Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30

the city bred youth who was more intimate
with the "pen" than the pick; the thrifty
storekeeper in his buggy had a greeting for
the sailor who had deserted his ship; and
there were city people and couutrymen,
stockmen from the interior and mechanics
from the coast, everyone intent on getting
| to the gold field, under the firm conviction
that fortune awaited him, whatever luck
his neighbor might have. Now company
of stockmen-the Australian cowboys
would canter by on their feet "walers, :"
| followed in quick pursuit by party Of
shearers-the dandies of the bush; at one
time an overturned wagon would be met,
and, despite their hurry, willing hands
were not wanting in assisting to right 1t,
and at another a halt would be made to
| fall tree to allow passage to larger dray
than usual.
Thus, with many incidents and side views
of bush characteristics, was the journey ac-
complished, and toward evening we found
ourselves in the immediate vicinity OF the
field. The ground was more broken than
hilly, and between the outlying spurs which
we saw in the distance was rumored to lie
the wished-for gold. And now that the
promised land was in view an uncomfortable
excitement seized everyone. 1t had been a
race-a go-as-you-please tournament-from
the first, but how depict the indescribable
rush that ensued when the locality was
fairly entered.
WILD RACE TO THE FIELD.
Every man ightened himself for the race;
each one put forth his. best efforts to dis
tance his fellows; bundles and packs were
slung away, horses cut from buggies and
wagons and ridden forward in q mad race,
and, arrived at the location OF the gold,
what struggle was there between men in
buggies and men on foot, men on horse
back and men mounted on bullocks un-
yoked from the drays, to reach the line of
claims already pegged out. And what q
hustling and scramble and cries of First"
''frstl'' intermingled with oaths and choice
expletives ensued, as a dozen men strove to
locate on one claim, each attempting to in
sert q peg where already had been driven
half dozen others. Men lost all control
over themselves; pegs were pulled out only
to be driven in again; personal encounters,
with arms and hands, proceeded by the
dozen, and it finally came to this-thst the
strong prevailed and the weak went to the
wall. But this was only q preliminary
measure, although a very necessary one, and
one on which to establish title to the claim
when the field should be duly proclaimed by
the Government warden, for not until then
could any pretension to a claim be brought
forward.
When gold is discovered the fact is iudi-
Gated by hoisting red flag, information is
given at the nearest land Office and an officer
sent down to report on the prospects. If
they are good a warden is appointed, after
time the district is proclaimed as gold
field. when any man may come along and
peg out certain section of the land and dig
for gold, provided he has paid the Govern
ment the sum of 10 shillings for doing so for
one year.
THE wARDEN'S CHIEF DUTY
is to issue these licenses, decide between rival
applicants for claims, and take magisterial
charge of the district Although no man is
recognized as being in possession of ground
before proclamation is made, the man who gets
his pegs in and keeps them there has the best
chance of getting ultimate possession. A man
who tries to mark out section single-handed
stands poor chance of succeeding, even sup
posing he got his pegs in, for, before the war
den. he would be overwhelmed by the weight
of testimony against him of his neighbors who
would swear he wasn't there at all. Hence,
experienced miners always form party of
four or more, and having once located claim,
prepare to hold it, wi ct armis" against all
comers. In this relation it may be observed
that the persuasive argument of the six-shooter
and bowie knife is very seldom brought into
requisitior in the colonies. 1t is against the
law to have or carry such weapons. either con-
cealed or openly, and since it is not customary
TO carry them they are seldom brought into
use.
SETTLING DISPUTES BY FIST FIGHTS.
When dispute occurs-and the Australian
is sufficiently pugnacious-a ring is formed, it
is seen that both combatants receive fair play,
and the question at issue Is decided in the
good old fashion known to our forefathers,
by dint of personal prowess and skill in the use
OF the hands.
1t was more than a week after my arrival
=. NJ G.a16
but in the meanwhile the miners had not been
idle, and the whilom cover of the kangaroo.
wallaby and brush turkey was changed into the
habitat of man. A street ran the length of
gully, bordered on either side by shsnties made
of rough timber and the bark of the blue gum.
At one end stood a theater and at the other a
church; there was hank and postoffice and
stores. A town had sprung up as If from the
ground. and by the eventful Gay of proclama-
tion not a likely piece of ground was left un-
claimed, and 5000 people had squatted in and
around the new town of Temora-
As high noon of the fateful day drew near,
the air was filled with excitement. The firing
of a gun was to indicate that the moment of
interest had arrived. l took up position near
the center of the gully where the anxiety to
secure a piece of ground was keenest. Every
claim hereabouts had its score or more claim
ants, each prepared with his wooden peg when
the decisive moment should arrive. Every
party had its member at each corner
PREPARED TO ACT IN CONCERT,
for it was necessary the four pegs should 60
down at the same time. Very silent and deter
mined became each group as the hour ap-
preached, and the scene, a few minutes before
noon of that day, was certainly an impressive
one. No man could tell but q fortune lay
under his feet.
Suddenly the report of shot rang oul on the
still midday air.
As If struck by tornado the various groups
fell to the ground to drive in their pegs. In an
instant shouts and imprecations rose from the
struggling groups at each corner, as every
member of them pushed and jostled and strove
to get peg into the ground at the same time
and spot as dozen others Conceive hundreds
of squirming, gasping, struggling knots of hu-
ana lying prone on the ground, trying to reach
one small spot, resembling nothing SO much as
a scrimmage in game of football. but more
deadly in earnest, and some notion may be |
gained of the scene spread over the extent of
the field. The excitement was terrific Men
strove and fought as If their future happiness |
depended on the result. One man had his ear
pegged to the ground and another his hand. |
Others had arms and legs seriously injured, |
while some were unrecogniZable in feature
after the struggle on the ground. But just as
suddenly
THE EXCITEMENT ABATED.
Tapes were produced. and, after careful
measurements had been taken, the claims were
left in possession of tnese whose pegs were
nearest the proper mark, subject, of course, to
the decision of the warden after . proper
survey.
Then the work of opening up shafts was COM
menced, but not as rapidly as would be sup
posed Under the law regulating gold mining |
operations, a claim was held to be abandoned if |
not worked for "a hours. Accordingly at IL |
O'Clock every day men issued from their tents
wifi chnrel ehOnldar nrOCaQda6