Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-04-03
SKETCHES OF THE MINES.
RY A VETERAN.

In searching the muniments of the
mines, l came across the name of
John Gambriel-familiarly called
among the citizens, "English Johnny"
He was native of England as his
pseudo name indicates was fitted
for the ministry in the Episcopal
church, and had received thorough
classical education. Becoming dis.
satisfied with the dull monotony of a
country parish, he threw aside the
glossy, silken robes of his order. and
came to this country while still a
young man, contracted wild habits,
and enlisted az a common soldier in
the United States service and was
sent to Fort Crawford, Prairie du
Uhien. While there, he attracted
the favorable attention Of General
Taylor. then commanding that post,
and was employed for a length of
time as his private Secretary. firing
of this situation, and attracted no
doubt by the wonderful report reach
ing him from the lead regions, he left
the service and strayed to the mines.
When ] first met him, he was broken
down man, repeating snatches Of old
English poetry and declaiming blank
verses from Pope and Bolinbroke, for
the amusement of the crowd. When l
learned who he was, and what he had
been, deep, abiding sorrow which
the sight of noble, manly wreck
ever begets, took possession of my
feelings, and / said: els there no
hope here? Must this man, once 80
esteemed, so honored and perhaps
loved and adored. struggle on in 81
lence, poverty and shame, to the Bit
ter end ?" Yet, so it was. Like many
youth who now sleeps in unknown
graves in the lead mines, he had gone
out from the home of his childhood ;
abandoned friends, place and kindred
turned deaf ear to the voice OF wis
dom and filled with the same feelings
of unrest and adventure that once
made the plains a Mausoleum and
California grave yard, and which
still pervades the bosom of the vast
throng of young men and old now
vending their way 90 Colorado, he
came to these mines, made Potosi his
hating place and his "inal home.
The same visions OF fabulous wealth
that attracts them now, brought him
hither theI-and, God grant, the same
fate may not await them that overlook
him, and make them what he became,
a wanderer and an ontcast in a land
of plenty. The causes that lend to
his mournful lot, leave TO the char
ity OF forgetfulness, and his frailties
to the mercy OF Him who was the
friend of publicans aud sinners, and
who came to seek and to save the lost.
Fdcile decenSuS aCerni. Suffice it to
say, be was far down the declivity
that leadeth to destruction and the
road whose steps take hold on Death.
He was the victim OF intemperance
and the inmate of wretched cabin.
His partner was a man whose brute
instincts were visible in every feature
OF his face and whose profnse and vul-
gar language was an index of his
abandoned life. Yet to such associa.
tons does the loss of manly virtue de.
grade Gods creatures when they
cease to love bis law and do his will.
All self respect is gone and the friend
less, homeless outcast takes to the
"beggarly elements OF the world" for
such companionship as it afforus. The
past, with its moral and religious
teachings; its elevating sentiments ;
Its home endearments and social
charms, is excluded from the view,
and all is yielded up to the gratiica.
ton OF the momentsry, morbid crav-
ings of the weary, restless, deathless
soul. lnfamy, like the great leveller,