The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
ONE CHRIST MAS BURIAL
How Tom Tregoning was Laid to
Rest.
ROBBED OF HIS CAsKE1
Liquor Proved Too Much OF a Tempta-
ton for the Man Who was Sent
for the Gorgeous Ccf1n and
Gaudy Trappings.

which came within the observation of
an old-tin1er OF Deer Lodge county,
who, now following his bent, is raking
among the sands of Alaska in an en-
deavor to find the yellow grains that
first lured him to Deer Lodge county
The story has to do with the early '7Os
and with the occurrences that took
place in lively mining camp in what
was then the old Deer Lodge county.
near the Missoula. county line.
"a few days before Christmas" said
the oid-timer, in spinning the yarn,
the entire population of the camp
numbering, perhaps, $50 men and three
women, was saddened by the death of
popular Cornish miner named Tom
Tregoning. His death was due to an
accident in one of the mines.
THE only other death that
had occurred in the camp was
that of an impecunious tender
foot from Wisconsin, who. with his
wife, had been among the first Corners.
Ills lack OF experience led him to To-
cate a worthless claim, and when he
did, he left his widow penniless, 1000
miles from home. Now, Joe Smith was
q moving spirit in starting a subscrip-
ton for the benefit of the widow. He
was himself a liberal contributor, and
the liberal miners about the camp
Clipped in right heartily, and soon
$500 was raised, This sum was placed
in the hands of the noble Joe, who vol
| unteered to escort the widow to the
nearest settlement, and to see her safe
| ly aboard an overland, homeward
| bound stage coach. But neither the
widow nor Joe, nor the $500 ever
reached the stage coach, and afterward
it was learned that the widow and Joe
| had been married.
But to return to my story. When
Tregoning's body was removed from the
cave-in, where he had met his death.
arrangements were at once begun to
give him a swell funeral. Two hun
dred and fifty dollars was subscribed
| and this sum was entrusted to John
Richards, who started next morning for
Missoula to purchase a way-up casket
fine suit of clothes and other neces-
| sary adjuncts for a tirst-cass funeral.
Mr.. Richards was popularity known in
camp by the sobriquet of Johnny Be
hind the Deuce on account of his ill
luck in holding a high hoIe-card.
well, Johnny left camp on the 22d
of December and should have returned
on the Gath. In the meantime the body
of Tregoning was lying in his cabin,
carefully guarded by his loyal friends.
The day and night of the next passed
without the appearance of Johnny
belilllu the DSuCe, anu some aHSlSly
was beginning to manifest itself among
the miners. This feeling was consider
ably augmented by the recollection of
Mr.. Smith and the lone widow. Their
anxiety, however, was relieved on
Christmas day. for, just at the noon
hour, team of mules. attached to a
bob-sleigh, appeared around a point of
rock, half mile down the gulch.
"On the first sight of the mules ev
eryone in camp assembled at the gem
eral store and saloon. where incoming
caravans always made their headquar-
tiers. AS the mules and the sleigh drew
nearer 1t was seen that the outfit was
Johnny's, and it likewise became mani
fest that Johnny had been imbibing in
strong spirits. When the outfit stopped
in front of the store the entire assemb-
lage gathered about the sleigh, and in
the confusion Johnny made his escape
The crowd pressed forward to inspect
the much-talked-of coffin and the gor-
gous trimmings, but what was theil
surprise when the cover of the outer
box was lifted. and there was exposed
to view a plain, pine coffin, worth al
most-even in those days of fabulously
high prces-s10 or $12. A further search
of the sleigh failed to reveal anything
more than a two-gallon jug-less full
Of whiskey than Johnny, it's owner
and package containing a pair OF
blue overaNs and a jumper.
Anger is no name for the feelings o
the miners at that moment. and an in
slant search was instituted for John
ny Behind the Deuce He was soor
found in a neighboring saloon, but HI
had his explanation ready to hand. HI
admitted that he had spent all of his
own money and nearly all of thu
amount given him by those who hac
intended to honor the memory of thei
dead friend. Johnny acknowledged
( that he had had a high-class drunk a
: Missoua, and that, when the object O
his errand had finally required to him
he awoke to ind that he had only 81
left. With this he had purchased TIL
. | pine coffin and the overalls. H
wound up his explanation by saying
=, poor Tom wasn't much of an and t
dress hup and put hon style when h
was halive, and Hill be blessed hi
a Hi think its right to force i'm to d
: dead what e wouldn't do when halive
: Hi think overalls and jumper and DO:
, that's neat but not gaudy will be NOR
: comfortable for poor Tom than one hu
I | these hace Ugh houtfits.'
! "a great deal could be said and wa
. said but nothing could be done to re
flute the argument of Johnny Benin
{ the Deuce so Poor Tom was burie