The copper era., 1901-12-05
OLD-TIME SKETCHES
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GASSY THOMPSON.

i Everybody who has lived for any 1 length of time in the Southwest has i either met with or heard Of Classy ! Thompson. He was noted character 1 in his way, somewhat slippery per i haps, but a mau Of wonderful resources. IL was his normal condition to be broke. but he did not long remain that
 way il there was a possible chance for him 10 dig out. He was miner and p"Ospector, as well as something of a 1 diplomat.
 Upon one occasion he took contract to drive long tunnel on mining claim on the Bradshaw basin, at a
 remunerative price. He had driven the tunnel several hundred feet, when he encountered what he termed, some Tightening hard rock" He was unable
 to make any headway and as he valued his time worth something, he con- cluded 10 adopt heroic measures. He went to Prescott, the headquarters oi the company by whom he was em ployed, and meeting with the super intendent, a young man, recently ar
 rived from the states, Classy told him
 a pitiful yarn, among other things, that he had received letter from his
 brother back East requesting his im-
 mediate return if he desired to see his
 mother before she died. He showed d
 bogus telegram to back up his story. When he finished the superintendent,
 who had a mother himself, said 'cer-
 tainly, Mir. Thompson. Til give you
 the money, just as soon as we can
 measure up the work" They repaired
 to the mine immediately, and the
 superintendent, who was a contiding
 young man, gave Classy the loose end
 of the tape to enter the tunnel, while
 he remained at the mouth holding the
 reel. The tape was such as is used by
 surveyors, it was Of ;steel and pliable,
 and as Classy pierced the darkness he
 absent-mindedly wound the tape a num-
 Der of times around his elbow. He
 finally reached the breast, and lighting a candle, he jerked the tape, the signal agreed upon. The superintendent
 noted the figures in his book, and he and Classy returned to Prescott The
 money was paid in a check, and Classy
 repaired to his cabin on Granite Creek, where he spent the following two or three weeks committing with spirits, which spirits were Dan Thorne's best.
 At another time he paid his respects
 to Silver City, New Mexico, and while there he became tangled up in some way, financially, for which he was jailed. Now Classy was a bird of free dom, and he could not brook confine- ment. After cogitating for a while he concluded to get out, and he sent word to Hon. John M. Ginn, then as now, one of the leading practitioners at the bar. The Judge answered the summons promptly, and after splitting out half pint or less of tobacco juice, he accosted Mr. Thompson somewhat in this wise: "Why hello Classy. What are you do- ing here? You sent for me I believe, now what do you waht?" To which Classy retorted, "Now look here Ginn, don't ask any dam fool questions, Pm in jail as you can see, and 1 want to get out. Can you get me out 3" Stroking his chin in a meditative way, the Judge replied, they can't pat you in jail for that Gassy," to which the reply was immediately forthcoming, but d. it, I'm here, and l want you to get me out" The Judge hustled off and re- turned in an hour or two with an order from the committing magistrate for Gassy's release. Classy, who had money at the time, liquidated with his attorney for the service rendered, and i proceeding down town, they both ! liquidated repeatedly, and when last seen that night they were coniointly practicing at the bar.