The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-05-12
THE MINERS DEATH.BED.

-1uo dI6OSy
THE MINERS DEATH.BED.
The following story is substantially true,
and was related by me to Bret Harte with
view to his making it public in his own in
imitable style as narrator and delineator
of the rough men Who gave to California
it's peculiar history Mr.. Harte has won
the highest praise for the study of these
men, and his genius found ample field in
developing the history of their lives, and
the romantic, almost pathetic side of their
character. living away from the restraints
of civilization, without teachers, books or
female association. their only law the rules
Of the camp, and only courts jury of
their own selection, settling all private dis
putes with the pistol and knife,
spending their idle hours in gambling,
drinking and furious dissipation, there
grew up among these wild and almost un-
tutored savages, courage that knew no
fear, a sense of honor that scorned VIOLA
ting fair play, simplicity and gentleness
of heart the most chivalrous nature might
envy and an ignorance of right and wrong
marvellous as it was incOmprehensible.
Bound by no social ties, reckless Of conse-
quences, taking human life after their own
fashion as freely as they risked their own,
violating daily every obligation that mod
ern society regards essential to the re-
spectability, these men were capable of I'M
matched self sacrifice, devoted affection,
and fidelity to their own standard of JUS
tice, such as is seldom paralleled in the his
tory of better educated communities. Liv-
ing at times in the coursest luxury, layishing
gold with prodigality that knew no stint,
and wantoness of generosity that took
no thought of the morrow, often plunged
into poverty that forbade the means of ex-
istence, they accepted their lot with plo-
found philosophy, regarded success or for
tune as a mere question of luck, and died as
they lived, Indifferent to the future and de-
iant of fate.
Some thirty or more years ago there was
d student at Yale College named Edward
Billings. He was of good family, fair
student, usual beauty of person, of great
strength. and in stature about six feet in
hight. Becoming infatuated with the sto-
ries of wealth secured in California, he left
college and made his way overland to that
tate. He was months upon his toilsome
journey, oftentimes near starvation, Sleep
ing in camp, with fire arms ready for ac-
tion escaping massacre by the savages al
most by miracle, he lived for months the
rude life Of an emig1ant, and by the time
he reached San Francisco was model Of
robust manhood, with a wealth of muscle
Ind power Of endurance the strongest mi
ner might have envied. He became prom
;nent man in his adopted state, Sheriff OF
his county, State Senator, and in time the
partner of one of the most eminent lawyers
in the Union. During his early life at the
mines, where he shared the common hard
ships and struggles of the camp, he became
the friend and companion of the men
around him, and when the time came was
unanimously chosen Alcalde of the settle
ment. His Judgment was implicitly obeyed
and his great strength, personal courage,
ness and superior education gave him
a commanding influence over the
rough people he ruled. After
wards, while serving as Sheriff, and
duty called him to arrest some hwless and
notorious character in camp, he rode fear-
lessly into the midst Of a crowd that cared
nothing for law, and less for it's officers,
cody picked out his man, ordered him to
follow, and risked his own life in so doing,
as calmly and quietly as though perform
ing the most ordinary duty. Every man
knew that the Sheriff could neither be
cheated nor brow beaten, that if resisted,
it would be at the cost of one OF more lives,
though his own might be sacrificed in the
struggle. It is needless to say that such
mon, generous, friendly, brave, sincere,
one of themselves, won the hearts of tho
rude men around him. While the camp
che law, everybody knew that ''Ned the
Judge" was their friend and we'll wish
OF, and to attack him would have only ralli-
cd q hundred strong arms to his defense.
.Ned,' they said, never had no airs, could
eat plain grub and whisky, was always
ready to help fellow that is down, and
would not cheat baby" The best senti-
ment of the camp was in his favor, and he
came and went unmolested.
But the life in California with all it's ex-
elements failed to satisfy our friend, and
he returned to his native state to marry the
girl who for a long time had held the first
place in his affections. She was the only
daughter of prominent citizen, widely
known for his wealth and political influence.
The idol of her parents, she was worthy of
the homage and admiration she excited.
Her face and her form were alike attractive,
speech gracious, and temper amiable. She
had the rare tact to invite the friendship
and good will of all who approached her, and
her life was spent largely in promoting OBJ
]ects Of benevolence and humanity. Re-
turning with her new-made husband to
California, she found herself the centre of
universal homage. A woman so rich in
beauty, womanly grace, and refined tastes
was rarity at any time, but doubly SO in
the early history Of San Francisco. She
often accompanied ler husband to the
camps, and became deeply interested in the
miners and their successes. Wherever
she went her path was made a royal one.
The choicest of flowers, the sweetest of
plants, and the finest specimens of ores
were lavishly offered her, and there was
none who would not have defended her
from the slightest insult with his life. She
walked fearlessly about the camp, gath
cred the perfume plants that grew