The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-08-23
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THE WHITEST MAN In THE MINES,

-oR,-
/ THE WHITEST MAN In THE MINES.
New York Star.
Jim Moore was one of the most wide.
Hy-known characters in the~great Car
bondale Camp during the winter of
P7S-9,i and his popularity did not .wane
to any perceptible extent until the first
week in March, 1880, when he joined
the church, forsook politics, and per-
mitted the Democrats to elect Mayor
land two Of the six Aldermen which CON
0 prised the Common Council of Leadville.
Colonel Jim was not handsome by any
, means, but what he lacked in personal
appearance was made up for in greatness
and kindness of heart. He stood five
feet nine inches iu bare feet, and in his
knee-top patent-leather boots he was a
good inch taller. His weight however
exceeded one hundred and forty pounds !;
yet he was an athlete, aud boasted OF
muscles that we're as hard as iron. No
one knew his age, bnt his home had
once been in Evansville, Indiana, and he
was intimately acquainted with Frank
NJ. Gilbert, one Of the brightest editors
OF that little Hoosier city, and was never
80 happy IS when relating some boyish
lfasco wherein Gilbert was one Of the
principal characters. His forehead was
lh;gh and narrow. hair 80 bright that it
glittered in the light of day, eyes of the
color of steel gray, nose decided pug,
mouth as large as Emily Soldene's, lips
almost as thin as paper, teeth irregular
and ghastly white, chin and under jaw
massive, cheek bones prominent as an
Indians and his smooth-shaven face
was as sallow as though he had wrestled
With chills and fever in the lowlands Of
Arkansas from the day of his birth.
| BY avocation Jim Moore was gam.
bier. He found his way to Lsadville in
November, 1878, and took rooms on
Lower CHESTNUT street, his meals at the
Tontine Restaurant, and dealt faro in the
Texas Saloon on Harrison avenue The
first day in camp no one paid him a Sec
ond thought, and his table was patron
tized by strangers alone. The second
day June Richards, the camp bully,
charged him with turning stop and bot
TOM" Jim was shuffiing the cards, pre-
pairing for fresh deal, and be promptly
knocked Richards down with the heavy
silver box. When the bully returned to
consciousness he saw that Jim had pro-
cured a fresh box and was dealing as
coolly as though nothing had occurred.
The crowd fell back in anticipation<of
an exchange OF pistol-shots, but Rich
ards remarked that he was no hog, knew
when he had enough. and left the house
to spend his money in the Little Church
Saloon.
On the fourth day OF Jim's sojourn in
camp reckless prospector by the name
of Mooney, who had backed the seven
spot heavily to lose when the seven had
won, called the Man-from-Indiana tin.
horn gambler, and threw his heavy
bowie-knife across the layout Jim
could not wink at such breach of eti-
quette, and shot Mooney through the
heart without rising from his chair. Al
inquest was held, and as all the gentle
men present at the time Of the shooting
pronounced it an act of self-defense,
Jim was back at the table, dealing,
within few hours following the tragedy.
This event sent his stock away above
par, and from that day be was recogniz-
ed on the street by the first gamblers of
Colorado.
In the meantime Methodist parson
had come to the mines, and was endesv-
ering to raise a SUM OF money sufficient
to build place of worship. Jim called
on the parson, ex,orted promise from
him that he would not play faro, keno
or draw-poker, nor be too hard on the
sporting men Of the camp-and then set
about taking up q collection. He pre-.
pared list, subscribed $50 by way OF
beginning, and tben circulated the paper
around the saloons and gaming-tables,
swearing that any sport who declined to
chip in was no friend Of Jim Moore's.
The result was that Leadyille, possessed
q church before Christmas. He attended
the dedicatory services, led in singing
and passed the hat around twice, once
before the sermon and once following it.
90 the following Sabbath Jim was not
at church, and in the afternoon the par
son called at the Texas House to inquire
if Mr.. Moore was indisposed. He found
i Jim dealing and o throng of miners
about the table. y g
! mo foolishness here, parson," said
| Jim sternly, as he paused with his fin
gers on the soda card.
"Certainly not. shall not interrupt
replied the reverend gentleman, in an
apologetic tone "but did not see you
at worship this morning7 ?"
"No," said Jim slightly Modified, 'and
l expect your hat came back id light.
I wanted to come down and take part,
but $4,000 sucker from Virginia City
CHANGED in, and h. you know ! had to
The sacerdotal laborer took his de.
parlure, after declining several invita-
tions to drink from gentlemen in the
crowd who had recognized him, and
niver again called around to ascertain
what had detained Jim Moore from att
I tending morning service.
1t was in these early days that claim
and lot jumping hourishei in Leadville.
If man, after toiling for weeks or
months in q small shaft, chanced to
strike it rich. tidings Of his good luck
{ would spread through the camp like
wild-fire. In their greed for carbonales,
many men would forget that their once
poor companion had delved in the hard
stone and fiercely until he had fairly won
his prize, and their ruling thought was
through what agency he could be dis
possessed and his paying claim reloca-
fted. Claim jumping finally became quite
a science, and mines had to be guarded
might and day. As the price of real es-
tate advanced in the camp. lot jumping
became quite fashionable, and as half
dozen land companies set up claims to
the ownership Of every foot of ground
between the Arkansas and the East