Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-12-04
OUT WEST.
Ehe Great Carbonate Camp.
LEADvILLE, Nov. 22d, 1879.

DDiAoh ALDuEh' AZ Tie mluSC OF
life, energy and hustle, men are apt
to forget all social ties or kindred OBJ
legations and PROSTATE their entire
tact at the shrine of business pursuits
and gain but occasionally we have
an exception to the rule. At times
we meet with men; kind, generous
souls, who have fond longing for
home; an enthusiastic passion for
ones that were once near and dear:
ones who lately occupy a solitary
berth in the most famous city on
earth, and, in consideration of which,
evince great pleasure in commitment
ing those dignified opinions frailty
so prevalent with new comers, espe-
cialiy those who hail from Missouri.
1t will be quite evident that I am
guilty of the latter fault. / wish TO
write of Leadville, the wonderful
carbonate prodigy of the nineteenth
century; the city OF which we have
all heard and wondered, and which is
famous throughout the civilized
world. Leadville is indeed a remar-
kable city. One year ago it was
scarcely heard of, now it is dash
Ing city of so, 900 souls, spread out
over an area of nearly ten square
miles and possessing within it's city
limits more wealth than is contained
in any metropolis of ten times its
size On earth. Its growth has been
greater than that of San Francisco in
1859, and its wlckedness has not a
peer in Babylon or Ninevah. The
errant populace have become so pow
erful that the city is in peril. A few
nights ago two highwaymen attempt
ed to rob a German citizen, who, in
stead of throwing up his hands as
commanded, drew from his pocket a
small revolver and fired two shots
in quick succession, killing one in
stantly and wounding the other so
severely that he was easily captured
by the police and lodged in Jail. The
better class OF citizens endorsed the
act with great enthusiasm, and the
following day the young German who
did the shooting was placed upon an
elevated char and paraded about the
streets on the shoulders of eight of
our most substantial citizens, PIE
ceded by a banner bearing the in
scription on one side, "rerror to
Highwaymen," and on the other,
Foot pad exterminater. 1t was
supposed that the foot pad fraternity
would become intimidated by these
demonstrations and retire to a more
favorable community, but they were
greatly enraged instead, and il was
rumored that they had threatened
the life of the young man who did
the shooting. Last Wednesday the
young man who was wounded in the
act OF robbery was arraigned in COM
pany with notorious character of
lot jumping repute before the civil
courts of this city, but they proved
very defiant and insulting, and treat
ed all legal authority with contempt.
The judge passed no sentence and
they were remanded to prison. It
will be remembered that Leadville,
like all other frontier towns, is pro-
tected by that famous organization
known as vigilants. 1t was we'll
known by this organization that the
citizens of Leadville had borne more
than was consistent with their pa
tience and they were aware that some
action on their part of a violent ma
ture was earnestly anticipated by the
citizens. Thursday morning the re-
port was circulated that two men had
been hung by parties unknown, and
upon arriving at the city Jail, found
the two criminals who were before
the court the DAY before, hanging by
their necks to the rafters of q sInaim,
frame building which stood in the
Jail yard. 1t was sickening sight.
The countenance of a criminal is bad
enough at best, but seen as it is in
the last agonies of violent death, it
is horrible to behold. 1t was quite
evident that it was the work of y,gi-
lantes, and, as examined q card
which was posted upon their backs,
my apprehensions were confirmed.
The card bore warning to the class
of criminals who infest the dark al
leys of Leadville, and a few of the
worst characters were mentioned in
the injunction. The city was, upon
learning the news, Immediately thrown
into fever of excitement. The ma
jority of the good citizens, of course,
endorsed the actions of the vigilants,
but the foot-pad and criminal faction
were terribly enraged. They threat
ed the destruction of the city, and
several Of the leading business men
have received sub-rosa communica-
tions through the mail, which declare
they will burn the city ifthe vigilants
are not suppressed.
The most of the newspapers re-
main neutral on the subject for fear
of having their property destroyed.
The Daily Reveille called for ten men
last Thursday night to guard its pub
fishing building because it had pub
lished the names of those individuals
written on the piacard before refer
red to.
Two thousand men, armed with
Sharp's rifles and glistening bayonets,
parade the streets from ten O'Clock
at night until morning to protect the
city. A stranger, upon entering the
city, would think we were in the
midst of heated rebellion. 1t is
hard to determine what will be the
result of so much open demonstra-
ton, but there is one fact quite evi-
dent, there has been no more robber-
les since the guards were on duty.
L. Is to be hoped that we will soon
have a peaceful and christian COM
munity, as Leady;iie is a great place
and should not have it's reputation
abused by SO much violence.
will write you again concerning
the business outlook, location and
scenic attractions. 0. T. r..