Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-24
THE MARsHALs OF TIN CUP.
The Tragic Fate of Seven Peace Omcers
in Colorado Mining Camp.

GHHHts0n tCOt) ReCieeC-PreSS.
In this little chapter it is the intention
of the ReUielc- Press writer to take one
village in the Gunnison country, and
from that one camp take just one official
post, and by giving the history of the in
cumbents Of that office for the past three
or four years, 1t is to be hoped a picture
of real life in the mountains will be
brought down from indefinite Yagaries
entertained by our Eastern friends TO the
common everyday experience of border
life. What appears in the limited sphere
TO which this narrative is confined of
course appears in varied forms, and often
with more thrilling details in almost any
other vocation.
Tin Cup is one of Gunnison county's
richest mining camps. 1t is situated far
up on the backbone of the Rockies, facing
the Pacific, within close proximity to per-
petual snow, and where burrO trails form
the principal means of approach and
egress. The mountains are underlaid
with the ''shining dirt" and the streams
glitter with sparkling placers. In 1880
the camp had its first great boom, and
thousands of prOspectors, miners, and
gamblers { who always centre about BOOM
ing camps }, turned toward the gOld-bear-
ING cliffs and rocks which Law uD among
the very clouds. A crude municipal goV2
eminent for the camp was created. A
Mayor, Council, and a Marshal were
selected The roughs completely con-
trOlled everything, and of course selected
the officers. They chose for their Mar
shall, or Chief OF Police, +. b. Willis, or
''Old Man Willis,' as he was known. He
was waited upon and informed by author
lty Of those who created him Marshal that
''the first man he attempted TO arrest
would be his last" He was told to see
nothing or know nothing that transpired;
that he was simply elected to give the
fNam tho ~ haiDr or5a &c
in that way it would be less difficult to
get ''tenderfeet" into the camp and fleece
them. 'SOld Man Willis' did his part
nobly. He never arrested man or got
cent for his service the entire term.
The next Marshal of Tin Cup was Tom
Lahay, brave and fearless border rufian.
His term expired March, 1882. There are
many stories told of his daring deeds. At
times he would, just to show that he could,
assert his right as Chief of Police and
stand off an entire mob of half-drunken
miners or tin-horn gamblers. After
capturing four or five of them, he would
disarm them, start them for the station
house, then release them as he got to the
door to show his contempt for them.
lie was followed by Frank Emerson, a
brave and popular miner, who had many
years experience rOUghing it in the
mountains, and feared nothing. After
short term, during which he asserted his
authority, and was as frequently opposed
by the eX-Marshal, the two men met in
deadly combat, and Frank Emerson was
carried from the street a corpse.
Harry Rivers, another typical noun
taineer, and as brave boy as ever crossed
the range, was the next to put on the star
as Marshal of Tin Cup. This was also in
1882. The dance halls and gambling dens
were running night and day; ''stud
. poker" "keno," and ''bucking the tiger''
reigned supreme. Thousands OF dollars
were daily flowing into the rich camp. A
genuine effort was now being made to
control the rOughs. Harry frequently dis
armed men who defied him, and marched
them singe-handed to the lock up. One
night he was called to arrest one Of the
principal gamblers and saloon keepers,
Charley La TOurette. Harry knew he
had the worst man in camp TO deal with,
1 but did not shrink. He walked boldly up
to him and told him ne must go with him.
A quarrel followed and guns were drawn.
Rivers, by his commanding address and
| fierce eyes, conquered his man without
shot, and they started on arm in arm for
the station house. They had proceeded
but block or two when La Tourette
pulled a gun from another pocket and shot
him dead. Thus ended the life of another
~ ma di1e 6n ~ lhtidenp IN MS career as
| shall, Jack Ward was a noted charaoe--
| in the mountains. He was then, as he is
! now. known in every camp, and his name
/ was the terror to all to whom he did take
! a fancy. He brought burro train into
! Tin Cup one day and it was but a few hours
until he and his pals into row with the
| residents, miner, and gamblers, and a
pitched battle in the street was the result.
Fully a hundred shots were fired. Harry
| Rivers rushed to the scene. 1t was get
| ting dark. He singled out the daring
Jack Ward, and started for him. Several
shots passed between them, but Harry
captured his man. He was locked up ana
paid his fine. 1t was Jacks first sur
render; he resolved it should be his last
He reformed, went to preaching, and IS
to-day occupying the pulpit in the new
camp of GleenWOod Springs, in Garneld
county, this State.
sam Micky was the next victim. He
accepted the responsibility reluctantly,
Int brayely did his duty. His life was
constantly threatened, and he not untre-
duently came near going the road OF his
ilIustrious predecessors. Seven months
after his appointment his strong mind be-
came shattered form the constant pres
! SIRE and excitement, He became insane
and was sent to an Illinois asylum, where
in a few weeks he died-still braVely pac'
ing his cell and fancying that he was
walking his beat as Marshal of Tin Cup
; ANDY Jameson was finally induced tt
t put on the Inflated star, and do duty az
) Chief OF Police. He was doomed to an
4 early and sad end. A few months after
: | his appointment he was shot in quarre
: bv Will TAYLOR. This was in the fall O
t 1888. For the first time in the history 0
/ these Marshals was the murderer pun
S ished. Taylor was arrested, tried in Gun
e nis0n. convicted, and is now serving a tivC
a wears term at Canyon City.
r For some time the position remaine'
t vacant, but at last Dave COrsaut an oil
;. pioneer who was identified with the earl.
n border history of Kansas during the JOIN
s Brown days, and who has for years beel
J, in the mountains, accepted the star tina
t had gone down with so many brave boys
J. This was but a few months ago, and he
to-day wearing that Inflated star. III
d name and his fame make him a terror
S and he may, for the first time in the his
j. tory Of the camp, serve his term and say
!. his life. Thus the history Of Marshals {
r Tin Cup is brought down to the presen
lie The narrative is of little account here, bu
J. NAV be read with some interest by res
ID dents of the quiet Eastern and MlddI