The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-08-18
Selett Stbtp.

i Stlfrf statp. -.,s
A Renaissance Of Black Gulch.l
1t was MONDAY at Black Gulch, when
twelve miners were congregsted beneath
the only tree that grew in the vicinitys
while an unfortunate wretch stood on the
back of horse with a moose about his
neck, ready to be launched into eternity
They had formed a circle around the Gull
prit, and were about to hang him, when
he raised his eyes in the direction of a
cloud of dust, which just then arose q
couple of miles distant, and requested a
respite long enough to determine wheth-,
er it was his wife who was coming to bid
him farewell. -, s.,f7 Il; - .,z.e,5 a q.
After few moments consultation
among themselves, the miners granted
his request, and he was lifted from the
horse to :he ground while all eyes were
curiously bent on the cloud of dust that
approached nearer and nearer. n ,t.5.,
jim Bennett turned the tobacco in his
mouth with as much nonchalance as if he
we're not under sentence Of death by the
hastily extemporized court of miners that
stood about him. f.gla 8,w .s9e
"That's Moll." be exclaimed, scanning
the outlines of the horse and rider, who
were furiously dashing over the prairie,
"She came cussed nigh missin' the hang
in, but I'm glad she's come, and l hope
you'll give me few. private words with
her" pssa
This last request elected a grunt OF
| acquiescence from his executioners. and
then Mary Bennett, mounted on o feet
mountain pony, which was covered With
foam, rode up to the group with an air
of bravado that rendered her positively
enchanting from the manner in which see
bore herself. ,ot-. ,oeei,z ..8s
This is bad business, Moll," said
one of the miners, throwing his rife into
/ the hollow of his arm sbut Jim has no
body to blame, but himself He's been
warned over and over again not to come
about these diggings, yet he wonldn't
heed advice. Last night he undertook
his old trick of stealing horses, s,and when
Bill Simpson set about arresting him, he
shot him, just as he did poor Rufus last
spring. 1t was more. on your promises
at that time that he would behave him
self than anything else that we didn'
hang him but the committee won't take
promises any longer and Jim must
swing. Well give you talk of fifteen
minutes with him. and the speakerpull
ed out large silver watch, while bis
companions withdrew to short dis.
tapce. ~...a .a.i- .rE ~
| Moll Bennett was certainly singular
as well as remarkable parsonage, and il
was not a common occurrence to fine
her like on the prairies. She was about
twenty three years of age, with figure
i as graceful and 1.-the as could possibly
be imagined Black hair and eyes, ths
latter bewitchingly bright and beautiful
regular, white teeth, and q complexion
tanned to the brightest hue by exposure
while a character that knew no limit fol
reckless daring had given her a reputa-
:. ton that extended far and wide oyer thai
section of the country. She was, beyond
disputes very beautiful woman, but thert
was q wicked CLEAN in her eyes when she
became angry that caused those In hel
1 Immediate vicinity to look well to theil
safety, for Moll could perpetrate a bloody
! deed as well as the best of them. Sht
was the reputed wife of Jim Bennett, {
i desperado, who lived several miles dis
tant from the miners camp. None kney
from whence she came, for she was, ex
4 ceedingly reticent on thatsubject ;but tb'
4 very fair education which she possessed
forbade the belief that she had been rear
ed on the frontier. g4
| When the minerrhad, ceased speakins
Moll Bennett eyed him with a .supercil
lious air, and, without deigning a reply
, strobe to where, her husband .stoo'
J, bound. 81 could cut you loose, Jim,
| she said, "but it wouldn't be any use.-
| I've only one horse, and, he's done, VI
with hard riding. We can't escape"
g"Tain't of any account, Mol, "replie'
: her husband l"Tm in foritZthis time
t and no mistake, don't mind the dying
but hate to leave you, Moll;yet aoman'
{ got to go some time or other. But
want you to promise me that you'll bur
me uear by the cabin, and that you'lfre
! venge me, too. = Don't forget, Moll,wha
Eve suffered from these fellows in tn
j past, and@andAJim, if he should liv
J to be q an,that he's to hunt the fellow
! who murdered bis father, if any Of ther
t should remain in the country : If the
/ leave these parts,of course he can'ttrac
them-I don't expect it. But mind. Mol
if any oflthem settle here, don't forge
i my last words. You'retoo good looh
& ing, Moll, to be. long without anothe
: mon, and--"9G5lt .got4fosTq ~ 92
+ sHush!" she exclaimed fiercely, 'uon
a of that.nHal il4ila ytaasHa2 2
t sDon't be offended, Moll. III WASH
f going to say anything like doubling yol
but you may want protector, and
won't blame you if YOU -
i "Hush, I say" she repeated. 81 ca
protect myself. l know oil you woul
say, but my life hereafter will be diffel
4 ent from what it has been. Men wi
0 track me like wild beast, for my han
v shall always be red, and shenodded 81,
d nificantly toward the group ofminers.
It "Thank you, Moll," replied Bennett
It II shouldn't have expected any other al
n swer. You know more about the Bib
s and religion than do, and if it's trt
n that we shall meet again somewhere els
o 1 reckon you'll have good account
= give me Of what you did in my memory
a 'Good-by, Moll," cried the miners.
OIL Moll Bennett turned her sharp blae
e eyes toward them and stepped some p
!, ces apart as she bent her eyes steadfas
i ly on the green swarda When she raise
s them again jim Bennett was swinging /
e the necklto the pine tree. ,aaua5 .
y Considering the irregular manner
d which matters of this kind we're perforr
y ed in those days, the proceeding was co
n Quoted with becoming solemnity WIZ
N life was extinct theyscut the body dow
le and offered to convey it whittier Ma
: Bennett desired; hut the woman wi
3 could all the while remain present
ID such dreadful scene and never shed
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