Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-12-18
LYNCH LAVA STORY OF THE
LEAD MINES

LEAD MINES
In the year 1873, small stern-wheel
steamer left the broad track of the Missis-
sippi which it had been blowing all the
way from st. Louis, and entered the Fevre
River, to pick its way up the tOrtuous
windings of that stream finally running
its PROV into the mud at the Galena land
ing.
On board were the usual complement
of officer and men, together with eight or
ten strangers from below, who were going
to the lead mines. They were already en-
gagged, with one exception, and that a
young man about twenty five years Of age,
whose name upon the boats register APP
peared as Richard Smalley.
He was evidently unused to work, vet
he had but little money, so could not pos
Sibiy be a speculatOr; and he was very re-
ticent regarding his business. The facts
were, he was a gambler, who had con-
ceived the idea of going to the lead mines
for the purpose of replenishing his ex-
hausted eXchequer from the hard-earned
wages Of the miners.
He received no welcome from the
crowd who had been waiting for half an
hour for the boat to come; but he did not
notice that He took his carpet-bag in
hand and went ashore with the rest, with
whom he had become acquainted, and who
intro luced him to the "bOss" as a man
who desired a job. The question of
wages was soon settled, and he, in COM
pany with the rest, started for the dig
gins"
Soon he exhibited an evident dislike for
work, and would have been discharged
from the mines, but he had gone to the
''boss" and begged to be retained; and
for a while he did better.
From the log house which was their
boarding place, many articles of value,
such as clothing, watches and money, had
been stolen since the coming of Smalley;
and no clew could be obtained of the
missing articles.
As such a thing as stealing had been
unknown previous to his coming, and
considering the proverbial honesty of the
regular Welsh and Cornish miners, sus-
picion was quite naturally directed to
Smalley as the perpetratOr of the theft.
A close watch was kept upon his move
ments, which resulted in nothing but a
loss of sleep to the watchers, for a long
time, until one night about twelve o'clock
he was seen to dress himself and proceed
to the chest of comrade, from which he
distracted a watch and a small sum of
money. Immediately the detectives
awok the "boss" and Smalley was taken
in charge and securely bound. Nothing
was done with him until morning, when
the "boss" opened his court, and called
his gang of miners to act as jurymen.
The stolen goods being found upon his
person was sufficient evidence of his
guilt, and the question was not whether
he should be punished, but what the ma
ture of the punishment should be.
II PROPOSE" said the "boss," after he
had explained the nature Of the case, ''that
we fog him, and |, therefore, order that
he shall receive fifty blows upon his bare
back, from hazel bush CATO nike tails,
well laid on by the man whose property
he has stolen"
The sentence was received with cheers
by the miners; in silence by the culprit.
He was stripped to the waist, and tied
to small tree, while the men who had
been sent for whips soon returned, and
everything was in readiness. The man
who had been selected to do the whipping
came forward, and, taking one of the bun
dies of rods, began laying on with will.
Smalley stood it very well until twenty
blows had been administered, when he
began to cry enough" and begged to be
let off with what he had received.
mo you don't, said the leader; "'taint
every day we catch bird like you, and
we are bound to get the worth of our
money! Amid cries of rage and pain
and angry imprecations, the remaining
thirty blows were given, and the majesty
of the law" was vindicated.
In those days of no law, the laws of
Illinois were better than they are at pres
ent, for 1t must be admitted that this State
has enacted some of the most ridiculous
laws eXtant.
After Smalley had been released and
was again clothed, he entered the house,
and presently appeared with his carpet
bag. Outside he paused moment and
said to the ''boss."
Il will kill you for your share in this
work! l swear it, and as true as God lets
me live, | will do it."
80, get along out of this" replied the
boss, Eand if | ever catch you sneaking
around here l will give you another fog
ging."
Smalley walked away and was soon
ont of sight. 1t was ascertained that he
took the first boat down the river, and in
time new miners came, and the circum
stance was forgotten. 1t would have
heen better for some of them if it had
been remembered.
Nearly nine years had passed away
vet the superintendent was the same ole
sboss.n He had married, and family 0
children had sprung up around him
making his home happy. About thu
time one of the children returned iron
school one night, and rushing into tn
house, asked, "Where is sister Allie?"
"Why, you ought to know" replied, ne
: mother; "she went with you to schoo
this morning"
"Yes, / know. But just after schoo