The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-15
Bret Harte's Lecture on the ArgO-


nauts OF ls40.
A very fair audience assembled at
Washington Hall last evening to hear
Bret Harte lecture on the "Argonauts Of
40" Mr.. Harte was introduced by Hon.
R. H. Cochran and took his position at
the reading desk arranged for him in the
middle Of the stage, q handsome, dark
haired gentleman, graceful in form and
carriage, and apparently about thirty
five years Of age. The lecture was de-
livered In a pleasant voice and with an
agreeable though somewhat laDguid man
ner.
Mr.. Harte said:
LADIES AND GRNTI.RMEN-I propose to
tell you the story Of the ArgonRuts Of
1910. l propose to talk to you Of an
episode OF American lie, as quaint and
typical as that Of the early Greek adven'
lurers-whose name have borrowed Ior
its title-s kind OF crusade without "a
cross, an exodus without prophet. II
is not a pretty story; do not know that
it Is even instructive; do not know that
it Is strictly true. II is ola life OF which
perhaps the best that can be said is, that
it exists no longer,
Let me first give you an idea Of the
country which these people reCreated; OF
the civilization they displaced. For more
than three hundred years California was
Of all Christian countries the least known.
1t was set down on old English maps in
very strange locality, apd the history OF
its discovery was wrapped IN the glow
and glamour OF Spanish tradition. For
centuries the old freGboOters had Cr1ised
along its shores and plundcred the Phil
ippine galleons. Sir Francis Drake lay
forsix weeks on the coast. Only within
ten years band Of gold diggers came up
on q large piece Of wax in the broken ribs
of rotten. ship. California was Ut once
fred with the discovery, and in lew
wcoks hundreds were searching the ruins
for the lost treasure Of the Philippine gal
leon. Arlast they found lew cutlasses
with the Queens broad arrow on their
plates, which only showed that the enter
prising and gallant Francis Drake had
been there before them.
These were peaceful pastoral days Tor
California. There were happy, tranquil
DAYS In which the solt.handed LatiDs
lolled in the shade and enjoyed their ease,
and imagined they had found a new
pain; and the Indian neophytes dressed
nearly, but not extensively, in mud.
But In time q political and social earth
quake more powerful than any convul.
sion ever knew, shook the foundation Of
the land, and in the disrupted strata Of
the earth the favorite treasure glittered
before their eyes, Then q change came
upon them suddenly, which had been
strengthened by chain Of circumstances.
1t was not the finding OF few grains OF
gold by laborer at Suffers mill; but for
years the way had been slowly opening
and the doors unlocked for the people
who were to profit by the discovery. The
real pioneers Of the great change were
Catholic Missionary and Brigham Young.
Salt Lake City was an oasis In which the
weary travellers across the Plains could
rest and refresh themselves, and made all
the subsequent grand achievements posi-
bic.
The Argonauts, drawn to the Great
West by the discovery Of gold, were
lawless, irreligious band of men. They
were given to no superstitious rites, en-.
Unused by no high ambition, and skeptical
even of the existence Of the golden fleece
until they saw it. Embarked in an ad.
venture, they accepted, with kind Of
calm philosophy, whatever 1t might
bring. III there Is no gold, what are you
going 10 do with those sluice.boxes{"
said newly arrived fortune seeker TO his
friend. "They will make first class col.
FMS" was the reply OF man who had
calculated all the chances. II they did
not burn their vessels behind them, they
at least left the good ship ArgO to lie idle
at the wharf. The sailors were shipped
only for the outward voyage. Nobody
expected to return, even il he anticipated
failure. An AIgonaut thought he recog-
nized in the bOatman who pulled him
ashore and charged him tho modest sum
Of fifty dollars for the favor, q brother
classmatc Of Oxford. "Were you not"
be ASKED, "seDior wrangler in the class Of
1882" "Yes," said the other significant.
ly, "but l was also stroke oar in the re-
gatta." At my first. breakfast at a res.
taurant in San Francisco l saw waiter
who strongly resembled man l had
once looked upon as the perfection Of po-
Likeness. lsoon learned that my suspicion
was correct, and with view Of lettering
bis condition IHsked the proprietor if ii
would be possible to fill his place. liam
afraid not" said the proprietor, with a
tone Of suspicion, and he added signif
cantly, 81 don't think you would suit. :"
Laughter. 1t was this wonderful adapt.
ability that formed the principal element
Of their success. They were fertile in ex
pedients. There was until lately house
10 San Francisco whose foundations were
boxes Of tobacco. When the shipper
got his tobacco there he found the mar
ket for tobacco glulted, but material Tor
foundations was scarce and commanded
a high price, and he used his goods for
that purpose. Much Of their adaptabili-
ity was due 10 the character Of the peo-
pie. What that character was, perhaps
It would not be well for me 10 say; at least
would prefer 10 defer criticism until
had arrived ut safe distance from the
historian. Ia distant parts Of the Coun-
try they had lett families, friends, and, in
some cases, officers Of justice, perplexed
and hewildered. There were husbands
who had deserted their own wives, and,
in some extreme cases, the wives Of
others. Nor was it possible to tell from
their superficial exterior whether they
were or were not named IN this general
indictment. Some Of the best men had
the worst record, and some Of the worst
rejoiced in Bpotless Puritan pedigree.
"Ihe boys seem 10 have taken a fresh
deal all round" said old John Oakhurst,
land there's no knowing whether man
will turn up jack or king"
1t may be said of John Oakhurst Kim
self, that he came Of q family who regard.
ed games OF chance as sinful, and who
q 4 4 L.