The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-15
JOAQUIN Miller.

A correspondent of the Yreka (Cal. J
Journal narrates the following in regard
to the poet of the Sierras:
The poets pedigree and place of birth
are generally known. He has many
queer habits and eccentricities, but there
is enough of the noble and generous in
his composition to compensate for his
faults, whatever they may be. I first
saw him at the mines on McAdam's
Creek, California. He was then fresh
from the wilds of Oregon. His long,
tow-colored hair reached to his should
ers, and, taken altogether, he was about
the greenest looking specimen around
the diggins.
Literature was then as now his ambi-
ton, and he kept constantly scribbling.
| was several times favored with 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
the rules of grammar, and when told by
me that he must reconstruct his poetry,
observing a rhythmical arrangement of
words, and giving each line 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
"Oh, d-n the rith-um and measure
ment there's heideas, 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 those
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 he meant
mischief, thereafter would let him
alone.
In the year 1859 Joaquin worked for
Hurst & 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 to the logical influence of his
revolver, and with the most satisfactory
success. He also mounted horse be-
longing to Hurst 81 Co., which he rode
off and sold, paying himself with the
proceeds, and thereby obtaining both
substantial and poetical justice. The
law, however, did not recognize such an
irregular proceeding, but rather consid-
cred it in the light of felony. Hurst
procured warrant for his arrest, and
accompanied Sheriff Bradley, of Dead
wood, to put it in execution. Joaquins
cabin was then on McAdam's Creek.
The poet was smoothing his cherished
tresses when he saw the men approach
ing, and, reluctantly dropping the
brush, he leisurely started up the noun
tain. Not needing Bradley's order to
halt, that officer fired two shots from his
pistol. Joaquin replied by shooting
twice at Hurst, who was still approach
ing the fugitive. Joaquin now COM
manded Bradley to stop. The mandate
not being needed, that officer received a
bullet through the thigh that just grazed
the main artery, which stopped further
pursuit.
The poet, thoroughly disgusted with
civilization, shook the dust of McAdam's s
Creek from his feet, and in the pursuit
of liberty and happiness we next hear
of him among the Indians of Pit River
Valley, where report said he went ex-
tensively into the "horse business" with
peor Lo, until the Sheriff of Shasta
County made him "more trouble"