Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-08-21
THE POET HORsE.THIEF.
An Early Chapter In Joaquin Mil.
ler's biography.

A correspondent of the Yreka (Cal.
Journal relates the following in regard
to the Poet of the Sierras:
The poets pedigree and place of birth
are not generally known. He has many
queer habits and eccentricities, and
there is enough of the noble and gene.
rous in his composition to compensate
for his faults, whatever they may be.
saw him at the mines of McAdam' {
Creek, California. He was then fresh
from the Willis of Oregon, his long, tow
colored hair reached to his shoulders
and, taken, altogether, he was about the
greenest-looking specimen about the dig
gings. Literature was then as now his
ambition, and he kept constantly scrib.
bling.
| was several times favored with a
sight of his manuscript, some of which ]
thought had peculiar merit; but most OF
his writings neither gods nor men could
understand. He knew nothing Of the
laws of versifcation, nor indeed of rules
of grammar, and when told by me that
he must reconstruct his poetry, observ.
ing rythmical arrangement of words,
and giving each line a certain number OF
feet, according to the kind of verse, his
astonishment was great; and thinking
by my amazed appearance over his
queer lines that / meant to disparage
his talents, he Indignantly snatched the
manuscript from the table, exclaiming,
"0hl d-n the rith-um and measure
ment There's the ideas, and know
what poetical license means"
His many eccentricities made him a
butt for all the rough jokes on the creek.
When smarting under some of these
taunts have often seen his flushed face
express the keenest pain Soon, how
ever, he found most effectual way to
check such insults. He bought long,
heavy Colts revolver, which at full cock
he would level at the face of the person
attacking him, who, thinking that he
meant mischief, thereafter would let him
alone.
In the year 1869 Joaquin worked for
Hurst q Co., on Cherry creek. The ras-
cally Hurst would not pay him, and
being a ruffian and bully, attempted
to frighten him away. Joaquin again
resorted 10 the logical influence OF his
revolver, and with the most satisfactory
success. He also mounted horse be-
longing to Hurst & Co., which he rode
off and sold, paying himself with the
proceeds, and thereby obtaining both
substantial and poetical justice The
law did not recognize such an irregular
proceeding, but rather considered it in
the light of felony. Hurst procured
a warrant for his arrest, and
accompanied Sheriff Bradley, of Dead
wood, to put it in execution. Joaquin
cabin was then on McAdams creek. The
poet was smoothing his cherished tresses
when he saw the men approaching, and
dropping his brush, he leis-
urely started up the mountain. Not
needing Bradley order to halt, that Of
ficer fred two shots from his pistol
Joaquin replied by shooting twice at
Hurst, who was still approaching the fu-
gitive. Joaquin now commanded Brad |
ley to stop. The mandate not being
needed, that officer received g bullet |
through the thigh that just grazed the
main artery, which stopped further pur-
Iuit.
The poet, thoroughly disgusted with
shock the dust of McAdam's s
,reek from his feet, and in the pursuit of
liberty and happiness we next hear of
Tim among the Indians of Pitt River
lalley, where report said he went ex-
ensively into the horse business with
'oor Lo, until the Sheriff of Shasta
made him more trouble.