The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-12-05
HOW MINERS RESPECT WOMEN.
ChivaIry at u Premium In camp "nss
wives or Mothers Are There

Mr.. w. G.. Tonkin. of Silver City.
n. NJ. a mining expert and engineer,
is nj the Midland Mr.. Tonkin has
spent number of years in the West
ern wilds and has met the American
miner in almost all of his many phases.
In the course of conversation with
group of friends recently the question
of the Unborn gallantrv OF the Amerl-
can citizen to the fair sex became the
topic under discussion.
One gentleman remarked that lady
could travel all over the United States
alcne and suffer no Inconvenience or
ANNOYANCE. so long as her conduct did
not render ner liable TO the approaches
of the masher. He mentioned the play
of The Dnnies." where a group of
miners are waiting the arrival OF the
new school teacher on the stage. They
have bricks. broomsticks. baskets, tin
cans and other ''weepins" to make life
pleasant for him. The coach drives
up and neat. trim Young lady gets
down. The miners drop their weapons
sheepishly, smooth their heads and,
laking in their uncouth appearance,
sneak away.
Tonkin. of an instance in mining
camp that illustrates the veneration
with which these rough men regard
woman. A few months after my mar
riare | was sent through Lincoln
County, n. NJ. to survey some mineral
lands for railroad company. NJ wife
wanted to 70 with me. 1t was II camp
out expedition and case Of 'roughing
it. and no mistake. | finally consent
ed to her going with me, and we set
out with an ambulance, cooking out
fit, &C.. across the plains. $50 miles
from any railroad and into the heart of
the wilderness.
'One day terrific rain set in and
continued all night. In the storm |
lost my bearings and wandered about
until 8 O'Clock mt night. when | saw
Il light. | drove towards it. and came
ND to small miners cabin. | got
down, knocked at the door and was
admitted. | stated my case and asked
for shelter.
"'Come right in, stranger, and well
come was my answer.
Il glanced around the one room and
saw four roughly dressed miners. The
room had no floor. and only an open
fireplace, over which their frugal meals
were cooked. A few necessary articles
completed the entire furniture of the
cabin. My wife is with me-, | said.
and is out in the wagon now Here
boys. bundle out o this and help the
stranger in with his things. BE lively,
now said the spokesman. pulling of
his hat and Squarin@ things about.
"rh y helped us in with our goods,
got roaring fire to going aud then
forming in line near the leader. said:
Yer kindly welcome, mum. We amt
got much to Offer but yer can take the
ranch. Me an my mates'll git and
roost outside. Jess make yerself to
home an don't mind Us.
They were standing uncovered all
this time and when the speech was
ended filed out of their cabin aud
stayed out all night in the rain. in
spite of the earnest protests of my wife
aud myself. Those great bighearted,
rough men vacated their home for a
lady and would not let us remunerate
them in any way. We don't see no
wimmen folks in these diggins'-the
leader said-'an' we feels proud TO
know yer been here. What we done
ain't nothin' to talk about and we'd
lick mean skunk which wouldn't do
likewise for dy."-kunsas CITY
Star.