Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-12-27
Juan's Nugget.
A LEAF FROM A PIONEERS NOTE BOOK.

LEAF FROM PIONEERS NOTE BOOK.
san Francisco Bulletin.
Yes, | knew Juan. He was a Mexican,
who kept corral on Rincon Point, in 1916
He supplied the whalers and hide -droghers
with fresh beef. When Marshall turned the
world askew by unearthing that talismanic
nugget at Suffers Mill, Juan sold out and
joined the rush northward. He was lucky
at the start, if unlucky at the end. The
first pick he sank brought up one Of the
biggest specimens struck in California.
Eight thousand dollars was offered for it
right away. but Juan wouldn't sell. He
thought he could make more BY putting it
up at a rattle. Eight thousand shares at
$40 share was the order The enterprise
was successful.
The central point of attraction was White
Mans Bar. Crowds from every camp within
trampine distance came to look at the
nugget and take shares in the lottery.
Juan was in high feather He was the big
pin of the occasion. and Castilian-like pu, on
mint Of frills. He was tail, lank cuss,
saturnine in countenance, with retreating
jaw and baboonish forehead. He wore a
red bandana round his head and carried a
long novaja (knife) in his sash. He alva,s
wore the costume of a vaGuero and Judging
from his looks was tough customer yet a
more harmless fellow never breathed. He
was fond Of money, though, and would
sooner lose an ounce of blood than dollar
any day. TO guard the nugget he cmploved
eight of his countrymen. Four Of these were
armed with pistols and machetes. They
We're sulky-ooking gang, and seemed
able to whip ANYTHING of their size but
when it came to the scratch were completely
subdued By the "malditos Americanos."
The nugget was placed under glass case
on the centre of a table in the Modo Verde
saloon, where yellow faced girl from
Sonora took the names Of subscribers.
Among those who came to see the nugget
was Jimmy -from-town," one Of the noted
desperadoes Of that day, and as smart a
rogue ever went unhanged. lie wa, at
tended by two Of his principal pals-Joe
Bell and Micky Free. After taking III the
situation Jimmy concluded the plant would
be raised, and so informed his lleutenants
TOO risky" said Joe, these grease,s are
well armed. have grit. and will make a
fight
Very likely" answered Jimmy. '.but We
can double haul EN-. lou'll get the chunk
ifyou do what say"
$50 ahead" said Michy
.'Bea, up all the boys YOU can and get me
'broncho I'll teach THE anima! 10 Kick
and I'll show YOU how 10 corral the Nugget
See il YOU can't lift me before tomorrow
night"
Jimmy, two giIlie~ followed his directions
Twenty hard nuts reported for duty within
fort, eight hours. The "broncho" wa, also
on hand, paid for with the money Of color
I'd man. whom Micky Knocked ON the head
The animal was Immediately placed ii tram
Ing.
Jimmy hAl been circu, rider. and wl> a
sharp in horse flesh lie soon had the
'.br1ncho'' ready for business Meantime
the rattle bowIed along. The lists we're
nrarIs full, and aS the hour for DRAWN. Ap-
preached the excitement increased. The "a
loon was abSolutrl. packed the monte deal
.r> could scarcely handle their cards, While
the guard around the nugget had ID use
fore" 10 keep the crowd from oyerturnlng
the table. Now was the time for J.mm}
lic appeared In front Of the saloon m1Iutrd
on h,> "broncho;" hi~ pals were already
min.,ius With the crowd inside. IeaGy ID
seize tie nugget at signal from their lead
.r jimmy worried the animal >ufficicut,
To make it rc>ti,c. |, began to back Intc
,Ee saloon. The crowd shouted. cursed. and
struggled, but gave way. In spite Of all
Jimmy appeared 70 do. the animal Kept
backing, and gradually approached the cen
ire table. Juan saw the danger which
threatened his treasure ana snriuLiu. for
ward, sellci the reIns Of the "hroucho"
Jimmy struck him With sand c!uO. which
laid him >en>e!e>>. At the same time ht
backed the animal against the trbi" aDl
shouted: Hey RIbe :"
''lley Rube" is thc yircuS-man', battle
cry, and was the signal for Jlmmy'> pal to
look ont for the nugget. ASthcl rc-echuc4
the cry. jimmy dug the spurs into the
"hroncho." /, Kicked Over went the ia
bic smash went the glass case, and away
went the nugget twenty fee; from where II
laid. AS it fell there was Wild rush for II
possession. The Nexicaus. led by Juan
who had recovered from the blov made de>-
perate cXertlon> TO retain the precious spec
linen, but were quickly overcome by the
tiercer effort, and keeuer activity Of the
white-t faced rogues. |; was Gringo against
Greaser, and Grlngo won. MlckN Free fin
ally grabbed the nugget and passed il u
Jimmy, VINO deXterousiN placed it in eath-
er bag swung from his pommel He then
urged his "broncho" through the crowd. rid-
ing over all in hi, way, and, reaching the
street, gaIloped a. full speed for readez-
vous IN the mountains. As he rode off the
Mexicans gave him salute from their pep
per-trees. one bail grazing his hip. His pals
followed. | was Sheriff 0f the county,
raised a posse and pursued the scoundre>.
We had brush with them IN the canon
where Joe Bell was Shot. He told the whole
story of the robbery before he died. and is
my authority for this narrative Jimmy
rode on, however, and never stopped till he
reached a cave in the mountains, where he
was atterward found by his pals, less five
laid out in the melee. None of these ex-
cept Joe Bel were mortally injured, bu,
getting into 4 hands of Indignant citi-
zens," were unceremoniously treated to hem
non rnllars