Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-05-02

Lynch. The whole United states sen
ale will not he able TO intimidate g. ii.
Dietrich.
The new Senator went west from
Aurora, Ill. lie began 10 make his own
living when he was 3 years old. lie
chored for farmers, snatching what
schooling he could get from the little
log sclioolhouse during the winter
months. Then he became blacksmith
and, saving $40 In 1873, lie paid his
expenses to Cheyenne Wyo. Here he
bought provisions aud blankets, and,
hiring the provisions transported TO
Deadwood he tied the blankets on his
back and trudged along beside the
wagon that contained his provisions.
The Journey was made In winter and
the man who fought his way from the
farm TO the Senate walked 400 miles
along trail that led through Red Can
yon, In which, just before he went
through and just after, many white i'm
migrants were killed by Indians.
Early in 1876 Senator Dietrich helped
to build the first store of Deadwood.
",rhe Pioneer" After 1t was built Die
trlch delivered merchandise all over
the Deadwood country, travelling at
night most of the time to avoid the
Indians.
In 1876 Dietrich helped to lay out the
town of Spearfisl. Indians came down
the gulch and stampeded the ponies of
the town builders. Chase was given
and some Of the ponies We're recovered,
and, though many shots were fired, no
one was killed on either side
With the Vigilance Committee.
In the winter of 1ST6-T Dietrich
with two partners, located the Aurora
mine There was trouble over the
claim and In one of the many fights
which took place Dietrich was shot
twice one bullet cutting his forehead.
Finally Dietrich sold out his interest
and became a member of the vigilance
committee. which took the place of the
conventional court of the East.
The first case the vigilance commit
tee handled impressed Dietrich greatly
with the charm under which his life Is
protected. ID. Thomas Smith was the
cuprit His wife had been moneyed
widow of Denver Smith went to the
Black Hills TO swell FER roll He began
to drink and to lead a dlsorderly life.
In the fall of 1876 his wife came on.
She said he had deserted her and their
child, and had taken all her money,
and had finally refused support when
she at last established communication
with him. The committee was called
together, and the woman told her trou-
bles. Then the acting marshal, Con
Stapleton, and Dietrich were asked by
the committee to find Smith and bring
him to trial.
They found Smith at Belle Union.
where Wild Bill was killed, and, call
Ing him out, told him what was want
ed Smith said he would not go. So
force had to be applied. In the strug
gle Smith drew knife and cut Diet
rich between the fingers and in the alb
domcn. Smith was tried by the com
mlttee, and the verdict was that all the
property known to belong to smith
money he had loaned out, and property
he had bought for woman for whom
he had fondness-had 10 be turned
over to Mrs Smith. After that was
done Smith was to leave camp before
10 a. m. the next day or suffer the
penalty. which was death.
Il slept that night in cabin owned
by Judge Lynch Forman," Senator
Dietrich was telling not long ago.
"There was only an old piece of blan-
ket Mt the door. | was sitting In the
cabin, just thinking about turning in
for the night, when the blanket at the
door was pulled aside suddenly and
Smith stepped in. He had Winches-
ter in his hand, and he threw il to his
shoulder"
1t seems that Smith had quick and
powerful man TO deal with. for Die
trich tore the Winchester from Smiths
hands. and, graphing with him. soon
had him under control. Then he took
Smiths word of honor that he would
leave town at once and let him 20.
Early the following morning Smith
met Con Stapleton, VINO was talking
to another man. and blazed away at
Con. The bullet missed Stapleton and
killed the man Stapleton was talking
with, n professor from an Eastern col
lege. Smith was afterward killed in
California.
ITO show YOU how honorable West
ern men are" Dietrich said, Il must
tell you that there We're many men In
the gulches who had borrowed money
from Smith or had property belonging
to him, who were unknown to Mrs.
Smith or to any one else save Smith.
So soon as they heard the verdict of
the committee they came into camp
aud yielded up the property or paid
tie money they owed"