The Wilmingtonian., 1886-08-14
Story of SiIent Jos.

reached Chicago. The former intended 60
ing to Colorado, while the latter, who said
he was butcher, decided to remain in
Chicago and work at his trade for a time.
They took quarters together in a cheap hotel,
and to further reduce expenses, occu-
pied one bed.
On the night before Miller was to leave for
the far west, and as they were about ready
to go to bed, he took out and counted his
money. He had s290.50, and, knowing that
his companion had but dollar or two, he
handed him $40 bill.
81 won't take it from you except as a
loan," said Dawson.
sThat's all right" replied Miller. 81
shall write you, and whenever you can spare
it you may send it along"
"But you don't know me we have been
together only few days"
81 can tell square man on sight. Put
this in your wallet"
While Miller was rolling up his money
Dawson got up and passed behind him. All
of sudden Miller lost consciousness.
In the summer of 1869 the writer was one
of the inhabitants of mining camp ON the
Purgatory River in southern Colorado. One
day tenderfoot reached our camp. He was
veritable scarecrow in general appearance.
He hadn't a shilling in money nor an ounce
of outfit, and when we came to question him
it was discovered that he was only "half
baked" He gave his name as Joe, but he
had nothing else to tell When asked what
ntb xuha ha
how he reached us, &c., he looked from face
to face in vacant way and shook his head
We were not the kind of men to turn chap
like that loose to be scalped by the Indians
or to perish of starvation. We made him
wash up, put on the garments we oontribut-
ed, and after he had got square meal he
looked and acted like different man.
One Off two terminates was an old sur
geon from Ohio, and, as we had roomy quar-
ters, he suggested that we take Joe in. The
suggestion was adopted, and he was Installed
as cook and laundryman. He was a very
willing hand, and when his work at the
house was finished he stood ready to help us
at the mine. So far as speech went, we got
no more out of him after month than ON the
first day. He called every meal supper. He
called every article of wash a shirt. Every
day in the week was Wednesday to him. l
could say to him, "Here, Joe, fetch pail
of water" and he would take the pail and
hurry away, but if l said, "Now, Joe, what
State do you hail from ?" he would stand
and stare at me with open mouth. The min.
ers played many joke on HIM, and some Of
them were pretty rough ones, but no one
ever saw him get angry. When we found
that he would not answer questions put tC
him verbally, we tried him in writing. If,
for instance, we wrote the query "Whert
do you live ?" he would take the pencil, al
if about to reply, but before he could make
mark the idea would slip away from him,
and he would sadly shake his head and turn
away. One day, when he had been with us
about six weeks, entered the tent and saw
the surgeon cutting Joe's hair, which was
very long and unkept.
essay, I'm right about this fellow" an
nounced the surgeon.
'How P''
sWhy, I've had an idea for a month past
that he lost his memory through some injury
to his head. Here's the trouble. He has
received blow right here, and portion O.
the skull is pressing on the brain. III war
rant he was as quick-witted as anybody be
fore this hurt"
'How long ago was it inflicted p"
ga year or more. An operation by skill
full surgeon would restore him to his righ
mind"
While that may be so, the chances for i
were extremely dubious. We were cbarit
able as far as our means would allow, bu
we were all poor. When Joe had been will
us about two months a miner was one nigh
robbed of his little hoard; then second wa
robbed of his provisions, a third had his re
volver stolen and men came to us and de
clared their belief that our Joe was th
guilty person. We could not believe this
but agreed to watch him. For severa
nights we took turns at spying, but, Will
he did not leave the cabin, another theft wa
committed. For a month we were complete
ly upset by the mysterious doings arount
us. On two occasions some one prowlinl
around at night was fired on, but he go
safely away. In spite of all we could sa
the suspicion kept growing that our Joe wa
the guilty party. We let men into the cabi
to see that he did not leave his bed, but it s
happened that on those Particular nights N
devitry was committed. 1t was suggeste
that he be driven out of camp, and when W
refused to countenance any such step, two
thirds of the camp held aloof from us, an
reports were circulated to our detrment.
One morning a miner, who was suppose
to be the richest man in the camp, was foun
weltering in his blood. He had discovere
man in his tent the night before, and ha
boldly clutched him. In the struggle
had been stabbed in three places, and wa
severely though not mortally wounded. TIL
surgeon was called to dress his hurts, aud
his presence and that of dozen others til
wounded man declared that ne had recogn
zed his would-assassin as our Joe. All of u
had slept soundly that night, and while W
believed in Joe's innocence, we could not
positive that he had not left the cabin. TIL
miners knocked off work end went growlin
around, and about 10 o'clock in til foreuoo
rush was made for our cabin. They ha
determined to hang Joe. The three of |
got out our revolvers to defend him, and IL
angry mob was held at bay on the slope f,
a few minutes We had placed Joe nsd