Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-05-20
MISCELLANEOUS,
The Old WOman's Money.
AN EPISODE OF TIE FRONTIER,

we sat in the little frontier hoteI
at Pine Ridge Agency that stormy
December night in 80. There were
number Of us-all newspaper cor.
respondents-and few interproters
ofhcers and reservation employees.
The days previous had been full of
excitement, for the Brule and Ogal.
lala Sioux were engaged i'm the Ghost
Dance or Messiah Craze. About the
agency General Miles had groupcd
some fifteen hundred troops beyond
their white tents clustered the dingv
tepees OF the Indians, some eight
hundred of them.
We greatly enjoyed those evenings
In the hotel. They brought back to
memory pictures of the old West
staging, buffalo hunting, Indian fight
ing. And what Il fund of inf0rma-
ton the scouts, Interpreters and
"old timers" poured into our will
ing ears Each one could have
talked all night, and yet left the mar
ration OF his experiences unfinished
then. We were especially interested
in the singular career of B. He had
left home in Connecticut, and after
varied experiences in Iowa and Ne
braska, Joined company of miners
and with them entered the new min
ing camp of Deadwood. He was
then but seventeen years old. That
same winter he carried the first mail
out Of Deadwood to the Missouri
river.
B. joined our circle while scout
was relating some experiences with
stage-robbers in the early seventies,
and Immediately entered into the
conversation.
I" So far as | know. the smoOthest
trick, prompted by a desire to save
money, ever played upon stage-rob.
bers occurred near Miles City in 10.
A load of passengers were almost
within sight of the town. They had
been travelling all day, and were
worn out, tor the roads were awful
bad in those days and all coaches
bounced and swayed very much
Having come near their journeys
end, they were congratulating them
selves. Hold-ups had been frequent.
Two heavily armed messengers ac-
companied each coach, with orders
to fire on any person acting suspi-
ciousiy.
Dear mer said an elderly man
near the door, 'I'm glad we are safe.
l have about five hundred dollars,
and if lost it, / don't know where
l could get more.'
Il can get plenty of money said
travelling salesman, but the loss
of what | have would put me to
much trouble out here among strang-
ers.'
Two miners and prospector,
each with large rolls, expressed their
satisfaction at passing dangerous
points safely. The next speaker was
little old woman, kind and moth.
erly i'm her ways.
MY boy has started restaurant
in town and is doing well. He wanted
me to come and help, so here am,
goodness knows far enough away
from dear old Ohio. thought he
would need his mother, for these
mining towns are wild, / hear, and
full of temptations. ! have only got
two hundred dollars. It's all the
cash / have in the world. Fearing
robbers, / have put it in place
where no one would think of look
ing. You cannot guess where
or course the guesses were al
wrong.
We'll, l have four fifty-d dollar bills
against the sole Of my foot inside
my left shoen
Capital y said the elderly gentle
man. NO one would ever think o.
looking for money in your shoes
In the far corner at the front sat /
small, slender, black haired man.
He kept between his feet a little
black valise. No one spoke to hin
during the journey, and he made M
sound save occasionally to caugh II
q peculiar manner. Some OF the pas
sengers thought him to he con
sumptive. Even when general good
fellowship prevailed he took no par
in the conversation. Making bold
the old lady said
And you; what would you DO !
you were held up"
A hollow cough and shrug OF tn
shoulders was all his reply.
What a mean fellowv though
the old gentleman.
At this instant the coach lurche
violently to one side and bang, bans
hang came the sudden reports
guns. One messenger was shot, II
other compelled to throw up h
hands before time for resistance, an