The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-10-17
A LITTLE MINING PLOT.
A UNIQUE WAY OF SALTINO A
WORTHLESS CLAIM.
Selling Out to China men-And After All
tho Ceicstisis Had tho Hest OF tho
Bargain-A Loaded Gun
and Snake.

In 1851 party Of American miners
had been working claim near Colum-
bia Tuolumne County. California, and
not having even found the "color."
they became discouraged; the more 80
as company OF Cinnamon short dis
lance above them were doing very
well. The Americans having expressed
willingness to sell. one day three
Cinnamon went to look at the claim.
They talked 1t over among themselves
and finally asked the owners at what
price they would sell. or course the
Americans made II out rich aud put a
high figure on 1t, though In fact they
were resolved to sell 1t out at any
price, being sure that the ground was
worthless. It was decided that the
Cinnamon should bring their picks and
pans the next day to prospect and II
they were satisfied they would buy at
the figure agreed upon.
The miners, thinking it would prob
ably be their last chance to sell. de-
termined to salt the claim. 1t was a
large piece Of ground and the trouble
was where to put the salt" One OF
the men soon hit upon very ingenious
plan. He took gun and went as he
said. to get a quail or two but in
reality to kill snake. AS there were
great many about the place. he soon
killed large gopher snake, which re-
sembles the large rattle snake In APP
pearance, but is perfectly harmless to
man. Putting his game into bag. he
returned to camp.
On being asked by his companions
what he had brought back for supper.
he shook out the snake and explained
his idea thus:
Now, boys, when the Cinnamon
come tomorrow, they won't allow any
| of us to be too near, because they're
afraid of salt Well, Jim, you walk
along on top OF the tank and have
that dead snake in your pocket. Bill
and me will stay talking to the Johns.
I'll have my gun over my shoulder as
If was going for a rabbit only you
see I'll put salt into the gun instead
| of shot Well find out where they
are going to pan out next, and you be
looking on, innocent-like, with the
snake ready to drop where toll you.
When them fellers start to walk
there. just slide him down the bank.
and when we all get there, I'll holler
Hold on, boysr and before they know
what's up. I'll fire the salt all around
there and make believe / killed the
snake. How'll that doP"
Next morning four Cinnamon came
prepared for work. They tried a few
places, but Of course did not get the
color" The Americans kept at a
distance so that there could be no COM
plant.
where you try noxt over in that
cornerp"
| The Cinnamon were suspicious in a
moment They were familiar with
sailed claims and were well on their
guard. mo likee dis corn Tile him
nrdder corn" pointing to the oppo-
site one.
Jim, with his hands in his pockets.
was above on the bank, many feet
away, watching; when he saw them
point in that direction, his partner
gave a'nod and he pitched the snake
on the ground near the place. The
leader exclaimed. Hold on, boys!"
and fired before they could tell which
way to look. Going up to the snake,
he pushed the gun under it and carried
it away hanging over the barrel. Jim
walked of and Bill sat on wheel
barrow on the opposite side from
where they were at work. The China
men had no suspicion. They carried
away several pans Of dirt to wash in q
stream near by, and when they re-
turned Bill felt pretty sure they had
struck some, of the salt, but the
Cinnamon said nothing except Claim
no good. Mclean man talkee too
muchee."
The Americans knowing the game,
refused to take less than the specified
price, which the Cinnamon finally paid
and in two days the sellers were off to
new diggings.
The strangest part Of the story is
that the claim turned out to be one of
the richest in the district The China
men made great deal Of money. sold
4