Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-11
WHAT LUCK


Phenomenal Escape from Death by a
Colorado Mining Boss.
After nearly a century's sleep some
four years ago the town of San Filipe,
in the State OF Guanajuata, Mexico,
walked up with a mining boom. The
long abandoned shafts, up whose
rough hewn steps the poems of the
alcades toiled laboriouslv, bearing
leathern bags Of ore, were pumped
out ana equipped with modern ma
chinery. Old veins bled wealth anew
and even discarded tailngs were re-
worked, yielding heavy percentage
of profit. There was tremendous
influx Of population. White men
and yellow Cinnamon throngcd into
the adobe town and rubbed shoulders
with the listless Mexicans, who had
been eating their tortillas so many
years in peace and quiet. save when
surplus Of pulque was let loose and
the deadly machetas paved the way
for few extra funerals
OF course, the gamblers, the
hangers-on and the painted women
followed the miners. and the sleepy
old town walked up at night ana fur
nished high revel for the invaders
Plug hats and "biled" shirts were ex-
ceptional; overalls top boots, with
a large caliber Colt as plated orna-
ment, furnished the custume de
rigueur. Mexicans carried knives In
their hair and tried to keep up with
the procession by consuming fiery
'mescap whenever their slender pay
would allow it, and the female men,
bers of their families skirmishcd for
the supply of red peppers and brill
liant calicOes. necessary for the pur-
pose of food and fashion.
One evening Tole, the big mining
boss was attracted by noisy crowd
clustered about the monte table. He
noticed two villianons Mexicans hold
ing a "jawing match with his in
terpreter, Eduardo, and Immediately
concluded that his favorite was
doomed to death one way or another.
The talk had evidently reached a
climax, for both greasers whipped out
their long knives. Tole, who had
drawn his revolver anticipating
trouble, fired at the first Mexican.
There was yell and wild rush.
The crowd at the table Joined the
melee, the lights were blown out and
wild fight followed.
The next thing that Tole heard
was that another Mexican had been
gathered to the halls OF Montezuma
He went home and tried to rest, but
the thought of the dead man weighed
heavily on his conscience. He moaned
and muttered in his sleep, and was
up early in the morning. During the
following months poor Tole was in
constant fear Of arrest, but could
learn nothing OF the murdered man
or the one who escaped. The facts
Of the case had been purposely sup
pressed.
One morning he met the inter.
prefer, Eduardo who had left town
the day after the trouble. "Buenos
Dias, that was quite racket" said
the interpreter, nonchalantly.
~ did not mean to kill the man."
said Tole, YEARLY, "but thought
they were going TO end you" "Non
sense" responded Eduardo, ''they
were quarreling about their own at
fairs You did not kill any one
your bullet struck one of the Greascrs
in the heel and started them on the
run, but the last one put his machete
through the other mans heart just
as he was climbing over the wall.
You want to practice with that new
gun Of yours"
The shot saved the other Mexican's
life, for by showing his wound he i'm.
pressed the jury that he fired in self.
defense, which made him life saver
instead of murderer in the eye of
the lenient but going Mexican
law.
This same Tole had a remarkable
adventure in Gold Hill. Nevada in
1877. He had charge of a mine and
incurred the enmity of the laborers
One night three stalwart s'walking
delegates" attacked him in bal
room. Two of them pinned him
down. while third stood over him
with revolver, the muzzle almost
touched his stomach. Once, twice,
thrice, fourth and fifth time the
weapon snapped. Tole closed his
eyes; each moment he, expected to be
his last. The disguised rutfian threw
his disappointing weapon on the flool
with al oath, and, joined by his aids,
left the place.
Tole wiped the cold sweat from hi.
brow, mechanically picked up the
discarded weapon, went to the dool
and fred off every charge, remarkine
that it was 'just his luck"
Wealth Out Of q Poor EARN.