Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-05-19

49,
the George Washington Gulch. If one
had about that time quietly investigated
among the strange characters who
formed the curiously cosmopolitan
population of that Colorado valley, with
view to learning who among their
number was held in the highest esteem,
We would have found that "the parson"
was the man. Never let it be imagined
for o moment that the parson of the
Gulch was the orthodox parson, in the
habit of wearing broadcloth of clerical
cut and white cravats. He wore q
broad brimmed hat, certainly, but it
was of the approved cowboy pattern; to
q coat he was well nigh a stranger, being
content to appear in a heavy red woolen
shirt; while for trousers he substituted
the highly ornamented and picturesque
buckskin breeches affected by Mexicans,
Indians and other denizens of the far
West. 1t is also certain that the title of
reverend had never been, verbally or in
writing, prefixed to his name, and yet
he knew, and the boys knew, that to be
called "Parson Jim" was in itself mark
of distinction in q district where men
were supposed to have no official titles
or surnames, while Christian names
were invariably reduced to monosylla-
bles.
Parson Jim's record and capabilities
were hardly such as would recommend
him rs o candidate for church in COM
munities laying claim to advanced civil
ization. He could not read the Penta.
teuch in the original Hebrew, or discuss
the Thirty-ni Articles; but he was a
dead shot with revolver, and could
ride the back of a bucking broncho. The
Westminster Catechism was O sealed
book to Parson Jim, but he could set q
broken limb, raise tent or build q shanty
with the next man. And because he
was as cool as ice when fiery blood
coursed through the veins of other men
because he was brave as a hon-be-
cause he was gentle as q woman with
sick men-because he had big heart
because he spoke kindly words-and be-
cause nothing came amiss to Parson
Jim, the rough specimens of humanity
in George Washington Gulch loved and
respected him as they never could have
loved and respected grave and learned
doctor Of divinity from the East.
Now, in q Western mining town it is
o gross breach of etiquette to make in
quiries as to q mans pedigree, or to at
tempt to learn more than he chooses to
tell Of his history prior to his arrival in
the camp. So long as he is square"
and behaves himself he is one of "the
boys" and as such is bound to them by
q sort of freemasonry. Hence, when
Parson Jim came to the Gulch and an
nounoed himself as q preacher, the
miners asked no questions. They did
not take ''much stock" in preaching, but
they were disposed to give the newcomer
q "show," and when time passed, and
Parson Jim proved to their satisfaction
that he was made of the right "stuff,"
they not only tolerated him, but made
him heartily welcome.
There was no church in the Gulch,
there was no school house; there was
not even hall of any kind. There was,
however, q large frame shanty used for
awhisky saloon, named by its proprietor
''The Rocky Mountain Sample Rooms"
In the West, be it remembered, all the
drinks are samples, no matter if the
same consumer gets away with fifty
glhSbeb lIOIn Tue same D0tIel.
Parson Jim made his appearance in
the gulch during the winter immediate
ly following the summer when the Hon.
Samuel Green made his important dis
covery of the existance of silver in the
valley. He arrived on handsome roam
mare, without bag or baggage, and made
his quarters at the rude hotel connected
with the Rocky Mountain Sample
Room. During the evening there was q
scuffle in the large bar room, and the
newcomer looked in through one of the
doors TO see what was the trouble. A
young.a and slender lad of perhaps 10 or
20 years was struggling with . brutal
looking, muscular giant Of twice his age
It was only question Of minutes when
the big rough fellow would ''down" his
young opponent, and yet the dozen or
80 of onlookers made no attempt at in
reference. Just as the new arrival ap-
peared on the scene the Younger COM
bs.tant got in q nasty blow which evi-
IDENTIFY hurt and irritated his opponent
Quick as lightning the hiO fallov flrav