Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-03-11
II EVENING NEWS.
Thursday Evsnins---..Mnrch II, 1869
send the Old Man Home.

"0ld Pike" or California Pike"
the crazy-headed old Democrat whom
everybody in this section knows or has
read of during the last four or FIVE
years, now appears before the public
perhaps for the last time. We had
almost said we hope so, but after all,
the old fellow has furnished US with
many a good local item first and last,
and has become to be considered by
he local press as one Of the institutions
Of the country. 1t seems like u sacri-
nee to give him up. 1t is giving up
one OF our most prolific resources. No
Democrat has been more persistent or
half as loud-mouthed aud u%nquench-
able as Old Pike, and acne half so
often in the station-house, or one
quarter so big q jolly old nuisance to
the police. He always Dragged on be-
ing q dead head" and systematic
hummer never disputed it at alt He
only seemed out Of his latitude or.
away from his base of supplies when
he was out Of the staliou-house or
the County Jail.
At times he has exhibited transient
CLEANS of being possessed Of an intelli-
gent mind, and good sensible reasoning
powers, but O few glasses of whisky
generally rot-gut) given him by I'M
thinking persons just to start the old
fellow going, would upset all sensible
ideas and stir up his luny tendencies
again. There never was any harm in
him, however. We never heard of his
stealing or being arrested for anything
worse than disturbing the peace, or be-
ing o nuisance on general principles.
He always would talk politics and
abuse the Republican ministrHtion,
but it was natural TO him, and be
couldn't we'll help it, even though he
did derive his daily ~suStenance from
the very people he WAS so Justify be-
rating with his crazy old tongue.
During the last six or seven months,
a change has come over the spirit OF
Old Pixies dream, and he has not drank
u drop of whisky, but been as sober as II
Judge all the time. la consequence OF
this total abstinence, he has become a
different man in every respect, and talks
better sense than many q man who
thinks himself particularly smart. tie
has been employed rs II nurse and servant
al the County Hospital, working for bis
grub and clothes, and now he expert
ences a desire to go home to Wisconsin,
where he has relatives and friends TO
look out for him, and some little prop
erty to comfort his declining years. Eve
ming before last, he appeared before the
Board Of Aldermen Of Virginia and
asked hat he be allowed for his ser
vices at the Hospital u sufficient sum to
carry him to his home in the States. lie
said that he was becoming old, and
might be afflicted with some disease,
and thus become n county charge, there
fore he thought it would be cheaper for
the city and county to assist him in get
ting home.
This could not well be officially done,
but each member of the Board OF Alder
men have since subscribed $40, the
Chief of Police n like amount, and there
will probably be found many others who
will give q little towards making up the
requisite amount to pay the old fellows
passage home. He will not be allowed
to handle any of the money, but his
ticket will be purchased for him, and he
will be seen safely shipped homeward.
Help the old chap out; send him home.