The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-09
In GENERAL.
In anew Mining Camp.

Early in the eighties came the reports OF
rich gold mines in the Cpur d'Alene noun
tains, and the name of Pritchard the discov-
erer became known from the Atlantic TO
the Pacific. a great stampede set in, and
the rush to the new gold region was ire
mendous, and many hardships were en-
dured. Every one wanted to be the first
on the ground, and the result was that the
country was soon ovcrrun, notwithstand-
ing the snow was still deep, and it was ex-
eeedingly difficult to reach Pritchard creek |
From Thompson falls to the diggings was |
40 miles over n rough and heavily timbered |
mountain country The snow was too deep |
for animals to be taken in at that time, so |
the 40 miles were made on snowshoes. And |
many men made the trip who knew less |
about snowshoes than they did about the |
emperor of China All provisions were |
taken in on toboggans hauled by hand at |
the rate of 25 cents per pound. OF course
provisions in the camp were proportion
ately high, and some incidents that hap
pened there are worth relating at this day.
Among the early stampeders to Pritchard
creek were n number of Butte people. One
of them is still fond of telling of his expe-
rience in the new camp, although it was
anything but pleasant at the time. He said
he and his partner made the trip all right.
They had some money and struck the camp
about nightfall, cold and hungry. They
inquired for the best restaurant in the town
of Eagle City, which was at that time the
head center of the district. A large house
made of green lumber was pointed out, and
they went in to get supper. The meal
which was set before them consisted of
coffee, bread bacon and beans, n very good
meal for hungry men, but one of them
thought they ought to have potatoes and
asked the waiter if there were any
eyes" said he, 1--WE have few.
Let us have some potatoes with this
supper" said the stampeder.
"How many" inquired the waiter.
"How many?" echoed the hungry man in
surprise at the question. Give us about
two boiled potatoes each, good sized ones.
The waiter hurried off and soon returned
with four small potatoes.
Supper being over, the bill was called for
and was found to be Si-S1.50 each for the
meals and 25 cents apiece for the spuds.
The bill was paid without murmur, but
as the men sauntered off one was heard to
remark:
by criminyl l was never in a place be-
fore where potatoes were q luxury"
That night they secured bed of dried
leaves, without covering, at 81 each, and
were glad to get it.
On the following morning there was con-
siderable stir i'll the camp. The snow was
from to feet deep, and no mining could
be done, SO the town was soon alive with
people, who came from board and log
houses, tents and brush wickiups. There
was rumor that trouble was brewing. y
dispute had arisen over the right to a GER
tain town lot at the lower end of the one
solitary street, and it was thought that
blood would flow, as both sides were fully
determined. 1t was not long before five or
six men filed out of house with guns in
their hands The other party to the dis
pute consisted of two men, who occupied
the lot and lived in n tent. They were pre-
pared for the invaders, having placed logs
around the lower part of the tent as pro
lection from the fire from the expected en-
envy, who had notified them to get off or be
put Off
The attacking party was composed OF
brave and determined men, who took posi-
ton behind a snowbank. The only person
in sight near the tent was Il man sitting on
a scaifold erected for whipsawing lumber
He knew nothing of the trouble, and the
first intimation he had of it was shower
of bullets from the attacking party. With
out waiting for Il second volley, he tumbled
into the deep snow and regaining his feet,
struck out into the timber as fast as he
could go This was great sport for the peo-
pie, who had so arranged themselves as to
see the battle without getting hit by stray
bullets.
Having disposed of this supposed defend
err of the coveted lot, the attacking party be-
gan firing at the tent But here they met
with obstinate resistance A man named
Buzzard was inside, and he returned the
fire with such effect that in short time
two of the attacking party were rendered
hors du combat. About this time deputy
sheriff put in an appearance, rushed i'll be-
tween the belligerents and raised white
rag. Here hostlities ceased, and all the
fighters were placed under arrest except
two, one of whom was dead and the other
so badly wounded that he died soon after.
That evening BuZzard walked bravely in
to a gambling house where his opponents
WERE and everybody expected to see some
lively shooting, but they did not The lead
er of the opposing faction met Buzzard in
the most cordial manner, shook hands with
him, and asked him to take drink at the
bar, saying there would be no more trouble,
as he, Buz2ard, was too brave man to be
molested and too good IL man to be killed,
and that he could keep the lot. TO this
friendly greeting Buzzard replied in APP
propriate terms, and thus ended the great
| lot contest III Ldgle bluy. AZ lhdV llIle tIe
lot was held at n high figure, but within two
months it wasn't worth six bits
With this fight serious trouble in the
Cnur d'Alenes practically ended, as it was
known that every man had revolver and
! bowie knife and was willing to use both
to defend his rights if need be, thus show
ing that thorough preparation and readi
ness for war often insures peace.-BUttt
Inter-MOuntdin.