Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-06-23

ZIP IN the sierras, close to the lire
where old Butte merges into
Piumas, and not many miles from the
Big Summit, is situated the mill Of one
of the largest lumber companies in Cali
fornia. Above the mill site the waters
of the little stream are turned into v
shaped fume, into which the newly
cut lumber is dropped to be discharged
at the terminus in Chico. The flume is
Of comparatively recent date. Twenty
years ago, instead of the flume, line
of great wagons reached from the up
per Sierras into Butte county's me-
tropolis.
About is miles below the mill, with
in 100 rods of the Little Summit, stood a
Observation-Disclosures structure known al
"Bragg's Place" Here Mr.. James
Bragg, late proprietor OF the White
Fawn Bar" I Dutch Diggings, dis
pensed refres nents to the thirsty in
a pleasing ma aer, and his place being
situated at IL end of the first days
drive on the re m trip of the wagons, 1t
seemed but common courtesy for the
Transfers to spend the evening within
his welcome doors when camping in
that vicinity.
The June sun was slowly sinking be-
hind Hog-Back ridge as Mr.. Bragg sat
on his portico carrying on n desultory
conversation with q person who
squatted on the floor near him. This
Individual was of aspect hardly pre-
possessing. He was an Indian-proba-
bly, Cherokee. His left eye was sight
less, while the other had CLEAN that
might or might not have been evil, but
which was not C, culated to inspire con-
fdence. The Indians garb was of the
coarsest, even for the mountains, and
his general appearance seemed scarce
ly to justify the statement made OF
him-that he earned good wages as a
hunter who supplied the mill hands
with meat.
As the sun sank from sight, Mr.. Bragg
rose to his feet. Them fellers," said
he, jerking his thumb toward two men
engaged at cards in he barroom, most
F'1ely anticipates lsillin' very much deer
in these parts afore another week.
They is here for that purpose, 1njun,
and with the guns they has they shore
ought to succeed"
The Indian leercd at the men through
the open door, and settled back with a
grunt. The grGnt meant that Injun re-
scented the hunting of strangers in this
vicinity as On infraction of his personal
rights.
The Jingle of bells came family from
down the road.
Mr.. Bragg squinted one eye and
stroked his shavcn chin. "Lemme see,
Injun, this be Wednesday; Bill Dang
Ter and Hi Simpson and that crowd had
ought to be a-pullin' in here about this
time O. night from below" Mr.. Bragg
evidently knew whereof he spoke. Half
an hour later, four great wagons, each
drawn by 16 horses and driven by the
men Mr.. Bragg had mentioned, came to
halt near his door.
That night the glasses clinked mer-
rily in Bragg's place. At the com,
pany's Office in Chico the teamsters had
received their monthly stipend, and
many were the jests as they squared
their counts" with their host for the
liquid refreshments he had furnished
them since last pay day. Mr.: .Bragg's
two dodgers from the city suffered them
selves TO be introduced, when, with his
instructive politeness, that gentleman
asked their pleasure in whisper rather
more audible than a conversational
tone. = In very short space of time
an era of good-fellowship had been in
augurated.
Iniun quietly SUNK into the barroom
and dropped down in remote corner
His modesty was speedily rewarded
He was seized and hustled up to the bar
Mr.. Bragg, and his guests were far toc
liberal-minded to entertain any preju-
dice of race
Mr.. Arthur Robinson, sportsman, adj
dressed Mr.. Bill Dangler, mule puncher:
"You work for the lumber company
1 believer"
"No, we works for Jim Bragg; don''
you see US turnin' in our earnin's te
him?"
This burst of wit was followed by 6
loud laugh, and the loud laugh by 6
long drink.
Mr.. Hi Simpson set his glass upon thu
bar, and said: "Jim, I reckon if you
had a-known what kind of cargo Bill
has got in them bundles on his wager
you might not "a been so anxious fol
him to slap on his brake in front OF YOU
place tonight"
Bodies O. dead men?" queried Mr.
Bragg.
"Wuss than that"
"What then?"
"Dinnymite."
"Mr. Bragg opened his eyes wide ant
puckered his lips. "Dy-natmite?"
"Yep; enough to blow'this whole she
bang to hades."
(Which amt the wust part of il" in
terposed Mr.. Bill Dangler. 81 has t
90 slow down Jack Rabbit Run will
that cussed stuff. and if I wants to ge