' he said sorrowfuly. as
though he was grieved to find SO much
dishonesty in the world.
Jones bade me good night, and walked
towards his tent. while stepped neare,
to the suspected person. and had good
opportunity to examine him as he stood
at the card table. o@E
| He was. as have said, twenty -eigh
years old. with small dark eyes. that new
er seemed to be at rest; heavy beard and
moustache. and very white teeth. which
ne was AT considerable pains to show. H.
was about five feet eight inches high, ant
rather strongly built. with certain reck
less appearance about him. that denoted
the lowest class Of gamblers. He went By
1.-The name OF Morgan. | finished my ex
amin alton OF him, and then repaired tt
my tent. where. after smoking, and rela
Iting ihs news had heard, turned in
and was soon dreaming Of the dear iriend
Iwhom lhad left in old Massachusetts.
The next day we put our "cradles' to
2ether. and commenced operations, oppo
Site B;dwelrs ranch, bu, / cannot say tha
we made the amount daily that my san
tguine friends had anticipated. AT an,
rate. we worked easy, aud managed t,
lay up little; but il we had been obige,
10 buy provisions at the rate they wer'
4 seiiing for Ht the store, we should hav,
had 10 send home for money to pay on
debts with, or else taken the benefi, of tn
bankrupt act.
All went on smoothly for week. w,
made the acquaintance Of most ofthe mi
ners at work in the neighborhood. an,
found them to be all pretty good tellows
their worst fault appearing TO be drinking
but then they worked hard, and plesde'
!, VS. an excuse that the climate was SO ba,
that drinking was beneficial.
One morning. Just as day was breaking G
our accustomed hour for getting up I
breakfast. we observed large crow
gathered round the store, and curiost
getting the better OF us, We started to Sc
2 what the matter was. leaving one TO coo
! the breakfast. As we drew near. coul
see the tall torn Of Jones mingling wi,
: the crowd, aud uiating violently.
I inquired Of hi,n wha, had brough: so ms
1 ny together. thus early in the morning.
Matter enough" he replied. .t!ere
III at scoundrel of "a Morgan stole no le.
Than three thousand dollars IRON Dor,
:. the store keeper.
+ ..is he taken Z" 4 asked, asionished
!, the robbery. 5HtsA
:" ..Yes. we have him safe enough, an
y the money also" chuckle9 Jones'.
After some inquiries. found that abo
two O'Clock in the morning. Dory wi
awakened by a slight noise inside Of Il
: tent In an instant all was quiet, b
thinking tha, everything was no, right, !
q took his revolver from under his bed. al
= commenced a search about in the dar
T. All at once his hand came in contact wi
a man IS head.
~ "Who is thisl' he asked, and receiv.
~ for answer q tremendous blow. whi,
:" lnearly stunned him. bui Instantly rallyin
- he discharged his revolver repeatedly a,
.. form that dsr,ed past him. aud then f
$. $ lowed as, swiftly az possible in pursu
:. shouting. "s,op thief! T"
- Some dozen or two turning out, ga
= chase, and succeeded in capturing Nc
~ gan. after desperate resistance, in viii
10, he used his kulie very freely. About 81
,niiv yards from the store he had thro,
! away ihe two buckskin bags, that co
:, ,ttaiuetl the dust. and that was safely del
). cred 10 tbs owner. They wers now abe
a forming jury to try him for the robbeI
4. and twelve Americans were according
- 4chosen. with old Jones as Judge. I
\. trial wac soon over, and the jury were Z
g on, more than half an hour before III
=. lreiurned, end pronounced him worthy
n. death. leaving il to the Judge 10 decide
what manner he should. die.
~ | ..Well. boys. you have acted wise
me apd, /, as am . mercifUl man, deci
III THAT 81 ten o'ciock this forenoon, he
cir ltied 10 q tree. and six Of our best mar
ow men load ihzir rifles and have crack
r.Ihim, and may God have mercy on
nv souh aMf.e--," Jones continued, !,
ow appoint you, with % many assistan,s
ere you want, 10 see the law carried into
wo fect.n @ so
sre Il in.imated to the honorable Judge 4
ON II should like 10 be excused from perfor
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