Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1891-05-30
"RED FRANK WHEELER"
A ConvivIaI Pioneer. who Resolved
to Quit Drinking whisky and
Kent HIS Pledge

acRt Hth fieuke
The subject of this sketch needs no in
PRODUCTION to the old pioneers Of Nevada,
for he was known as widely as any Gov
ernor the State ever had. and probably,
by generous deeds. endeared himself to O
larger circle Of hardy toilers than ever did
any Of our millionaires. He had his faults,
for be was convivisl, and yet his reforms-
tion from whisky was complete and was
80 unique that 10 will bear reoounting.
Frank came from the Northern mines OF
California TO Nevada and was among the
first 10 reach the Reece river mining
section. There he tried prospecting for
a while with Indifferent success, and then
milling with no better luck. Then for q
while In Austin be was deputy Nasby %
under old Colonel Allen, but the occupa-
tion he soon found was 500 confning and
be quit IL 70 become manager Of
KING 4 o'LEARY's SALOON.
Here his desires had full swing, and
he could indulge In his favorite pastims OF
playing poker without meeting q soowl
when he faced his employer, for that was
part OF the business. But he never neg
lected his duties and when of shift aided
his employer 0'Leary in the store-room
back OF the saloon in making "Oregon
cider aud reducing the liquors. This
opened Franks eyes 10 the adulterations
praotioed In " tixing" the whisky, and he
resolved to reform, and upon making ihe
resolve he wrote 10 bis old mining" pard "
named Rhodehamel 1.-The following letter,
which the latter gave from memory TO this
writer, and the substance OF il Is here re-
produced because ID tells the story in .
style that marks the manner OF the man.
After the usual Introduction, Frank
said: 81 have a surprise In store for you
which will seem 80 incredible that fear
you will dismiss II by saying that 1 DOM
mean IL. have resolved at this late day
In life TO follow the good advice you gave
me many time and off, and which went
unheeded through pure cussedness on my
part. II Is really startling and hence
have prepared you for II by this slight in
PRODUCTION. Know then, my dear old boy.
that your wayward friend, over whom you
have 40 many times shed tears OF honest
grief for his persistent indulgence in the
cup that inebriaies, know, l say, that l
have resolved 70
STOP DRINKING WHISKY.
fear that you will doubt my resolution
and. therefore, must again assure you
that am In deep earnest and mean what
l say. Never again will / permit 9 drop
of pernicious liquor TO trickle down my
guilet. Never. on my sacred honor. do !
swear II. And would have sll my friends
go and do likewise, and for the sake Of the
ties that bind US together as old "psrds,"
l sincerely trust you will follow my ex-
ample. Promise me this and l will be
happy. II will be easy for you 70 take the
pledge. Nothing will ever tempt you to
break 10. You will have no desire when
once your eyes are opened as mine have
been. In fact you will admit as do. that
any may is id fool to drink whisky
when he can get good brandy. From now
on shall drink brandy" He kept his
pledge 10 the end Of his life, and although
his last days were spent In affiuence and
luxury even. through pointer got from
Sam Jones, by which he made $50, 900 In
Belcher, yet he never broke his pledge,
and the last ACT Of his life was to take Q
sip OF brandy.-Reno Gazette.