The herald., 1896-11-16

bound to result fatally to one or thu
other, and perhaps both of the COM
batants.
DEFIANCE TO THE vIGILANTEs
Peck was II anandary He didn't
go around seeking trouble, but when
pushed into 1t he objected TO play or
daily with it-he meant business. As
opposed to his own personal inclinations
came the thought of his wife and chill
dren. If he refused to acqulesce In the
demand of the vigilance committee ne
knew he would decorate the limb OF the
nearest tree. But he was enabled to ar
rive at clean-cut decision by the action
of his wife. She came to him in the
rough edifice that served as a prison. She
was accompanied by two members Oh
the vigilance committee, for 1t was sur
missed that Peck would refuse, ana MS
wife's influence would, it was thought
drive away any spirit of defiance that
might be lingering within his breast
They were disappointed, however
Without wasting time upon prelimina-
ries the wife told her husband that
shed rather be brave mans widow,
with four little children. than a coward 5
wife" That settled it. Peck told ths
vigilance committee generally, and the
two members present individually, to go
to Hades, and that he would not apollo.
giZe. None of them took his advice and
went, but the committee was so moved
by the stand taken by Mrs. Peck that
the request made of Peck was withdrawn
and later he was exonorated from blame
with regard to the circumstances of the
duel.
shortly after this Peck moved TO
idaho where he made large fortune in
the mines. and died soon after
BOYHOOD ON THE FRONTIER.
1t Is rather odd to notice that certain
characteristics of the father cropped
out, though in somewhat different fasn-
ion, In one of his sons. Zue q.
Peck was the eldest of the family. ana
was born In 1857 in Mariposa county. As
he grew up he was such d sturdy ami
daring youngster that he was at the
age of IL made major-domo of the rancn
known as the JEFF ]. ranch" In ad.
ministering the affairs of a z0,000-acre
ranch, keeping the vaqueros in order
and making things run smoothly, the
lad had his work cut out But he sat
isfactorily conducted affairs. and The
owner of that immense property, who
has splendid mansion in this city, or
Figueroa street, would probably be ths
first to give credit to the efforts of the
l6-year-old boy.
But young Peck was ambitious; he
wanted to perfect his education. With
that intention he went to San Jose and
entered the Vinsahauler business col
lege. For one so young he had had
plenty of adventures by flood and field.
and while rather backward in all the de-
tails of town life, could fight his own
weight in wild cats and rather enjoy the
diversion. But his stay at the college
was not lengthy. Professor Hamilton,
one of the members of the faculty was
autocratic in his methods. A rule had
been established that any Of the stu
dents meeting any of the professors
must tip their hats. The boys didn't
take kindly to the rule. and they par
ticularly objected to saluting Professor
Hamilton, who was generally dislikeG
One day the latter met one of the boys.
who, either through fprgetfulness or
with intent, failed to "dotf his tile That
afternoon Hamilton had the young fel-
low before the assembled school and
announced his intention to fog him for
persistent insubordination. Now this
lad happened to be a cripple, ar d a num-
ber of the boys whispered to one another
their discomfort that the professor
should vent his spleen upon poor Grip
pied lad. But to young Peck to think
was to act.
IN OPEN REBEL ON.
He took his stand by the cripple and
told the professor that it was unfair to
fog lame boy. One word led to anoth-
er, and when the pedagogue laid his
hand on young Peck, in order TO push
him to his seat, the letter, thinking
the professor was more of a man than
he thought, and was aching for scrap,
hit him on the nose. Then there was a
tangle of arms and legs, twisting and
squirming about the floor. Some of the
boys rallied to the assistance of the
teacher while others took the side of
Peck. The result was a grand melee, In
which nearly 400 boys participated.
Pandemonium reigned, and not until
heavy detachment of police arrived was
order restored.
An investigation was set on foot, and
while the hottie of Peck was
condemned by some, it wer generally
conceded that Professor Hamilton hao
acted brutally in seeking to avenge him
self upon lame boy In any event the
trouble was the ruin of the business
college, for it closed its doors at that
time, and they were not reopened
1t is interesting to know that Charley
L. North, the oil operator, who is favor
ably known In the business circles Of
this city, was concerned with Peck in
the insurrection at the college.
AS for the hero of the escapade him
self. he went TO Merced, where he stud
led law with Hon. Frank H. Farrar. For
some time he has been settled in this
city, and he has won distinction in sew
eral cases of Importance in the courts
of this county. Those who are acquaint-
ed with Mr.. Peck only In his legal ca
pacity will be surprised, perhaps, in
learning that the confident of their trou-
bles has had pretty rough and tumble
existence in early life.