The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-01-16
Prospectors' Superstition.
From tho Austin New Reveille.

From tho Austin New Reveille.
first appearance CT clergyman in Tus-
carora was signalized by the burning of
Grand Prize hosting works: and that on
Sunday last the, Rev. S. p. Kelly preach,
I dan that camp and the next day the
Navajo Company discharged forty two
miners. It is an old superstition that
preachers bring bad luck to mining
camp, and that with the advent of church,
es and ministers good times depart. The
mention of this fact recalls circum-
stance which happencd&in that connec-
ton in White Pine, in the early and flush
days of that district.
Red Frank Wheeler and Billy Wake
field kept "the store' of the town of Ham
ilton, the establishment combining in
itself store, saloon, hotel, post-officc and
express office, and consequently being a
place Of popular resort. One day, after
the mail and express had been distributed
and the crowd which usually thronged to
the store on the arrival of the stage had
somewhat thinned out, prospector sat
on barrel reading the Repeile, which in
those days carried the freshest news to
White Pine, as all communication was
via Austin. Seated on the box beside the
prospector was meek, oily looking per-
sonage, evidently new arrival, for he
wore broadcloth, instead of the rough cos
tune affected by the inhabitants of a new
mining camp.
The prespector seemed to be reading
his paper with deep interest, when, sud-
denly, he gave a start that nearly upset
the barrel he was sitting on, and, as he
ripped out great. double barreled oath
hush came over the room, and all pres
ent turned their eyes toward him..
"What is the matter, my friend?" said
the stranger, touchingaim on the shout
der. -
= matter! The matter is that the camps
as good as goneup the 1lume, and every
mother son of US may jest as we'll pack
up our traps and light out. That's what's
the matter? Just listen to this"
And then. while deep silence reigned
and every man in the room bent his head
forward to catch the words, the prospec-.
tor read from the ReyeiWe a statement
that one Rev. Mr.. Nicholl intended short
ly to leave Austin for White Pine, to Or
ganize congregation and establish
church. A look of horror came over the
features Of every miner in the room, and
Frank Wheeler was visibly agitated as
the reading was concluded; but the stran-
ger was evidently mystifed and asked
for an explanation. Just then, Uncle
John Gray walked into the store, and re-
cognizing the stranger, introduced him to
Frank Wheeler as the Rev. Mr.. Nicholl
and then the miner attempted to apolo-
gize. He suffered, and hesitated, and
finally blurted out: 'Ill be dog goned,
old pard, if I'd have said a word agin
preachers if I'd knowed you was the
preacher Teller, and wish I may land in
HI in minnit if inte2ded any offense.
Come up and take drink and call the
thing squar'."
The preacher came up" and as the
boys and the preacher stood at the bar
each with his glass in his hand awaiting
the signal, "Here's to u.s." the prospector
said to the preachers; you're a sociable
SORT of a cuss for a preacher after all, and
may not bring any bad luck to the camp,
but leastways you fellers ought to give us
miners Chance, and not ring in your
,preachin' and start your churches till the
camp gifts kinder settled like. Here's
luck."s ss~tt- 's-.s- - s#=
And then the preacher and the boys
said "Here's luck!" and there was
rattle of glasses on the bar and the con-
versation turned into other channels.
=, But Mr.. Nicholl had an ace-full beaten
at poker that night, and left for Austin
next morning, and the church was not
started"