The Red Cloud chief., 1884-11-21
THE STORY OF HANG TOWN
How It Game to Be Called by
That Significant Name.

The winter Of 1879 wa not severe in
The Dry Diggin's. The population was
made up of English-speai1ing people.
Sandwich Islanders, old Californians,
and such rs could get there before the
tide of 40 set in. Miners from the
forks Of the American rivers had made
their winter quarters there, and there
was, no doubt. a pile Of gold dust big
enough to tempt the cup:iity of enter
prising hghwaymen. The log cabins
of the men lay along both sides Of the
main ravine and its branches. and these
were usually divided into two rooms.
the berths or siecping-cribs being built
arp, one above another, on both sides OF
this partition, which was usually cov-
cred with white muslin; but the log, did
moi come close together. and they who
lay in bed on the one side might hear
much of that which was spoken, even
In a low tone of voice on the other side.
IL 80 fell out that one night an Ameri-
can, lying awake upon one side. became
interested in what was TRANSPORTING in the
house OF his neighbors. who were French
men. IL seems that there was Il visiting
parry Of three countrymen there and the
entire company had passed the evening
playing. somebody losing heavily. The
occupants of the house had retired to
their bertiis, and one OF the visiting
party proceeded 10 rifle the ches. while
tbe Other two stood with drawn dirks
hv tho IaSS lhrnatapinn ip.t.uf .ln,.h
If either Of the slccpcrs moved. All of
fhis WAS overheard by our friend Nutter,
who understood French. The end of
the cabin occupied by his company was
next below. and only a few yards dis
tancc from the hall in which we lived.
and for which we paid the modest little
sum of S5oW-$i00 each-the other half
OF our house being owned by q Martin.
who with his wife and two children
lived there.
Now il so happened that in the long
evenings and balmy days our little room
was made 10 subscrve the interests of a
spelling circle, debating. court of judi
feature for the tria! of imaginary oilenses,
and n court of equity for the settlement
of differences between friends. IL had
fallen 10 my lot TO preside. and to this
date matters had been arranged so rs
ahat all felt that even-handcd justice
had been dealt out.
Vdsy naturally Nutter, the American.
made his appearance early next morning
seeking advice. There was no Justice of
The Peicc there, for the laws of the
United States had not been extended
over this region. There was no alcalde
except i'm the old settlements and mis-
sions. IL was a cssc requiring prompt
dispatch. The villains might already
be moving off with their stolen gold
dust. or. what was even worse. perhaps
dOmiciled i'm our very midst. like n lion
an his lair, ready TO pouncc upon some
Other unwary one. The result of a con
ference was that Nutter was appointed
Sheriff. to give these neighbors a call,
and ask for information concerning
shose visitors who came and went in
the pitchy darkness. The Frenchman
refused for fear of Vengeance, until, upon
a second visit they were notified they
themselves would be arrested rs con-
fcierates unless they revealed what
they knew. There was a cabin standing
vi the distance of. say. Il quarter of a
mile away from all others. ont in lonely
rarine. past which men from the forks
usually came with their treasure. How
1t came there. when il came, who lived
there, what they did, was all a mystery.
One old man was sometimes seen. but
he was busy. appearing to notice nothing
hut his work. Nevertheless, suspicion
had often pointed her finger ut that hab-
itntion when some robbery had been
committed. or some murdered man found
by the wayside. and when Natter re-
-inrned with his report that seyen men
lived there; and that the three robbers
were a part Of that band. ~itreguired no
long speeches to bring the company to
:, decisive stand.
Locked in for the season by wrctched
roads impossible for teams ten miles
from the nearest settlement-Sutter'
mill-the discovery of a nest of viperS
at work in our very midst caused each
one TO feel it to be important that no
time be lost. The two Frenchmen were
warned not to o out of their house,
nor to communicate by signs or other
wise with anyone during the day. Mean.
while word was quietly given to such
u tO0ia w tCifNd NDOI W aSs. ASN ~
tian darkness reigned that evening when
Nutter opened the door where the
armed sat around the supper
table, and charged them with the theft.
In an instant hands moved to the re-
volvers by the sides. a shrill whistle by
xhe Sheriff checked them, and when
twenty brave men armed like them.
selves came through that door and stood
around them. they surrendered. The
excitement was intense.
Ex-Judge Russell of Oregon, was
there 1t the time. and as l declined to
take the responsibility in the presence
of one skilled in law, he took the bench.
A court was organized, jury impanneled,
prosecuting attorney and prisoners
counsel appointed. in order that every
thing should be done fairly. The result Of
the first trial was that nothing beyond
the act of robbery was proven. and the
three on Sunday morning received 8
service of thirty-nine iashes on the bare
back, although none doubted that they
deserved hanging. They had escaped
che gailows.
One of the men-they called him
French Charley-a short stout. restless
fellow with a face that might index the
soul of Q fiend-vociferated in his native
tongue against all the participators in
fhaf act Soon il came out that there
were thirty-three members of the band
operating otherwheres. This awfu
Charley Was the lieutenant He vowed
death to judge. jury. and all conserved
his being Interpreted fired the pop
UYnce. ffndence forbade the further
Uecation Of the sentence. / e.. Danish