The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-30
A BLACK HILLS DUEL.


closed the day that Jack McCombe sold
the maid of Erin" mine on Carbonate
Hill. Leadville. The consideration was
$4,000. The "Maid of Erin" was not
\ the only one of Jacks mines. He was
Interested in the Highland Chief, -
"California Tunnel, and dozen others,
and his heart was just as big as his
purse. He was one of Leadville's first
six aldermen, and made it q point to
know every man in the mines, and q
jollier fellow could not be found from
Denver to Saynache pass. Jack deter
mined that portion of the proceeds Of
his last sale should be devoted to his
friends, and as consequence it was q
gala night in the Carbonate camp.
Drinks and cigars were free at Johnny
Shea's Gem saloon, in Harrison avenue,
and the programme was to conclude with
the stage box and an unlimited quantity
of champagne at Tom Kemp's Grand
Central theater, the largest variety
house ever erected in the West, or East
either, for that matter. Being q "news-
paper man." as Jack put it, the party
would not be complete without the
writer, so, dropping my work, accom-
panied by Harry Norton, the city editor
of the Chronicle, joined the gay party.
A gay party it was, too. Apart from
the host there were Lieutenant Governor
Tabor, Alderman Ed. Kavanagh, Alder
man Kelly and half-dozen local majors
and colonies, and one general from the
regular army, whose name l cannot re-
call. The female members of the thea
ter were also we'll represented, it being
the custom in that city for the actresses,
from song and dance artists to the lead
ing lady, to visit the boxes and quaff
champagne. On that particular night,
Ida Corey, of the Corey sisters, most
finished dancer, flirted with Governor
Tabor, Maggie LeClaire clinked glasses
with Alderman Kavanagh. and Viola
Wray, Amy Tudor, frankie Russell,
Lottie Beaumont and Fannie Garretson
entertained the company.
Amid all the hilarity. Harry Norton
appeared ill at ease. He drank few
glasses of champagne, and then removed
his chair to the corner of the box, out
of the glare of the footlights and lit
cigar.
"What ais you, Harry?" asked. ut
cannot be possible that you have the
blues to-night?"
"No," said he, "but was just think
ing of little incident which happened
ITO me four years ago tonight IN jan
uary. 1876, In the Black Hills. If you
care to hear it, draw your chair a little
nearer"
Harrv's manner of speaking impressed
me strangely, for he was seldom commu-
NEGATIVE. at all times reticent, and rarely
referred to his past life. He was dash
ing fellow, about thirty five years of age
and there was not thread of silver in
his raven hair or heavy dropping mus
tache. He was a native of Buffalo, and
had been connected with the Courier Of
that city had written half dozen books,
and there was very little Of the United
States that he had not thoroughly ex-
plored. His full name and title was Capt.
Henry J. Norton, the title having been
acquired in the recent Cuban revolu-
ton.
''This incident, as I am pleased to
term it," he began, "has never been
narrated but once before, and then it
was poured Into the ears of priest ut
the st. Charles Hotel, New Orleans,
about eighteen months ago. When
cross the range and go prospecting IN
Gods country, You can tell it if you see
ct. Four years ago tonight l was in
Deadwood. had returned from an ex-
petition up the Yellowstone river and
published book on my research. Dead
wood was at that day what Leadville is
at the present time-all life and fire,
riches and glitter. There were no beg
gars in her streets, and every man was
the possessor of gold, mining stock or
unlimited credit. was guest of the
1hkota house, land passed my nights.
in the main, at the theaters. At one OF
the theaters a woman whom had known
in Detroit three years before, was sing
ing ballads. She was too noble woman
TO tread the boards Of any stage, but, like
many others, gifted with sweet mezzo-
soprano voice, she found on the variety
stage an easy avenue to livelihood.
She was woman, every inch, ard was
always accompanied by young sister to
and from cities and their Michigan home.
Being an old friend, she felt perfectly at
home in my company, and We were to-
gether much Of the time. No man in
Deadwood, except myself, would she
permit to act as her escort, and the con-
sequence was that it was not many weeks
until I was envicd by half the men in
the camp. On the night refer to, after
the theater, went into the bar-room for
purpose Of taking drink before retis'