The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1871-11-10

left the Flat. This was an unprece-
dented episode in Norway Flats his
tory. Nothing had ever occurred be-
fore to disturb its uniform equa-
nimity, except the shooting of Red
Alick by Ru- sian Bill in moment of
fTenZied excitement, produced in the
heat of q discussion as to the merits
of the parties then engaged in the
Crimean war. His departure was the
universal topic of conversation around
every fireside and in every bar-room
in the camp. The speculations as to
the cause were as varied as they were
Improbable.
The thermometer at Browns that
evening indicated 5 deg. below zero
but no fears were harbOred IN the
minds of any one as to the safety of
the one who had so u1ceremOniOusly
left the camp "hOmeWard bound"
Weeks psssed Oh, and nothing had
been seen or heard of Shakes since his
| departure. Norway Flat had almost
| forgotten him. Brown the landlord of
| the Occidental" was standing in his
doorway, gazing abstractedly at the
! the distanC windings of the "down
c0untryn trail. It was on the previ-
GUS day that prospecting party had
| passed along it from the Flat, bound
/ lOE Tic ASSIACG CEALup VI OlA-
gers Delight, situated about ten miles
distant. His thoughts naturally re-
Cured to their departure and prospects,
Suddenly, his quick eye detected in
the distance q grOOp of men slowly
trudging toward the Flat, and was
somewhat astonished to recognize in
them the prOspectOrs of Diggers' De.
light returning, bearing with them q
heavy burden. The news had soon
spread that Shakes had been found
dead ct Diggers' Delight. 1t was evi.
dent that night had OYertaken him
there, and that he had determined tC
spend it in one of the deserted shan.
ties. The Fireplace had been filled
by him with wood, ready for the
| match; but it remained unkindled
Why, no one could answer. The yer
dict Of all who had heard the story
was that he bad fallen = victim TO the
| severity of the day he left the Flat
or, as they expressed it, " friz dead"
In an inside pocket Of a vest wOrI
underneath bis ragged OveTshirt, &
packet Of letters was found, all q
which was written in the same hand
writing, and add essed to "Jame:
! Wilkinson, Esq Norway Flat" Sun
dry photographs were also discovered
in the same pocket-One Of an ageC
| lauy, another or woman IN The
prime of life, and the rest of three
girls Of from ten to fifteen years Of age
|, All the letters bore the same pos
mark, g., Me-" Each envelope
was Endorsed IN pencil mark, " Reed
(date), J. w" One OF them was en-
dorsed. Reed. Nov. II, 1869, J. W.
! That was the day that Shakes lef
Nor way Flat. It's contents explain( {
the mystery Of his life and poverty
and ran thus:
-, MAINE, Aug. 80, 1859.
ify Dear James Your last remit
, lance of $3.50 has been duly received
and the mortgage on the farm is now
paid.
Have you not impoverishec
yourself to keep us in comparative
luxury We have wanted nothing.
Mother is siliDg and rapidly declining
Doctor says she cannot possibly live
through the coming winter. She long
to see you, James, before she dies. =
Emma Annie and, Gerty ar
all we'll. 0, James, do come
home at once; if not 1 shall sell tn,
place next spring, and come to Nor
way Flat myself. Your afIectiOnat,
wife.
ELLEN WILKINSON.
The bright side of Shakes character
which he had so carefully concealed
from the sight of his fellow-nsen, was
here revealed. And. be had now gone
to another home TO receive his reward
- O3,r -I0y76 Month