Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1880-08-29
GlLLIS'S WHISKEY SPRING.


| now editing the FREE Lance In NeVauo CIIy.
These men had heard all sorts of wonderful
stories about the mineral springs to be
found in the Sierra mountains, and were in a
state of mind ready to believe almost any
faith in finding mineral spring, the waters
Of which the Indians had used for years on
account of its remarkable curative qualities,
but Shoemaker didn't want any of the ''stink-
ing waters. He prospected for gold alone.
| GILLIs STRIKES A SPRING.
One day ellis came rushing into camp
wild over the fact that he had struck spring.
al was boring into some likely looking
ground near the old emigrant trail when
came smack on spring that was nothing less
than pure whisky
A smile of incredulity spread over the
features of the other two
| 81 bored into the side Of hill where the
ground was moist, and as I'm live man, the
whisky came trucking out.
| The men laughed in his face and Steve went
on to relate how he had located the spring and
expected to make his fortune. He then pro-
duced bottle filled with a muddy, strong
smelling stuff which really had about it the
,dor of old Bourbon. Still the others were
increduous. They were quite prepared to
accept soda springs, iron springs, magnesla
and sulphur fountains, but whisky boiling up
from the ground was too much. They had no
doubt but that Steve playing joke on
them.
EXCITEMENT IN PLACERVILLE.
ellis soon fastened to Placervile and took
out the necessary location papers. He had his
spring defined with all its dips, spurs, angles
and tributaries and duly recorded at the Land
Office. He took ne pains to conceal his good
luck, and presently all the old topers in
Pacerville were in a state of excitement over |
the matter.
Whisky'll be cheaper'n water. they said.
Steve actually went so far as to take con-
tracts to furnish saloons with his spring whisky
at SO barrel. He was SO thoroughly in
earnest that he impressed others with his
discovery to such an extent that several
started for the mountains hoping to find sim
liar springs, and one man offered him $40 900
for his location if on investigation it proved
to be genuine. But Steve was deaf to all
such offers, he put his price at half million
and would think of nothing less.
THE BUBBLE BURSTS.
After securing his papers he concluded
to 90 back and take another look at his treas
ure in the mountains. Accompanying him
were couple Of Californians who were ready
to buy an interest in his spring if it turned
out half as good as he expected. They found
the place after two days of hard travel.
" Now don't laugh at me gentlemen until
you have seen the facts.
He looked at the spot where he had bored
into the moist slope but there was no indica-
ton of spring. They got out their spades
and pickaxes and after about ten minutes q
work came upon the end of a whisky barrel
They soon unearthed the whole and found the
place where Steve had tapped the rotten end |
IF the whisky barrel. They sent it rolling ,
Town the bank and one Of them remarked, '
Better'n we expected whisky already {
looped up in barrels. q
The party left the scene of their miserable i
allure, but did not dare go back to Placer i
lille and meet the jeers Of the inhabitants. c
Steve repaired to Virginia City and began to y
work sticking type. Il
MORE OF THAT BARREL. T.
Some five years later lot of printers were
adhered about saloon stove when Prospect
Bill told how party of men he was with once,
,uried barrel of whiskey in the woods for Il
afe keeping and forgot where they put it.
'Sort'er in the side Of. a bank" asked ellis
up.
Eyes" \
"Near big pine tree! .a.-
''Thats the spot" ..r a
"Beulders all around!''
you've struck itx
eyes guess I did strike it once. 81
ellis got all ready to relate the circum- tt
tances Of the case but pride stepped in, and h
e only said: 81 was with party of emf 1t
rants years ago. We were perishing with p
1irst and found that whiskey. 1t saved g
xenty lives. We thought that Providence 81
ad let it right down from heaven. l was to
wed with the rest, let me thank you for my
fe." -.. .sa- @.. cc
He grasped Bills hand fervently, but later m
the evening request for loan Of $5 made L
Y his preserver was evasively denied. "a