Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-14
Juan's Nugget.
A Leaf From a Pioneers Note Bouk.
 TFrou the San Francisco Bulletin.l

From the San Francisco BulletinI
 Yes, know Juan He was 8 Mexican, who kept corral on Rincon Point, in 1S46. He supplied the whalers and hide-droghers with fresh beef. When Marshall turned the world askew by unearthing that talismanlc nugget at Sutter's 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 thou sand dollars was offered for it right away, but Juan wouldn't sell. He thought he could make more by putting it up at raffle. Eight thousand shares at ten dollars share WAS the order The enterprise was successful.
 The central point of attraction was White Mans Bar. Crowds from every camp with in tramping 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 put on mint of frills. He was tall, lank cuss, saturn1ne in countenance, with retreating jaw and baboonish forehead. He wore red bandana round his head and carried long novaja (knife) in his sash. He always wore the cos tune of vaquero, and judging from his looks was a tough customer; yet more harmless fellow never breathed. He was fond of money, though, and would sooner lose an ounce of blood than 8 dollar any day. To guard the nugget he employed eight of his countrymen. Four of these were armed with pistols and machetes. They were 8 sulky looking 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 center of table in the Modo Verde saloon, where yellow faced girl from Sono- ra took the names of subscribers. Among those who came to see the nugget was "Jim- my-from-town," one of the noted despera- does of that day, and as smart 8 rogue as ever went unhanged. He was attended by Micky Free. After taking in the situation Jimmy concluded the plant would be raised, and so informed his ieutenants. "Too risky" said Joe, 'these greasers are well armed. have grit and will make fight"
 Very likely" answered % Jimmy inn yss 'bGt n we if you do what say"
 ''Go ahead" said Micky.
 Beat up all the boys you can and get me a 'broncho-' I'll teach the animal to kick and I'll show you how to corral the nugget. See if you can't lift me before to morrow night''
 Jfmmy's two gillies followed his direc- tions.. Twenty hard nuts reported for duty within forty-eight hours. The "broncho" was also on hand, paid for with the money of a colored man, whom Micky knocked on the head. The animal was immediately placed in training.
 Jimmy had been circus rider, and was a sharp in horse flesh. He soon had the ''broncho" ready for business. Meantime the raffie bowled along The lists were near ly full, and as the hour for drawing ap. preached the excitement increased. The sa- loon was absolutely packed; the monte dealers could scarcely handle their cards, while the guard around the nugget had to use force to keep the crowd from overturn- ing the table. Now was the time for Jim my. He appeared in front of the saloon mounted on his sFbroncho; D his pals were already mingling with the crowd inside, ready to seize the nugget at signal from their leader. Jimmy worried the animal sufficiently to make it restive. It began to back into the saloon. The crowd shouted, curssd and struggled, but gave way. In spite of all Jimmy appeared to do, the ami nal kept backing, and gradually approached the center table. Juan saw the danger which threatened his treasure, and, springing for ward, seized the reins of the "broncho. :" Jimmy struck him with a sand club, which laid him senseless At the same time he backed the animal against the table and shouted "Hey Rube !"
 "Hey Rube" is the circus-man's battle-cry, and was the signal for Jimmy's pal to look ont for the nugget. As they re echoed the cry, Jimmy dug the spurs into the ''bron- cho." It kicked. Over went the table i; smash went the glass case, and away went the nugget twenty feet from where it laid. AS it fell there was wild rush for it's pos session. The Mexicans, led by Juan, who had recovered from the blow, made desper- ate exertions to retain the precious specimen, but were quickly overcome by the fercer ef- forts and keener activity of the white faced rogues. It was Gringo against Greaser, and Gringo won. Micky Free finally grabbed the nugget and passed it to Jimmy, who dexter ously placed it in leather bag swung from his pummel. He then urged his "broncho" through the crowd, riding over all in his way, and, reaching the street, galloped at full speed fer a rendezvous in the noun tains AS he rode off the Mexicans gave him a salute from their pepper trees, one ball grazing his shin. His pals followed. I was sheriff of the county, raised posse and pursued the scoundrels. We had brush with them in the canon, where Joe Bell was shot, He told the whole story of the rob bery before he died, and is my authority for this narrative. Jimmy rode on, however, and never stopped till he reached cave in the mountains, where he was afterward found by his pals, less five laid out in the melee None of these except Joe Bell were mortalIy injured, but getting into the hands of indignant citizens,'' were uncerem oni- ously treated to hempen collars.