The Alaska prospector., 1903-08-06
TROUBLE OVER WATER
Gun Plays Made as Slate. News of The Camp From
 Moike.

LedNeli uiiu WtiV "hN On'""O''s' Bill with his fiery steed civilian Scott" arrived here yesterday. They were 12 days out from Val dcz, and repor. five trir, having found the trail in fine condition. Judge Lcavell and nephew were lnft at the mouth of the Chistuchina. The nephew is sick and the judge stayed to take care of him.
 Two of Hammond's steers arrived here last night. Fagenberg arrived few days ago with four head of cattle, and report has it that Is head more are en the way in. There will be lets, of cheap meat on the creek before fall.
 The Tacoma people have been having lots of trouble about water. On the 11th and 18th guns began to play on both sides. The Taco ma takes its water out of Slate creek on James Newcomb's claim. Above Newcomb's is the Fully and Garrett claim. There has been quite bit of water in upper Slate this year-about four sluice heads. The Fully and Garrett claim was not being worked, and Newcomb had boxes in the creek and was get ting ready to work his claim. The Tacoma wanted water-left New comb one to two sluice heads. Newcomb said he wanted to use all the water for ground sluicing. On the 11th McGee, Garrett and New comb were at the head of the ditch talking the matter over. Garrett told AfcGee he could have the water as long as he did not want it. With this McGee started to put rocks into, the creek to turn the water into the ditch. Newcomb told him to- stop. McGee said, That's all right, Newcomb; I will leave you water enough to work with. All L want is A sluice head" Newcomb remarked that McGee couldn't have "a d-d drop" New comb would roll the rocks out of the creek with shovel as fast as McGee could roll them in. They had few words and came to blows. While they were having their little war, Garrett, who was some dis tance away, took shot at McGee. His aim was a little low. All the damage it did was to fill Ethical and Graham's faces and eyes with sand. McGee. had a. firm. hold on those lovely whiskers of Newcomb, and told him to be good boy. He talked soothingly te Garrett and told him to put up his cannon; that there was no cause for a mili- tary demonstration. By this time Ethical was able to see; but he could not see Graham. The crowd had little heart to heart talk, which resulted in Melee turning the water into the ditch. But it did not stay there for long. New comb stood pat and cut it out again. The night of the 12th, when the Tacoma people put on their night shift, they sent up couple men tc the head of the ditch to turn in the water. Newcomb met them with rifle of ancient pattern and told them to 'keep off the grass" which they did. The Ta- coma shut down until last night, when they started up with three Enes of boxes:: consideration, Tul- ly and Garrett, $12OO, Newcomb, 5000. Some civil and criminal actions are likely to follow. Opin- ion is divided, but is somewhat in favor of Melee. If they had not got water the Tacoma would have had to shut down one OF tive lines of boxes. That would. have thrown a great many men out of work and most of the men are in debt for grub.
 Rockford arrived from Tanana and Fairbanks. He met Waschter about 40 miles down Delta nearly ten days ago. Cattle weye rolling fat. MDIKE.
 July 19.-~The. people whe teok .C. L Al