Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-05-10
LIFE AT TEE BLACK HILLS.
WINTER DAYS TRACED
IN CUSTER PARK.

coolest day experienced in the Black
Hills during the entire winter. The
mercury was down to 2Oo below
zero and was still sinking, while the
snow rolled down in binding, eddy
ing clouds, rendering life out Of
doors almost impossible. The unfor-
Inmates who were encamped in
and about the neighboring gulches
hocked into the dark, cheerless cab
ms and huddled together in SILVER
ing groups about the pitch or pine
fires kept up for the free accommo-
dation of all who might seek warmth
and shelter within doors. At least
thirty men had congregated in the
most prominent store, the largest
and best in Custer. The mud floor
was rendered muddier by the thaw-
ing of the ice and snow which drip
ped in small streams from the rough
wrappings of the cosmopolitan as
semblage.
The store is deserted military
barracks, a large, low, barn-lilxe at
fair, containing beds, blacksmith's
forge, carpenters bench, bar-room,
grocery and notion store, and re-
porters desk. The center of attrac-
ton 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 bragadocia,
took possession of the bar. Ranging
themselves in row in its front, they
cal Ell for "some O that ar Ticker"
Round after round Of whisky was
pured down, and still they stood and
talked, and swore and laughed. They
had just arrived from Cheyenne after
a twenty days voyage, and were
about to separate and each go his
own way, some to the north, others
south, and one or two remain; and
this was the farewell drunk. For
fully two hours they stood before the
bar, pouring down whisky, and about
l o'clock started for the door, where
their teams stood shivering in the
storm.
Alexander Shaw and Tom Milligan
were partners, both from Salt Lake,
both young, rough, but affectionate
friends, just on the point of shaking
hands before parting. They reached
the door and rushed forth, shouting
and yelling like drunken men often
do. Milligan drew his revolver and
shot it in the air.
Fire lower, Tom, or you'll hit
some of us" said a companion.
Too late! the pistol was raised
again by the reeling man. There
was a flash, report, and Alecll Shaw
reeled and fell across the threshold
of the door.
Good God! Tom, what have you
done! Did you shoot Aleck Tom y
said one of the party.
mo, he's only possuming, boys"
answered Milligan. 'G--d d--n you;
Aleck, come aud take drink"
The reckless shooter staggered to
the PROSTATE form which lay upon
its face, and Selling him by the coat
collar, turned it over. A ghastly,
sickening sight was presented to
view The pale face was striped
with blood, which oozed out of
small hole in the forehead The bull
let had pierced through the brain,
and had lodged beneath the skull on
the back part of the head. For a
moment the drunken man stared
down into his friends bloody face,
then his countenance assumed
deadly palor, his eyes became fixed
with horror. He was sobered. Turn
ing round to his Mortified compan-
ions he said, as he threw his pistol
down: Boys, | didn't go to do it.
I'll swear | didn't mean to kill him"
Then bursting into tears he clasped
his hands to his face and stood sob
blng like child.
He was the best friend ! had in
the world, boys, and loved him like
brother. Oh, God, what have |
done. what have / done y
Lets hang him., suggested some
eXcltahle individual behind that half
sobered group OF Salt Lake men.
NO, no. None o that ere bust
ness just yet in Custer. The man
must have trial." says a citizen,
cody, as he drew his revolver
Il arrest you, sir, in the name of
The citizens of Custer" said Pete
Mckay, the merchant, and Milligan