Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-08-11
A Golden Bullet.

In 1851, when new gold fields were
being discovered every day in the east
ern portion of California, there were a
number of persons who, tired of the un-
certainties of mining, were looking
around through the valley for some spot
10 settle down into agricultural pur-
suits. Several families crossed the bay
from San Francisco, and pitched their
tents on either side of San Leandro
Greek, about eight miles above Oakland,
at point less than one mile from the
foot of the mountains.
Among these settlers was carpenter,
named Robert Gilmore, originally from
Pennsylvania, where he had a family.
Deserving them for woman named
Elizabeth Miller, the two proceeded to
the Golden State together; and after a
lot of hard knocks, we find them keep
ing an inn AZ the foot of the mountains
near San Leandro. At this time, about
the only frequenters of the house were
the Spaniards and ''greasers; and as
money was very scarce with them, the
Gilmores did a very poor business in
the way of cash.
Robert Gilmore was the most con-
summate scoundrel the world ever pro-
duced. He was apparently about 45
wears old, and carried face that would
deceive any one. He must have be-
longed to good family; for, besides a
thorough education, ne was polished in
his manner, clean in person, and care
full in dress. At tale of want, his
fine, open countenance expressed COM
miseration in every feature, and he
would he the first man TO decry villainy
Of any sort. He enjoyed the confidence
Of great many Of the early settlers.
and his tavern was sometimes frequented
by capitalists and stock dealers from
san Francisco.
Ii was in the early part of April, and
near the hour of midnight; black clouds
had been scudding along the mountain
tops, and the wind was bowling against
the swinging sign of ''Gilmore's
Rancho" as the inn was called Big
drops had commenced TO fall from the
heavens, and all nature seemed con-
vulsed in agony as thunderbOlt after
thunderbolt reverberated through the
gorge. IL was a night that was long
remembered. Rain had seldom fallen
80 late in the season, and a thunder
storm had never been witnessed in that
valley before. Soon the water was
pouring down in torrents and the creek
was sending an angry flood-offering TO
the bay.
A horseman, dripping with wet,
dashed TO the inn, threw himself from
his steed, and dropped with the butt of
a heavy whip on the floor.
.'What no! House, say" ne cried.
Lights were lit within, the bolts
thrown back, and Gilmore threw open
the door of welcome TO the drenched
stranger.
"a fearful night, sir. You are lucky
10 find a shelter so soon. Take some
thing TO drive out the damp"
"Thank you; don't care if ! do,
answered the guest. And I'll be
obliged to you if | can get bed. l
don't s'pose there's any use in trying
10 do anything for my mare, Is there?
at won't hurt her, my dear sir. A
California horse don't want anything to
keep out the damp"
And their glasses were filled with
liquor and drank off, Gilmore taking an
inventory of the strangers effects.
HE carried '.blacksnake" heavily
loaded at the butt, as could easily be
seen by the swing of the whip, as the
stranger caught it near the middle, and
swayed il backward and forward like
the pendulum of a clock Ii was only
an involuntary movement; yet its mo-
tions did not escape the quick eye OF the
landlord.
.sThat's a heavy whip you carry"
observed he. as the stranger looked up
and caught his eye on it.
"Yes, 1 reckon il is" answered the
man laughing. Its pretty heavy,
repeated he; and unscrewing the fiange
poured out on the redwood counter
mass of gold pieces.
The innkeeper's eyes sparkled at the
welcome sight. He turned the old day
book that was used as a register toward
the guest, and striking an attitude that
would have done credit TO a first-class
actor, he laughingly exclaimed, "A
bed? Ay, We shall have the best bed
the house affords, This castle is at
your service, sir-command me-"
The traveller took the profiered pen,
and traced the entry in easy, flowing
hand: "Isaac Askew, Supt. yellow
Jack Mine, Virginia City, Nevada.
..Ah. you re from the Comstock Lode T.
How are the mines working now, sir?"
"Beyond all expectation, the richest
lode in the world. But the storm still
RACES, and that poor mare of mine needs
some care. I've rode hard to-day, and,
but for the storm, would have made
San Francisco my stopping place. Let
us drink, and LET the storm take care OF
ITSELF"
The miner shivered as he looked out
into the night, and drew long breath
of satisfaction that he was so securely
housed from the storm. His dress was
the ordinary one of the miner in all its
outward seeming: but as he threw oil
an outer coat OF pilot cloth, the white
shirt, stylish cut-waistcoat, and care
fully tied c-arat, betrayed his status at
! glance
. isaac Askew was one Of the best met
allurgists on the coast; and to his skill
and energy the success of the new mines
Al Gold Hill and Virginia City were
mainly due. Under his management
the rich deposits of silver were brought
10 the surface in immense quantities,
and his mine was becoming famous
throughout the land. He was now on
business relating to the company, and
carried a considerable sim of money on
his person.
The cupiditv of the inn-keeper was
Immediately aroused on beholding the
shining mass of gold in the possession
Of the miner; and although he affected
hilarity in keeping with his open
manner, he was busily concocting
plan to relieve him of it.
The inn fronted towards the north at
rhe if,nofion of Mission San Josp and the