The Van Buren press., 1872-12-03
MlSCELLA Y.x
Loggerhead Gulch.

Some incidea, in it's early eareor had
given Loggerhsad Gulch its name. just
what that incident was did net live in the
traditions Of the rough miners who dug
and dolved in the gulch. Certain 1t is.
however, that the name was no misno-
mer; for no other mining camp in the
Territory was 30 rough, quarrslseme,and
pugilistc in the nature Of its inhabitants.
Every body seemed at loggerheads with
everybody else, and ready upon the
slightest provocation to lynch everybody
else.
The diggins had not Of late been very
productive Of fprofit, and thai fact did not
add to the kindly spirits Of the miners,
who were disposed to revenge their luck
upon anything that presented itself ~
possible scaps grace
Ne mining camp can exist, or at least
ever has existed, without drinking ss-
loon, and Loggerhead Gulch had its
shanty devoted to the rstailidg Of drink.
Its proprietor was Jack Jepths, and his
dress and demsanor indicated that he had
seen better dsys--had besna = faro dealer
or . barksspsr in a big Eastern hotel, or
something Of that hashy nature. Even
now some traces OF loud dressing hung
about him but the brim OF the felt hat
was battered, and there was something
the matter with tho crown; the flaming
red tie failed to harmonise with the 81
most equally flaming and shaggy red
beard above it; the shirt collar was woe
fully timestainsd the velvstesn coat was
smirched, and had grown white vt the
seams, and at least three buttons were
lacking at the vest.
Tho only other occupant OF Jack Jep-
tha's shanty at the moment the reader 10
introduced to it, excepting the customers,
was a young woman--Jacks wife by
courtesy, and Molle by name. And
with her really delicate beauty che seem
cd wonderfully out Of plncs at Logger
head Gulch. She was about the middle
height, between twenty three and twenty.
four years Of age, slim and elegant ~ to
her figure, fair as an angel 10 painted,
with soft blue eyes and dropping lashes /;
her mouth was small, her lips full and
rosy, and her teeth were ~ white As
pearls. When animated, or talking to
any one, . pleasant, fascinating smile
would play around her mouth; but at
times, when she imagined no one was
locking ct her, the corners Of her mouth
we're drawn down with hard, care worn
expression. Her rounded shoulders and
graceful neck, white IS alabastsr, were
revealed by low dress. She shared the
honors Of the bar with Jack, and dspens-
cd bad whisky and smiles to the Logger
heads with dash and grace that largely
augmented the aggregate sales.
Among the drinkers was one upon
whom liberal potations had told consid.
srably. His companlons called him
Towhead, from the color OF his hair. and
that was the only name he had In camp
In his pocket he had a fair sized bsg OF
gold dust, which he had incautiously dis
played several times during the evening.
At l2 o'cleek Towhsad rose to 60, but
frat called Jack Jeptha outside the door
aud placed the bag Of dust in bis hands.
"Thars my pile, Jack, he said,
4" and I want yer to keep it till to-mor-
row. am little too drunk to take it
alonp with me, and there might be some
body as would foller me for it. F"
Jack slipped the bag in his coat and
both returned to the bar-room
Soon afterwards the p rty broke q. z"
and departed Towhe" wa,''" Wv