Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-03-12
Selected Mistellnup,
Mark Twain and Dan DeQnilln

1t was nearly twenty years ago when Dan
DeQuille and Mark Twain attempted to
start paper in Mendocino county. They
to"l, iyp- an material of their recently de
Iuct hrWsplp csttb ishmrn in sun Fran
ciscn, an! oIdn" tlr .luli "a Il WAGON
slrIcl, ont ill, ia country lu retrieve their
Gnnn.q. ihry packed their ~ p.' in rs il
stood in the lorris, tirI mp the artic'c3 with
stout c"rla hy q process WEI known 10
prinlt r., aud packing Them closely in hoycf,
vowed Ia cstnbsh ii newspaper somewhere
which would hc the leading exponent of
politics and history for the Pacific Coast.
Had not an uncomfortable circumstance
taken place it is quite evident that the same
newspaper which they contemplated found
ing would have been alive to-day. Their
journey over the mountains was utterly I'M
eventful until they reached Simpsons Sta
ton, n spot wcll-known 10 old travellers ON
that route Here they met II party Of emf
grants making for Lower California, and
the latter had with them small mountain
howtzer which they had brought with them
across the plains.
Twain took great fancy to this gun, and
offered $50 for it with two kegs of powder
thrown in. The emgrants were glad enough
10 part with il, as they concluded the time for
use had passed Dan thought the purchase
Of the artillery and military supplies was II
reckless piece Of extravaganza and said AS
much, but Twain replied:
"Whcn we start our paper we must fire a
salute A newspaper Office with artillery
has big bulge on the business No well
regulated Office in California should be with
out howitzer. fla man comes in for -
rctraction we can blow him into the next
county. The howitzcr goes"
This silenced the argument, and the next
day the two journalists took the road with
their printing outfit and artillery.
On the next night they camped in q
mountain ravine fifteen miles from Simpsons
and after building the usual camp fire fell
asleep About II O'Clock the horses awaken
ed them by prancing about, and the two
Journalists were he'd 10 the conclusion that
nothing less then party of Indians were
making arrangements for "a night attack
In the clear moonlight they could be distin-
guislcd about half a mile away at the foot
Of the rayinc The idcn Of cncountcring In
dams had never entered the heads Of the
two fortune seekers, and they had no arms
Suddenly Twain frightened up, remarked
ing;
"fhe howiizer"
"Wc'ye got nothing but power" said Dan.
Well, powder'll scare 'cm, aud wen load
her up"
The piece was Immediately loadeI with u
good big charge and the two men felt quite
certain that the Indians hearing the roar of
the gun would beat an unconditional retreat.
The piece was hardly loaded and placed in
position, when about fifty Of the redskins
came charging up the irvine.
Twain seized brand from the campfire
and was about ~ lay il on the touch hole,
when Dan yelled "lIold on" rs BE- mmInel
something into the mouth Of the piece, and
remarked
Turn cr loosc"
The rpar 81 tho howitzcr echoed through
the lonely forests and the ayagcs, with
frantic cries Of pain, reelod down the myino
In wild confusion.
"What ia h-ll did you put ia - asked
Mark.
"A column Of solid nonpariel and a couple
Of sticks Of your spring poetry"
The poetry did the business, Dan. Got
one u your geological articles ready ilr The
next charge and euessit bet theral DEVILS
out The present campaign"