The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-05-08
PEART TIMES on RABBIT CREEE
\ story Of Early California.
BY c. W. CROCKER.

EY c. W. CROCKER.
The hustle among the inhs,uitanis Of La
Porte. the principal MIXING camp ON Rab
hit Creek, As ohserTed through the silver
Grey atmosphere which cncirclcd the town
on the morning of the 10Th of March, 1852,
lndlGated that something unusual was on
me tnpis. Red shifted men, whose faces
Were covered with shaggy Boards whose
hair fell in tangled disorder over their
shoulders, and who wore their pantaloons
stuffed into the tops of their boots, who
carried revolverS and huge bowie-knives
in their belts. and constantly pulled vol
umcs Of smoke from their lips, were to be
seen going from one saloon to another, or
stopping for moment on the only street
OF which the town could boast, for the
purpose of shaking hands with some old
acquaintance or exchanging few words.
The very atmosphere seemed to impress
even the most casual observer that some.
thin" more than the usual dull routine of
mining camp life was about to trans
pirc.
-Four long, weary months had dragged
themselves by since the snow came down
upon Rabbit Greek canyon and put an end
Ia all outdoor operations of the miners.
For four months the little town had been
cut off from all communication with its
neiglihorS. The earth was buried deep
beneath the white shroud which had so
silently fallen upon it. The creek was
bound in letters of ice, and the piercing
blast from the trumpet of the rude Boreas
who sat amongst the Crags high up the
Sierras, had come down through the can
yonS and gulchcs with keenness that
made them cut like razor, and kept ev-
crybody within doors. Four months had
elapsed since the mail had been received
and during all that time the inhabitants
of the camp had eaten their food, made
snow-shoes, and waited patiently for news
from the outer world
\ slight thaw, then followed by a severe
cold snap, occurring few days before the
opening of my sketch. had formed thick
crust upon the snow This crust being
sufficiently strong to support the heaviest
man, its advent was hailed with universal
delight. because it enabled the miners to
go abroad. The reader may rest assured
that after having been held in snowy fet-
tiers so long. the residents were only too
glad to visit the town, where they could
spend a few hours in drinking saloons and
stores, in talking over the prospects of the
coming season or visiting the gambling
house and indulge their passion for gam
bling-a passion that existed in the breast
of nearly every miner in California during
the five Years following the advent of the
mining population.
The gamblers. those who dealt in faro,
monte and other games of chance, and who
followed no other occupation, were de-
lighted with the change. For weeks it
had been dog eat dog with them, and
now the prospect of having a few outsid-
ers to fleece was a source of great gratifi-
cation. In order to celebrate the event,
they had dubbed together, raised purse
of 81 900, and offered it as a prize to the
person who could make the quickest time
on snow-shocs over Il track to be designat-
ed by committee. The contest was to
be free to all who chose to engage in it !;
and it was to witness this race that so
many of the hardy sons of toll came into
La Porte, and their arrival in the village
had caused the hustle alluded to in the
opening paragraph.
La Porte. at the time of which we write,
consisted of half dozen saloons, where
h;,'"~ ''"a Gold ""d e-"'',ns of chance play
ed, two or three stores, where groceries,
mining tools, etc, were kept on hand, a
couple of blacksmith shops, shoe shop
and a hotel. 1t was as flourishing camp
miners on Rabbit Creek were as industri-
Gus and thrifty as any in California
The miners as they came into the town
on the morning referred to, would drop
into saloon, exchange few words with
the inmates, take a drink or two and then
go to another saloon, where the proceed
ings would be repeated. Upon the coun-
tenance of every one could be observed a
look which indicated relief from confine.
ment, determination to enjoy the day,
and Il sort of I-dOn' t-care- for ANYTHING ap-
pearance generally.
The attention of group of persons
standing in front of the hotel was attract
ed to a man who was descending the hill,
at the foot of which the town was built.
He was tall, raw-bOned man of about
thirty years of age, although his stopped
shoulders and swinging gait gave him the
appearance of being much smaller than he
really was.
There was something in the movement
of the man to attract attention; and as he
drew nearer, and better view of his fea-
lures was obtained, the broad, high fore
head and piercing, nut-brown eyes indi-
Gated that he was man equal to any
emergency, and one who could upon occa-
sion WELD powerful force for good or
evil amongst his acquaintances.
Gabe Husker-fOr such was the name
of the person who had become the center
of attractiOn-was the owner of a valuable
mine a couple Of miles above the town. 1t
was generally thought he had large
amount Of gold dust hidden away; and
this belief being shared by the gamblers,
they had made numbcrless efforts to in.
duce him to play, but so far without sue
cess. In fact, Gabe had no love for gam
ing, nor liking for those who managed
games of chance. He regarded all gamb-
lers as thieves, and was no way bashful in
speaking his sentiments. The gamesters,
however, refused to be insulted by him,
because they hoped, ultimately, to be able
to succeed in their designs, when they
would be avenged for all the insults he
had ever given them.
Times are right peart on Rabbit
Creek, amt theye" asked Gabe, as he en-.
tered one Of the saloons, where a number
of persons were standing in front ola long
counter, waiting for drinks that were be-
ing prepared by the bar.keeper.
"Hellow, Gabc, is that your" "1'm
dern glad to see your" flows things
out in the hills" "Many of the boys
comm down today" "By lingo! YOU
look sorter blue round the gills; come up
and name your ruin," exclaimed mum.
Der of voices, and as many hands were ex.
tended to welcome the new arrival.
Amongst those welcoming Gabe was
Harry Seymour, the owner Of one Of the
most valuable claims on the creek-a
good -natured fellow, whose worst enemy
was his appetite; who never visited the
town without getting drunk, and when in
that condition, and unfit for any business,
visiting the gambling houses and losing
heavily. He had been one of the first to