Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1880-01-16
MARX TWAIN AND DAN DE GUILE
THEIR GREAT INDIAN FIGHT IN AENpOCINo
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES THE RID sKINs
WITH BABBRr MEIAL-THEY FIRE
WHOLE PRINTING OFFICE FROM
HowITIER-A TYPOGRAPHI
CAL SEDAN.

WHOLE PRINTING OFFICE FRoN A
HowITxER--A TYPOGRAPHY
CAL SEDAN.
1t was nearly twenty years ago when Dan
De Guile and Mark Twain attempted to start
a paper in Mendocino County. They took the
type and material of their recently defanct
newspaper establishment in San Fran
cisco and loading the stuff on big wagon,
struck out into the country to retrieve their
fortune They packed their type just as it
stood in the forms, tied up the artlcles with
stout cords by process we'll known to print
ers, and packing them closely in boxes vowed
to establish a newspaper somewhere which
would be the leading exponent Of politics and
history for the Pacific Coast Had not
unfortunate circumstance taken place 1t Is
quite evident that the same newspaper which
they contemplated founding would have heen
alive to- day. Their journey over the Roun-
tains was utterly uaeventful until they
reached Simpsons Station, spot we'll known
to old travellers on that route. Here they
met party of emigrants making for Lower
California and the latter had with them a
small mountain howitzer which they had
brought with them across the plains.
TWAIN BUYS rHB HowITZkR.
Twain took great fancy to this gun, and
offered $50 for it with two kegs of powder
thrown in. The emigrants were glad enough
to part with it as they concluded the time for
its use had passed. Dan thought the pur
chase of the artillery and military supplies
was = reckless piece of extravaganza and said
as much, but Twain replied.
"When we start our paper we must fire
salute. A newspaper office with artillery has
a big bulge On the business. No well reg
ulated office in California should be without a
howitzsr. If man comes in for retraction
we can blow him into the next county. The
howitzer goes.
This silenced argument and the next day |
the two journalists took this road with their
printing outfit and artillery.
NIGHT ATTACK.
On the next night they camped in moun-
tain ravine fifteen miles from Simpsons, and |
after building the usual camp fire, fell asleep. |
About II o'clock the horses wakened them by |
pranclng about and the two journalists We're
led to the conclusion that nothing less than
party of Indians were making arrangements
Tor a night attack In the clear moonlight
they could be distinguished about half mile
away at the foot of the raviRe. The idea of
Indians had never entered the
heads Of the two fortune seekers, and they
lad no arms Suddenly Twain frightened up
" The howitzsr.
g We've got nothing but powder said
Dan.
well, porder'll scare en-, and well load
,er up"
The pisce was Immediately loaded with
,ood big charge and the two men felt quite
ertain that the Indians, hearing the roar of
he gun, would beat an unconditional retreat.
The piscs was hardly loaded and placed in
osi.iou when about fifty of the red skins
anne charging up the ravine.
DAMS oouP p'ETA1
Twain siezed brand from the camp FIRE
nd was about to lay it on the touch hole {
hen Dan yelled Hold on, as he rammsd
omsthing into the mouth Of the piece and 6
enarked,
" Turn'sr loose. c
The roar of the howitzer echoed through I
he lonely forests and the savases, with fran
c cries of pain, reeled down the ravins in t
lid confusion.
What in h did you pu. int" asked r
lark. n
" A eslamn of solid nonparsil and couple 8
sticks Of your Spring poetry t
" The poetry did the business, Dan. Get D
40 Of your geological articles ready for the h
ext charge and guess til let the red devils
At for the present campaign" O
TYPooRAHICAL TBRRoRs h
The saVagss again advanced. Mark at Il
nded 20 the powder aud Dan sorted the shot, "
to speak. n
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