The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-13
PREF CyrERs AND BAD luck.
Miners superst,tion-wby - Church wa. not
Started In White Pine.


The Tuscarora Rerictc says that the first
appearance Of II clergyman in Tuscarura was
signalizcd by the burning OF the Grand Pri2e
hosting works; and that on sunday last the
Rev. s. T. Kelly preached in that camp. and the
next day the NayaIo Company discharged forty.
two miners 1t Is an old superstition that
camp. and that with the advent OF churches and
ministers good times depart. The mention Of
in that connection in White Pine, in the early
ana Hush days of that district.
=, Rcd Frank Wheeler and Billy Wakefield kept
the store OF the town Of Hamilton. the estab-
is.neht combining in itself store, saloon.
hotel, most office. and express Office and there
lore. nclng a plac. Of popular resort. One day;
after the mail and express had been distributed
and the crowd that usually thronged to the store
on the arrival of the stage had somewhat thin
the Rereite Seated on the box beside tho pros
pcctor was meek, oily look ing parsonage. evil
IDENTITY u now arrival. for he wore broadrloth
instead Of the rough costume affected by the
INHABITANTS OF n now mining camp.
The DrospectOr seemed to he reading his pa
per with deep interest. when suddenly he gave
y start that nearly upset the barrel he was sit
ting on. and, as he ripned out great, double,
barrelled oath. hush came over the room, and
all present turned their eyes toward him.
What's the matter, my, friend r said the
stranger. touching him on the shoulder.
Matter! The matter is that the camps as
good rs gone w the Hume. and every mothers
son Of us may jest as we'll pack M ourtrnps and
light out, That's what's the matterl jest lis
And then. while deep silence reigncd and
~
10 catch the words the prospcctor read. n state
ment that the Rev. Mr. Nicholl intended shortly
to leave Austin for White Pine. TO organize II
congregation and establish n church. A look
of horror came over the features OF every miner
in the room. and Frank Wheeler was vsiby
agitatcd rs the reading was concluded: hut the
stranger was evidently mystned and asked for
an explanation. just then. Uncle John Gray
walked into the store. and recognizing the
stranger. Introduced him To- Frank Wheeler ~
the Rev Mr.. Nicho The miner Attempted 10
apologize He suffered. and hesitatcd and
finally blurtcd out I'M bc doe-gOned old
pnrd. IL I'd have said "a word agin preacher
II I'd knowed YOU was the preacher Teller
Come W and take a drink and call the thing
sQuar"
The preacher came up" and ns the boys
and the preacher stood at the bar. each with his
glass in his hand awaiting the signal. Here's
70 us, the proprietor said to the preacher:
You're sociablc sort Of n ctss for preacher
after all. and may not bring any bad luck to the
camp; hut leasways you fellcrs ought to give
us miners chance, and not ring in your
preach n and start your churches till the camp
gifts kinder settled like. Here's luck"
And then the preacher and tn" boys said.
Here's luck ~ and there was rattle Of glasses
on the bar. and the conversation turned into
other channels
But Mr. Ncholl had an ace-full beaten at
poker that night. and left for Austin next morn
ing. and the church WIS not started.