The Republican., 1890-12-05
PETTiCOATS IN CAMP.
Senator Stewards RemIniscence OF tn.
Gold DigEings in Early Days.

Senator Stewards "Reminiscences OF tn,
Gold DigElngs in Early Days.
Senator Stewart, OF Nevada, occasion
ally relapses into "reminiscences. One
of the best stories he tells is of the ar
rival of the first woman in the mining
camp. Tho boys had toiled with pan
and roacher at Washoe for three years
without SO much as glimpse of a sun
bonnet. Late of an afternoon shout
was heard. The cry was taken up and
repeated until it rang from end to end
Of the gulches: "Petticoatsw Petit
coats!" Down went the picks and
shovels. The red shirted miners
swarmed up the hillsides. An emigrant
wagon, '.'all the way from Pike" was
slowly moving along to csmping-place.
A lone "Puke" sat on the seat in front.
The lucky miner who had raised the
shout tod how he had seen live
woman sitting beside a man when the
wagon first hove in sight. But as soon
as he gave notice by the warning cry
she had lodged back out of sight be-
meath the canvas cover. Piled with
questions by the less fortunate, the
miner described in glowing detail how
the woman was dressed and what she
looked like.
That evening, while the slices Of pork
were sizzling and the coffee pots were
bubbling, the miners discussed the great
event. The more they talked the moro
they felt that they must see woman.
Somebody proposed purse and visit
to the emigrant's camp. One after an
other they Clipped in. There were
$4,000 in gold dust when the last con-
tribution was turned in. Then, forming
in line and looking very solemn, just as
they did when they marched in to see
''The Luck of Roaring Camp" these
miners started for the wagon of the
Missourian. By aunanimous vote BILL"
Stewart had been selected for spokes-
msn. He walked at the head of the
procession and carried the bag Of gold
dust. AS the column approached within
sight of the little camp the leaders saw
"a fiutter of drapery at the front Of an
improvised tent. Then the flap was
hastily drawn, and as the miners ap-
outfit and he gazed rather apprehen-
sively at the array.
A big ring was formed: Stewart ad-
vanced to the center. He explained to
the traveller that the boys meant no
harm to him or his. But it had been
three years since some of them had seen
woman. In fact, until the arrival
that afternoon, the gulches of Washoe
had never been honored with the pres
ence of petticoats. The boys had
deemed the occasion worthy of recogni-
tion. They had made up, not exactly a
Jackpot, but a purse, which he was
commissioned to present to the lady.
The Missourian listened AS the lit
tie speech neared the climax he grinned.
When Stewart held up the buckskin
bag the emigrant's eyes grew big. He
turned and started with alacrity for the
tent.
sally" he said, come out and show
yourself. The boys don't mean to hurt
ye. They've got somethin' fur ye'
Leading the frightened woman by the
hand, the Missourian turned to where
Stewart was standing. Stewart handed
over the buckskin bag with his most
elaborate bow. The woman took it,
made an awkward acknowledgement
and scooted for the tent. AS she disap-
peared there went up shout which
made the coyotes hunt their holes for
miles around.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
Crat