The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-02-23
JUMPING THE LONE STAR.
aPete" Killed His Third Man Before He
Met His Fate.

aPete" Killed His Third Man Before He
Met His Fate.
It was New Years eve in the camp
and the Gold Nugget saloon was doing
q heavy business all along the line.
Drinks were being rapidly dispensed
over the counter and in the rear faro,
roulette and draw-poker were flour
ishing. pete" was in high humor.
He had ''bucked" the tiger successful
ly tonight and had quit enough ahead
to work his claim in Corkscrew gulch.
True, he had not done his assessment
work this year, and by law anyone could
Jump the Lone Star that very day
at midnight. But Pete was not the
man to be fooled with, as he al
ready had two graves to his credit
in Doc Turner's ranch (the name APP
piled to the cemetery in honor of
local doctor), which contained the
bodies of two ''tenderfeet," who had
differed" from him and were acct
dentally shot. So the inhabitants OF
Gainesville concluded he was safe
man to let alone. and he laughed at
the idea that anybody would be so
foolish as to Commit suicide" as he
termed it, by attempting to jump his
claim.
The old year had but few minutes
to live when Hank Smith tied up his
horse among the tall, snow-laden pine
trees near the ''Uone Star and, loosen
ing the thongs which fastened a pick
to his horses saddle, and. trans
ferring couple of sticks OF dyna-
mite and some candles from his
saddle-bag to his pockets, shouldered
the pick and slowly mou nted the tor
tuous trail. He had long awaited this
moment. Four years ago he had owned
the Lone Star" himself, but sickness
came and he could not work his assess
ment. rand when lie returned to the
prospect and found Pete, armed to the
teeth, in possession, he accepted his
hard luck with a good grace, but had
''laid" for Pete ever since. But now
his opportunity had come.
The tunnel was soon reached. and the
moonlight, streaming aslant its black
mouth. easily disclosed to his eyes
Pete's location stake. He looked at his
watch. 1t marked exactly midnight.
Reaching down. he fiercely wrenched
the stake from the ground and flung 1t
far from him down the mountain.
He then lit candle, and find
ing board quickly sharpened one end
of it, and smoothing off the broad end
wrote his location notice OH tire
christening the claim the . Bright
Hopes and planted the stake firmly
in the ground. Thinking he would GO
into the tunnel and ''see how she
looked" he took up candle and pick
| and started in.
Just as he did so he thought he heard
whistle. lie paused and listened
some one was coming up the trail be-
low, whisling softly. Quickly dousino
the light, he crouched behind big
bowlder lust at the mouth of the tun
mel and drew his revolver.
A few minutes later Pete stepped in
view with weeks supplies in sack
hanging over his shoulders.
Before he could put his burden
down Hank suddenly rose up before
him with the muzzle of his pistol al
most touching the others face.
Glands upl" he cried. 'I've got the
drop on yer now" Pete, seeing the
other man had full hand, promptly
threw up his, while Hank deftly re-
lieved him of his firearms.
"'Tain't worth fighting about" said
Pete, carelessly. There amt pound
of ore in the hull claim"
"Oh, come off, said Hank. "How
about all that ore you shipped last
summer"
"That was out of n pocket | struck,
which petered out mighty quick, but,
if you don't believe me I'll go in, the
hole and show you," and, taking a
candle, Pete started in the tunnel,
Hank following, but keeping his hand
within easy reach of his gun. The
breast of the tunnel was soon reached
and Pete, holding his candle up before
it, said: There, now, what did tel
yer? It's nuthin' but dead rock"
Hank took his candle and carefully
examined the breast, roof and sides
but not a trace of mineral could bt
seen. You're welcome to her," saiC
Pete; i've blown in all the money
want to; you can have blast at hel
now if you want to-"
Hank did not reply, but seemed to b
lost in thought. Finally, he said
Hold my candle minute, Pete" and
taking up his pick in both hands, HI
struck the breast heavy blow, anC
the rock and mud with which Pete haC
plastered it to fool curious and unwel
come visitors, fell away, exposing {
vein of glittering white metal. Al
most at the same instant there was {
deafening report, and Hank fell t.
the ground with bullet through hi!
heart.
Pete, with smoking revolver in hi
hand, which he had snatched from
Hanks belt as he struck the blow
stood over him with a grim smile, a
he muttered: Another accidentr' Blu
retribution was close at hand. TIT
reverberation of the shot had hardly
died away among the neighborinl
peaks, when a rock. which had lons
been loose. started by the sudden
I'll L. l%,.,v 20,