Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-16
Life at the Black Hills.

The tenth day Of March was the coolest
day experienced in the Black hills during
the entire winter. The mercury was down
70 20 degrees below zero and still sinking,
while the snow rolled down in binding, eddy
ing clouds rendering lite out-of-doors almost
impossible. The unfortunates who were en-.
camped in and about the neighboring gulches
fiocked into the dark, cherries cabins and
huddled together in shivering group about
the pitch or pine fires kept up for the Tree
accommodation of all who might seek
warmth and shelter within doors. At least
30 men had congregated in the most promi.
nent store, the largest and best in Custer.
The mud floor was rendered muddier by the
thawing of the ice and snow which dropped
in small streams from the rough wrappngs
Of the cosmopolitan assemblage.
The store is a deserted military barracks, a
large. long, barn-like affair, containing beds,
blacksmith's forge, carpenters bench, bar
room, grocery and notion store, and report
er's desk. The center of attraction was the
bar, which was being literally patronized by
the shivering crowd.
A party of young men from Salt Lake and
the mines Of Nevada came rushing into the
store, and, with loud, boisterous braggadocio
took possession of the bar. Ranging themselves
in row in its front, they called for 'some
o that ar licker." Round after round Of
whiskey was poured down and still they stood
and talked and swore aud laughed. They
had just arrived from Cheyenne after a 20
days voyage, and were about to separate
and each go his own way, some to the north,
others south, and two or three to remain !;
and this was the farewell drink. For fully
two hours they stood before the bar, pouring
down whiskey, and about l o'clock started
for the door, there their teams stood shiver.
ing in the storm.
Alexander Shaw and Tom Milligan were
partners. both from Salt Lake, both young,
rough, but still affectionate friends, just on
the point Of shaking hands before parting.
They reached the door and rushed forth,
shouting and yelling as drunken men often
do. Milligan drew his revolver and fred in
the air.
"Fire lower, Tom, or you'll hit some of
u.s." said a companion.
Too late the pistol was raised again by
the reelng man. There was a flash, a re-
port, aud Alex Shaw reeled and fell across
the threshold of the door.
"Good God Tom, what have you done
Did you shoot Aeck, Tom ?" said one Of the
party.
"No, he's only possumiug, boys" answered
Shaw. cd d-n you, Aleck, and come
and take drink"
The reckless shooter staggered to the pros
trate form, which lay upon its face, and,
sezing him by the coat-colar, turned it over.
A CHASTITY, sickening sight was presented
to view. The pale face was striped with
blood, which oozed out of small hole in the
forehead. The bullet had pierced through
the brain, and had lodged beneath the scull
upon the back Of the head. For q moment
the drunken man stared down upon his
friends bloody face and then his counte-
nance assumed deadly pallor, his eyes be-.
came fixed with horror. lie was sObered.
Turning to his Mortified companions he said
as he threw his pistol down: "Boys, |
didn't 60 to do it. I'll swear | didn't mean
to kill him." Then, bursting into tears, he
clasped his hands to his face, and sobbed like
child.
"Ie was the best friend had in the world,
boys, and l loved him like brother. Oh,
God, what have l done What have /
done !"
'Let's hang him." suggested some excita-
Bile individual behind the halEsobered group
of Salt Lake men.
"No, no Mono o. that ere business Just
yet in Custer The man must have trial !"
said citizen coOlly, as he drew his revolver.
81 arrest you, sir, in the name of the citi-
zens of Custer" said Peter Mckay, the. mer-
chant, and Milligan stood meekly awaiting
the grasp Of the law.
"Wholl dare to arrest him ?" said one of
the drunken Salt Lakers "You let go Of
him, you Peter Mckay. You've got no
legal authority to arrest him, so just take
your claws of him or m
"This is my authority" said Peter Nc
Kay, drawing his pistol. 81 am a citizen of
Custer, and intend TO turn this man over 10
the city marshal. Who dares to interfere
with mel"
"No one !" answered one or two Of the by
ISLANDERS, and half-dozen pistols flashed out
from their scabbards, and, for several min