The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-12
WHEN WOMEN WERE SCARCE.

A Senator's Story of the Reception Given
the First Woman in California
When Stewart, the student, went to
California the women were left at home.
The senator occasionally relapses into rem
iniscences One of the best stories he tells
is of the arrival of the first woman in the
mining camp. The boys had toiled with
pan and rocker at Washoe for three years
years without so much as glimpse Of
sunbonnet. Late of an afternoon a mighty
shout was heard. The cry was taken up
and repeated until it rang from end to end
of the gulches: 'Petticoatsi Petticoats"
Down went the picks and shovels. The
red shirted miners swarmed up the hill
sides. An emigrant wagon, ''all the way
from Pike was slowly moving along 10
camping place. A lone "Puke" sat on the
seat in front The lucky miner who had
raised the shout told how he had seen
live woman sitting beside 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 beneath the can
vas 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 bub-
bling, the miners discussed the great
event The more they talked the more
they felt that they must see a woman.
Somebody proposed purse and visit to
the emigrant's camp. One after another
Clipped in There was 5000 in god dust
when the last contribution 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 unanimous vote "Bilr' Stewart had
been selected for spokesman. He walked
at the head of the procession and carried
the bag of gold dust. As the column APP
preached within sight of the little camp
the leaders saw hutter of drapery at the
front of an improvised tent. Then the
flap was hastily drawn, and as the miners
approached they saw only the man Of the
outfit, and he gazed rather apprehensively
at the array.
A big ring was formed; Stewart advanced
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 o.
Washoe had never been honored with the
presence of petticoats The boys had
deemed the occasion worthy of recogni-
ton. They had made up, not exactly a
jackpot, but a purse, which he was COM
missioned TO Acesent to the lady.
The Missourian listened. AS the little
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 We.
They've got somethin' fur ye''
Leading the frightened woman by the
hand the Missourian returned to where
Stewart was standing. Stewart handed
over the buckskin bag with his most elab-
crate bow. The woman took it, made an
awkward acknowledgment and scooted
for the tent. As she disappeared there
went up shout which made the welkin
ring and coyotes hunt their holes for miles
around.-Cor. st. Louis Globe-Democrat.