Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-08-09
THE MINERS DEATH.BED.
From the Cleveland merald. !

IlT. hl.NLLS - bi%.h Ai-bi'''
From the Cleveland IIcrald.l
The following story is substantially
true, and was related by me 10 Bret
Harte with view to his making it pub
lie in his own inimitable style as mar.
ra,or and deineator of the rough men who
gave to California its peculiar history.
Mr.. Harte has won the highest praise for
the study of these men, and his genius
found ample field in developing the histo-
~ of their lives, and the romantic, al
mos, pathetic side of their nature. ldv-
ing away from the restraints OF civlliza-
ton, without teachers, books or female
association, their only law the rules OF
the camp. and only courts a jury of their
own selection, settling all private dis
puies with the pistol and bowie knife,
spending their idle hours in gambling.
drinking and furious dissipation, there
grew up among these wild and almost
untutorcd savages courage that knew
no fear, q sense of honor that scorned
violating fair play, a simplicity and gem
,leness of heart the most chivalrous ma
ture might envy, and an ignorance OF
night and wrong marvellous as it was in
comprehensive. Bound by n5 social
ties, reckless Of consequences. taking hn-
man life after their own fashion as freely
as they riskcd their own, violating daily
every obligation that modern society re-
garis essential to respectability, these
men were capable Of unmatched self
sacrifice, devoted affection and fidelity to
their own standard of Justice, such as Is
seldom paralleled in the history of better
educated communities. Living at Ii mes
in the coarsest luxury, lavishing gold
with a prodigali;y that knew no stint,
and uan,onness of generosity ,ha, took
no thought of the morrow, often plunged
into poverty that forbade the means OF
existence, they accepted their lot with
profound philosophy, regarded success or
fortune as q mere question of luck, and
died as they lived, indifferent to the
future and defiant Of fate.
Some thirty or more years ago there
was a student 4, Yale College named
Edward Billings. He was of good fam
ily, fair student. usual beauty of per-
son, Of great strength, and in stature
about six feet. Becoming infatuated
with the stories of wealth secured in
California, he lef, college and made his
way overland TO that State. He was
months up; n bis ,Oilaoma journey, off,
times near starvation. sleeping in camp
with firearms ready for action, escaping
massacre by the savases almost BY mira
Gle. he lived for months the rude life of
an emigrant, and by the time he reached
San Francisco was a model of robust
maj no ID, with wealth of muscle and
power Of endurance the strongest miner
might have envied. lie became promi-
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 lie shared the
common hardships and struggle OF the
camp, he became the friend and COM
panion of the men around him, and when
the time came was unanimously chosen
Alcalde of the settlement. His judg.
ment was implicitly oheyed, and his
grea, strength, pssonal courage. unfail
ing good nature. indomitable tirmness
and superior education gave him COM
manding influence over the rough people
he ruled. Afterw ards, while serving as
sheriff, and duty called him to arrest
some lawless and notorious character in
camp, he rode fearlessly into the midst
of crowd that cared nothing for law,
and less for its officers, coolly picked out
his man, ordered him to follow, and
risked his own life in so doing, as calmly
and quietly as though performing the
most ordinary duty. Every man knew
that the sheriff could neither be cheated
nor brow-beaten, tlat if resisted, it
WOulQ Ot dt TIC COSt VI OhS VI ihOAS AthSS,
though his own might be sacrificed in
the struggle. It is aeedless to say such
a man, generous, friendly. brave, sincere,
one of themselves, won the hearts Of the
rude men around him. While the camp
might readily resist an officer of the law,
everybody knew that "Ned, the Judge"
was their friend and we'll wisher, and to
attack him would have only rallied a
hundred strong arms to his defense.
"Ned." they said, "never had any airs,
could eat plain grub, was always ready
TO help a fellow that is down, and would
not cheat baby" The best sentiment
of the camp was in his favor and he came
and went unmolested.
But the life in California with all its
excitements failed to satisfy our friend,
and he returned to his native state to
marry the girl who for long time had
held the first place in his affections.
She was the only daughter Of promi.
nent citizen, widely known for his wealth
and political influence. The idol of hel