The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-24
LIFE AT CAMPO sEcO.


attendance at the polls.
LIFE AT CAMPO sECO.
How the Law Was Administered In the
Shadow OF Table Mountain.
1t was in Campo Seco (Dry campl four
miles south of Sonora aud one mile east
of jamestown, in Tuolumne county. Cal,
In 1852. On the west was Table mountain.
that stands out like q true water line
against the sky as far as the eye can reach,
both to the north and south. At its
foot on the east, and running par
allel with the mountain for several
miles, is Woods creek. East Of
the creek and one mile distant
was Campo Seco, which formed the
nucleus around which conferred numerous
ravines. all pointing tow ards and draining
into Woods creek. These ravines or
gulches were not abrupt, but gradual,
depressions caused by the general
undulating formation of the coun-
try. They were alive with miners
representing nearly every nationality
and all making good wages. A day laborer
got his S., while many of the claim owners
cleared their hundreds. The laws in these
mines were according to the revolver and
and jury, and from which there was no
appeal. Many a man saw the last light of
day in this camp. and his friends and rela-
tives will never know how or where his
trail ended.
but very little. To be caught at either was
certain death. Owing to this state of
affairs pistol and knife practice became
"a n1 CT Irrn <hnt orx ~
revolver after work hours was ever ring
cessfui competitor. On the south
ern extremity of town was a
large tent boarding house, in
front of which was q fine target ground.
backed by an eminence called Hangman's
knoll, that was guard against accidents
by stray shots. The pistols used were the
old Colts navy revoIvers, all of which we're
resighted and made to work nearly as easy
as hair-trigger. OF an evening would be
seen on this ground from ten to 100 peo-
pie, some practicing, while others were
there only as spectators or to bet on their
favorite.
Prominent among those ever at practice
was young man, q tenderfoot from New
York state. He was scarcely past q years.
the youngest man in the party. though he
easily excelled all in the use of the re-
volver. have seen him set up six empty
bottles in q row and shoot off their
necks at thirty yards as fast as
he could fire his gun. Such
feats caused many remarks on the side,
such as: MAY be if he had to face a man
with another gun he would not prove SO
proficient" Some had their doubts, while
Others would go their pile he would be
there under any circumstances. This
question, owing to combination
OF circumstances. was soon settled,
and in such way that future comment
on the quantity of the boys sand was
unnecessary. This young man worked by
the day until he became proficient in min
ing, when he bought the claim of q person
who wished to return to his home in the
East. 1t was partially worked out claim.
though there was some good ground
left. 1t was in deep branch gulch empty.
ing into one Of the large ravlnes, about
half mile west of town, ard as water
was becoming scarce, it was the only claim
being worked in the gulch. The owner
hired man to work with him, paying him
S. day. As the claim was paying about
an ounce ($1s) day to the man, the hired
man, Fred, proposed to buy an interest
in 1t. price was agreed upon,
the money paid. and after that nightly
dividend OF equal amounts was shared be-
tween the two partners. Now. in all camps
there are ever to be found few lazy,
shiftless individuals, who, instead of Sc
curing claims in the customary way by
purchases or discovery, according to min
ers' camp laws, would watch an opportu-
nifty to jump q claim or scare tenderfoot
from his ground. 1t was party of these
that, finding york State"-I will call
him that hereafter-had got valuable
claim, employed Fred to buy the interest
for them, knowing that they could not
buy. Hearing that the water was to be
shut of that ravine the next day,
these parties went to the claim,
thinking they could get their money
back. Fred failed to make his ap-
pearance, and "York State" was
working away alone. wondering why Fred
didn't come. Hearing voices he looked
up and saw five hard-looking customers
strangers to him-approaching and but a
few yards distant. After passing the
time of day they proceeded to state their
errand. I'VE have come" said they, ito
get the money back Fred paid for
this claim. which he bought for u.s."
For an excuse they accused York of
selling ground that he never owned. York
answered that he had not done so, when
they, pretending q passion. said they
knew he did. and they also knew he had
the money on his person and they were
going to have it. Gan right" said York,
at the same time pulling his gun; eff this
is your play, here is my hand. The first
one of you that moves toward q gun dies
in his tracks" In the place of
five staggering bravadoes stood five
ghostly looking statues that dared not
move hand. "Let him Alone" said the
only one with courage to speak; 1--WE will
go to Seco and send Judge after him."
York replied: walk right off, boys, and
send the judge, but if you know what is
good for your health you will keep
out Of my way hereafter" That
was the last seen of them in
camp. but they gave themselves away, and
York" became quite a hero. He was one
day asked how he felt alone there with the
FIVE "Ob." he said, 81 was sure l could
get the i've before one could get bead on
me. You see l had the drop on them so
completely that they were paralyzed with
fear"
Notwithstanding that shooting and cut.
ting was of daily occurrence, brought about
by personal broils that no one was inter-
ested in except the parties in the fray, very
little attention was attracted toward them
by the working miners. These men had