The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-11-15
A CALIFORNIA HEROINE

James Bateman was one ofthe first
Americans who fairly settled dow in Cali
fornis after the great rush III lS49. He
was unusually fortunate in his mining
and unlike the majority, knew when he
had gotten enough. Sending to 1.-The
states for his wife and children, chose a
pretty situation few miles from where
stood the one establishment that then
const ituted Fiddletown-a meeting hall,
bar-room, restaurant. and a concert
| hall, all in one. There, at a heavy out
| lay he erected a two story log house,
which, neatly hswn both inside and out,
was for years considered marvel OF
beauty andrefnement. A wide veranda
surrounded the building. To ensure
GOODNESS with dryness, this veranda was
raised some three feet above the ground
and left open for the free circulation OF
air. There was large cellar. Upon
each OF the four sides there was a window
some two feet square, protected by
strong bars of wood, looking out upon
the open space beneath the veranda.
Bateman's family consisted of wife
| three III II anu WV IVY
| the oldest thirteen years of age-and,
his sister. For several years they Ell
ioyed peaceful, quiet life, that would
have been happy, only for one fact
! Bstemsn WAS last becoming a confirmed
drunkard. 1t was very seldom that
nightfall found him sober; and from Il
strong. clear-witted man, he was rapid
" becoming trembling, unnervod i'm
| beetle.
1t was at this time that Joaquin Muir
eta began writing his name i'll characters
of blood and fire throughout California.
Twice Bateman had lost valuable
horses, stolen by men of the gang; once
he had exchanged shots with the marau.
ders. Exasperated, Bstesman cast aside
his whiskey bottle and formed
company of men for the
purpose of riding the country OF
this scourge; but soon relasped into his
| old habits, for drink prematurcly aged
him and he could not stand the fatigue.
Still he always gladly furnished mounts
for those who did take the field, and his
hatred for the bandit increased with
every day.
So it was that James Bateman be-
came a marked man. and finally Joa-
ouin Murieta gave his lieutenant. Man
ucl Garcia. or Three fingered Jack, Z"
| free permission to work his will upon
| the settler and his family. AS matter
of course. the "man of blood lost no
time in dealing his blow.
One evening Bateman was returning
on horseback from Fiddletown. where he
had been ION spree" for three days
past. Having lost all the money he had
with hun, h. was only about half drunk
when ne drew near his dwelling. A sight
met his eyes that wholly sobered him.
The buildings set apart for his laborers
were now occupied by number of arm
ed men, whose sppcance, dress, weapons,
and all but too plainly proclaimed their
identity, even had he not seen two bleed
inc. mangled bodies lying near. They
were portion of Muricts's band, who
had surpried and murdered the laborers.
The dwelling appeared just as usual;
the doors and heavy shutters were
closed. Unless Bateman was at home,
no one was permitted to enter or en-
crge after sunset.
Batcman had just time to note this,
when he saw man steal cautiously to-
wards the building. and vanish beneath
the ve-anda. closely followed by another
and another. He knew then that the
outlaws had not yet effected al entrance,
and a raw of hope entered his heart.
II was lust possible that he could procure
assistance at Fiddletown in time to
avert the tragedy, and knowing that this
was the only chance, he turned and
dashed away at full speed.
Meanwhile Mrs Batemsn had become
aware that there was michel in the
wind. As the farm hands, on quitting
work for the day. paused by the house
for q drink. she babe one OF them saddle
q horse and come to her for message
che wi.hrd to send to Fiddletown to her
husband The man she knew was faith u
| and could be trusted; 30 when an heur
! elsspci with out his returning, che became
sIarmcd and peercd out of one OF the
IoonboIes that overlooked the stables
From this she saw the shadowy figures
approach. and disappear below the YER
anda; and. knowing what cause the out,
laws had .or hating Bateman, she had
little difficulty in dlvining the peril, that
threatened. But she came OF true sold
iery stock; and instead Of yielding tc
terror rs would Seem natural, she resol'
we'd to make good fight.
Communicating her fears to her sister
in-Isw. Mrs Batemsn first locked the
door of the chamber In which hei
three children were sleeping, and care
fnllv looked to their means of defence
There were two revolers and a rifle, al
loaded. Though not expert in their use
the woman understood firing and load
mo these. 1t was a portion of their Call
forria education-necessarlly So.
As they listened intenty, they could
hear a faint, scratching grating SOUND
below. 1t was the enemy at work upor
the bars of the windows. Or seasoned
oak. their progress was but slow Tor they
worked cautiously; evidently hoping u
srrnrise the settler and his family: and
tbrs the women waited and watched fol
fully two hours.
Then they heard slight splinterin,is
NOISE, a moment later cat-llke foot lali'
mon the ground floor of the cellar to
rether with cautious whisperings; ahS
then the stairs creaked family oenes'i
the weight of q man.
u will shoot frst-you take next
! muttered Mrs, Bateman to her sister-ih
law. =
They were not kept much longer IL
,rsnonse The latch was raised, and 6
shadowy figure stood before them
With rapidly beating heart but hand a
steady as though she was merely Prac
ticing upon an unan'mate target, MIS-
70 Bstemsn raised her revolver, and, witt
the muzzle almost touching the phantom
like figure, fred.