The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-11
A MINERS STORY.
Charles Experience with Lively
Judge Lynch.
But for the Timely Arrival of Friends His
Neck Would Have Been Longer and
This Yarn Much Shorter-The
Guilty Mans Deserts.

In the year 1850 a number of casual
acquaintance, who had a friendly feel
ing for each other, and whose mining
claims had given out about the same
time, proposed among themselves to go
out prospecting for new diggings. Care
fully examining the hills, gulches and
little streams of water on their way,
they concluded at last to take up claims
about three miles distant from the forks
of Nevada creek, at a place that had
been overlooked by former searchers for
treasure.
The prospect at first was good, but a
weeks work resulted unsatisfac torily.
Many were for abandoning the claim.
Some proposed another trial, deeper
down. Others said they would do as tho
majority decided, anu would have no
voice in the discussion. One somewhat
excitedly swore he would not leave
until he struck "bed rock or China. :"
He was joined by two of his ''chums,"
and they set to work in good earnest,
while the others lay at full length on
the ground, or stood lazily looking on,
chatting, and trying to reason the hard
workers out of the freak.
The camp soon followed the daily rou-
tine of miners life of the times,
with scarce an interruption, until the
provisions gave out, and Charlie was
sent TO go to the white Canvas Tent
to make the necessary purchases. This
tent and store was situated on a small
fat at the junction of two canyons about
fhrQa M loo or
was put up by trader to supply the
scattered gold adventures near the vi
cinity, and to serve as resort for idlers
on Sunday.
With two pack mules Charlie started
on his road, the butt of every one; as he
rounded the last point of the hill the
last shot reached his ears: Don't yer
nanny feel afraid ter let yer 60 alone?"
The answer was shouted back: mo, she
sent me to buy the little boys some
'lasses candy" and he disappeared from
view.
At noon man was seen putting for
our camp, apparently in great state of
excitement. His arms were swinging
about like windmills. He shouted out
something that none about could
fathom. He was supposed to be drunk
or crazy. Once he was near enough to
be understood he finally managed in
his exhausted and breathless state to
CIRCULATE: Judge Lynch-your man
White Tent"
In moment he was comprehended,
and the whole camp was in connection.
Revolvers were buckled on, the bowie
knife was placed in it's sheath in the
belt; then with hurried footsteps the
stranger and all left the claim. unheed-
ing the unguarded gold dust left behind.
There was but one thought-to save one
for whom every one felt that he would
fight against all corners.
Charlie was favorite, the youngest
and the weakest, most useful men,
Der; he was sort Of leader in all emer-
gencies, honest beyond doubt, no.
body when his services were not needed.
A nobody? Who was there that did not
respect and care for him? His energy
was proverbial; his freedom of speech.
his easy ways and cordial familiarity
made all lose sight of his superior ex-
cellence for the moment; but when
differences arose between our comrades
he soon took the bull by the horns and
smoothed matters over. He kept our
campfire free from disorders and
quarrels by the mere force of his under
standing of human nature. Often he
picked up other quarrels, getting the
parties down on him for interfering;
then with an adroit word or two made
the whole affair end in shouts of merri-
ment and general chase after him tc
pay him for his audacity. He was sell
dom caught, and generally knew how to
circumvent his boisterous friends. IE
difficulties and management he was a
born leader among men; he seemed tc
fall easily into place in a natural
way. None would have suspected his
powers until the occasion came; then il
was he became . prime mover and
master spirit.
Charlie reached the trading post, and
this was his story:
"You see, boys, after l turned the
corner the old mule, Jim, as usual be-
gan to kick up his tricks. Two or three
times had to dismount and arrange the
pack-saddle; beyond this nothing of
consequence happened on the road un-
til reached the traders, old Beeswax,
and made my purchases Then packed
the goods and paid my bill with our
gold dust after which lolled about .