The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-01-18

The Tuscarora Reriew says that the
iirst appearance Of clergyman in Tus-
carora was signalized by the burning Of
the Grand Prize hosting works; and
that on Sunday last the Rev $. r. Kelly
preached in that camp and the next day
the Navajo Company discharged forty
two miners. 1t is an old superstition
that preachers bring bad luck TO a new
mining-camp, and that with the advent
Of churches and ministers good times
depart. The mention of this fact recalls
circumstance which happened in that
connection in White Pine, in the early
and flush days Of that district.
Red Frank Wheeler and Billy Wake
field kept ssthe store- Of the Town of
Hamilton. the establishment combining
in itself store, saloon, hotel, post-oflice,
and express-oiiice, and consequently be-
ing place Of popular resort One day,
after the mail and express had been dis
tributed. and the crowd which usually
thronged 10 the store on the arrival Of
the stage had somewhat thinned out, a
prospector sat on barrel reading the
Rertille, which in those days carried the
freshest news to White Pine, as all COM
munication was via Austin. Seated OH
the box beside the prospector was a
meek. olly-lo0king parsonage, evidently
new arrival, for he wore broadcloth
instead Of the rough costume affected
by the inhabitants of new mining
camp.
The prospector seemed to be reading
his paper with deep interest, when sud-
denly he gave great start that nearly
upset the barrel he was sitting on, and,
a. he ripped out = great, double-barrel-
ed oath. hush came over the room.
and all present turned their eyes toward
him.
=. What i the matter, my friend?-
said the stranger, touching him on the
shoulder.
Matter! The matter is that the
camps as good as gone up the flume,
and every mothers son Of us may Jest
a. well pack up our traps and light out.
That's what's the matter, jest listen
70 this"
And then, while deep silence reign
sd and every man in the room bent his
head forward To catch the words, the
prospector read from the Rcreillc state
ment that one Rev. Mr.. Nicholl in
tended shortly 10 leave Austin for White
Pine, 10 organize congregation and
establish q church. A look Of horror
came over the features of every miner
in the room, and Frank Wheeler was
yisibly agitated a. the reading was con-
eluded; but the stranger was evidently
mystified and asked for an explanation.
Just then Uncle John Gray walked into
the store. and recognizing the stranger,
introduced him 10 Frank Wheeler as the
Rev. Mr.. Nicholl and then the miner
attempted to apologize. He suffered,
and hesitated, and finally blurted out:
I'll be dog-goned, old pard, If I'D
have said a word agin preachers il I'D
knowed YOU was the preacher feller,an
wish may land in --- in minnit, il
intended any offense. Come up and
take drink and call the thing squar'.''
The preacher n came up" and as the
boys and the preacher stood at the bar,
each with his glass in his hand awaiting
the signal. "lIere's 10 us" the pros
pecior said 70 the preacher; t" You're a
sociable sort d a cuss for preacher af
ter all, and may not bring any bad luck
70 the camp; but leastways you fcllers
ought 70 give us miners a chance, and
not ring in your prcachin' and start
your churches till the camp gifts kinder
settled like. Here's luck. 7
And then the preacher and the BOYS
said Heres luck.' and there was a
rattle Of glasses on the bar and the con-
versation turned into other channels.
But Mr.. Nicholl had an ace-full beat
en- at game Of poker that night, and
left for Austin next morning, and the
church was not started. r--Ausfin
(NeU.) Rcreilie.