The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1875-09-03
A CALIFORNIA "REMINISCENCES.
The Pony Express Boy Brings New,
From tiAe East-Irs Effect ON IN.
Miners.

1t is not much of story, but then
sit down and I'll tell it to you.
We were mining on Grizzly Flat at
the time this was during the second
year of the war, (sixty two The pony
express reached us in the evening, and
whenever it told of a battle BEING
fought 1t was deemed sufficient cause
for cessation Of work, and general
jubilee next day.
One evening after supper, four or
five OF us sauntered over to Phil
Evans cabin at the head Of the Flat
and after exhausting our pipes and
telling of the prospects of our respect
i've claims, engaged in social game of
bean poker. There were four of US in
the game; Old Phil, Dave Priest.
Bowers and myself. Thompson, 1--WE
never knew his given name) and
Charley Hungerford took seats near the
door and entered into political dis
cEssion. 1t was case of extremes:
Hungerford was an hbolitionist, Thomp.
son was Southerner and rebel of the
bitterest kind. The discussion grew
warmer by degrees and Thompson
became very abusive. We expected to
see single handed knock down before
the next draw, when We heard the APP
proaching steps of the pony. Union"
cried the rider. rs he threw the Sacra-
mento Daily Union. the miners well
come guest, into the door. Hunger
ford was considered the best reader in
the camp, AMI always acted in that
capacity. He read of battle being
fought-a great Union victory. Thomp-
son became more abusive than ever.
We didn't pay much attention to him,
but set about making arrangements for
time next day. A couple of ansils,
al iron ring and half keg of powder
comprised the artillery With which to
fire the morning salute. Morning came
the sound of our primitive guns
echoed and re-echoed through the
era nd old canyon.
The callons-handed, backed
miners heard the glad tidings, and by
nine clock Francis Bro. = saloon was
filed by hearty lot Of fellows in gray
shirts, duck pants and slouch hats.
"All hands take a drink" was the
plainest way in which tho miners could
express their patriotism; aud drink
they did. Federate and Confederate
joined ut the bar, and the utmost good
humor prevailed. The staid old Deacon,
Spinney, implored them not to make
him drink they didn't, but they
anointed him. George Ten Eyck
poured wine on his bald head until it
squashed in his boots. am of the
track here; it is Thompson I mean to
tell about. Thompson had no trouble
picking fuss with Nate Dixon. Nate
was my friend. / took his hand and
struck Thompson. He wheeled around
as though he was addressing some one
behind him, but did not fall. Then
word he went 70 his cabin,
folded his blankets and left the camp.
There was mining excitement at
Squaw Valley, near Lake Tahoe, the
spring. Everybody went;
the narrator with the rest. After re-
manning awhile / returned, bringing
three extra horses with me, leading one
and driving two before me. 1t was a
Journey of about fifty miles, over rough
through deep shaded cam
yons, among mammoth pines, whose
needed branches caught the fresh
mountain breeze and transformed 1t
into a dismal awe-inspiring murmur.
Heavens and earth! how shuddered
as / rode along that lonely mountain
trail. My chest expanded. my heart
arose within me and beat faster and
heavier until it fairly shook nay frame.
My eyes were dilated and my ears
pricked to catch every sound. / rode