The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-22

derstand how good can come out OF evil,
no details of this contribution ever APP
peared in print But few months
thereafter there did appear at Hanney 5
thin-chested, large-headed youth, with a
heavily-loaded mule, and announced
himself as duly accredited by the afore-
mentioned Society to preach the gospel
among the miners. The boys received
him cordially, and Pentecost offered him
nightly hospitality of curling up TO sleep
in front of the barroom fireplace. His
mules load proved to consist largely of
tracts which he vigorously distributed,
and which the boys used to wrap up dust
in. He nearly starved while trying to
learn to cook his own food, SO some of
the boys took him in and fed him. He
tried to persuade the boys to stop drink
ing, and they good-naturedly laughed,
but when he attempted to break up the
"little game" which was the only
amusement, Of the camp-the only steady
amusement, for fights were short and
irregular-the camp rose in its wrath, and
the young man hastily rose and went
for his mule.
But at the time of which this story
treats u missionary would have Jared
even worse, for the boys were wholly
absorbed by very unrightous, but still
very darling, pleasure. Apair of veteran
knifst, who mad fought each other al
sight for almost ten years every time they
met, had again found themselves in the
same settlement, and Hanneys had the
honor to be that particular settlement.
Judge Briggs. one of the heroes, had
many years before discussed with his
neghbor, Billy Bent, the merits of two
opposing brands of mining shovels. In
the course of the chat they drank cOnsid-
crably villainous whisky and naturally
restored to knives rs final arguments.
The matter might have ended here, had
either gained decided advantage over
the other. but both were Skilliul-each
inflicted and received so near the same
number of wounds. that the wiSest men III
camp v ere unable to decide when whip
ped. Now, to average CALIFORNIA; in
the mines this ia n most distressing state
, of affairs; the spectators and friends of
the combatants waste a great deal OF time,
LIQUOR and blood on the subject, while
! the combutantS themselves feel unspcak-
ably uneasy on the neutral ground be-
tween victory and defeat At Sonora,
where Billy and the Judge had their
first encounter, there was no verdict, SO
the Judge Indignantly shook the dust
from his feet and went elsewhere.
Soon Billy happened in at the same place,
and Il set to occureda ut sight, in which the
average was not disarrangcd. Both men
went about for month or two in II patch
ed-up condition, and then Billy roamcd
off, to be soon met by the Judge, with
the result. Both men were known by
reputation all through the gold regions
and the advent of either ut any gulCh,
or "washn', was the best advertisement
the saloon-keepers could desire. In the
East. hundreds of men would have tried
to reason the men out Of this fcud, and
some few would have forcibly separated
them while fighting, but in the diggns
any interference in such matters is con-
sdered impertincnt, and deserving OF
punishment.
IIannev's had been fairly excited for
Il week, for the Judge had arrived the
week before, and his points had been
carefully scrutinized and weighed, time
and again, by every man in the camp.
There seemed ,nothing unusual about
him-he was of middle size, had long
hair and beard, not unpleasant express
ion, and very dirty clothes; he never
Jumped claim, always took his whiskey
straight, played as fair game Of poker
as the average of the boys, never stole
mule whittier than Mexican. The boys
had just about aScertaincd all this, and
made their "bind' bets on the result of
the next fight when the whole camp was
convused with the Intelligence that
Billy Bent had also arrived. Work
Immediately ceased, except in the immcd-
ate vicinity Of the champions, and the
BOYS stuck close to the Chapel, that
being the spot whore the encounter
should naturally take place. Miners
thrungcd in from fifty miles around,
and nothing but special mule express
saved the camp from the horror of Pen
tccost'S bar being inadequate 20 the de-
mand. Between straight bets. and
"hcdging most of tbs golddust in camps
had been "put up for bet is the only
California backing Of an opinion. As
the men did not seem to seek each other
the boys had ample time to grind things
down to pint, as the camp con ,iscly
expressed il, and the matter had given
excuse for dozen minor fights, when
order was suddenly restored one after
noon by the entrance of Billy and his
neighbors, Just as the Judge and his
ueighbors were finishing a drink.
The boys Immediately and silently
formed a ring, on the outer edge OF
which were masscd all the men who had
been outside, and who came pouring in
like flies before a shower. No one
squatted or Rugged the wall, for 1t was
understood that these two men fought
only with knives, so the spectators were
in state of abject safety.
The Judge, after settling for the
drinks. turned. and saw for the first
time his enemy,
Hello Billy" said he pcasantly;
diets take "a drink first
Billy, who was Il red-haircd man,
with swapping turtle mouth, Dut hot "
vicious looking man for all that, briefly
replied, "All right and these two de-
termined enemies clinked their glasses
with the unconcern of mere social drink
ers.
But, after this, they proceeded prompt
" to business: the Judge, who was
rather slow on his guard, was the owner
of II badly-cut arm within three minutes
by the bar keepers watch, but not until
h. had given Billy, who was parrying II
thurst, an ugly dish in his left temple.
There was busy hum during the
bets on first blood ard the combat
ants very considerably retrained from
doing serious injury during this temper
arv distraction, but within five minutes
more they had exchanged chest wounds,
both to Slight to be dangerous.
Betting became furious-each man
fought so splcndidly, that the boys were
wild with delight and enthusiasm.
Ra,s v,n-n roarpd hack and forth and