The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-28

fOTCeQ 10 depend upon Ills OWN re-
sources since he was eight years old.
roughing it with frontiersmen for the
nucleus Of his fortune. Wrestling his
first property from competitors who
sought to destroy him with bombs
looking calmly into the gun barrels OF
his enemies. luck at all times backed
him and he won every time. The same
luck that started him toward wealth
and made him a barker attended him
when he forced his way into political
prominence at precisely the time when
compromise candidate was needed TO
break deadlock in Senatorial cleo
ton.
All Sorts of Work.
When Senator Dietrich was eight
years old. just after he came from
Aurora, Ill. he went to work for a
living. He did chores, weeded fields and
performed almost a mans work, snatch
ing a few weeks schooling In mid
winter.
His hardy physique suggested black
smithing, as men OF that trade were
in demand. He worked over the anvil
till he had accumulated $40. and in
1875 paid his way to Cheyenne. The
discovery of gold in the Black Hills
had opened a rich field for fortune
hunters. He had too little money to
pay his way by stage. so he hired the
transportation OF his provisions, loaded
blankets and clothing on his back and
trudged beside the provision wagon to
Deadwood.
It was winter. and many dangers
awaited him. but he walked, unpro-
tected. four hundred miles Before and
after his trip few whites had come out
of Red Canyon alive. but Dietrich went
through untouched
Opened IN Deadwood
lie had no money. and it took money
TO prospect SO he opened the first
store in Deadwood. the Pioneer, and
stocked il with his provisions. His
goods brought high prices. Dietrich
disregarded the cautions of his friends
and peddled food through the Dead
wood country on foot That winter he
was one of party that helped 10 lay
out the town OF Spearfish in an unset
tied country claimed by the Indians.
Dietrich soon had sufficient capital
to open a mine. and with two part
ners located the Aurora
There was no law az that time in the
property rights. All men were tres
psSsers. and title meant possession.
Dietrich and his partners had seen
enough OF the hills life 10 know the
price they must pay. they fortified
themselves on their claim and sent out
word that any unwelcome visitors
would not be given the privilege OF leav-
ing. The rest knew what this meant
and did not attempt open attack.
Refused the Offer.
One of the three guarded the Au-
rora sod house all the time. One night
the guards attention was attracted by
the falling of a pebble from above.
Looking up he discerned skuIking fig
ure- a challenge brought no answer,
but precipitate fight. A giant powder
bomb had been dropped by the visitor
1t was learned afterward that Il was
the mans intention to light the bomb.
drop it on the sod house. and next
morning take possession Of what was
left
Dietrich was offered $4,000 for the
mine. II being understood that refusal
meant a resumption OF hostilities
Dietrich refused the offer.
Not long after Cephus Tuttle one of
his companions. was shot from ambush
and killed. Two bullets hit Dietrich,
one grazing his forehead. Then Diet
rich discovered that the Hidden
Treasure mine owners had dug tunnels
into the Aurora property and were
planning to blow it UP from below Diet
rich said nothing but put his men at
work digging counter tunnels and laid
powder mines in such way as to blow
up the men working in the Hidden
Treasure.
Just as the night shift went into the
Hidden Treasure Dietrich and his men
sailed boldly to the mouth OF the mine
and covered the exit with their guns
The Hidden Treasure people were told
that refusal to capituIate would result
IN destruction OF the NINE so there
was an unconditional surrender
Joined the vigilants.
Dietrich was conceded title. and sold
at handsome figure TO Brown & Thun.
bankers, and to Senators Roscoe Conk-
ling and Thomas c. Platt, of New York.
and former Senator George A. Spencer,
of Alabama.
Dietrich was fascinated with the life.
and instead Of taking the opportunity 10
leave. Joined the vigilance committee.
The first case. that Of Thomas Smith. OF
Denver. Dietrich tells as an illustration
OF HIS good luck. Smith left a wealthy
WIFE in Denver and went 70 the bad in
the hills. His wife followed after a
time and told the committee that ne had
spent her fortune and refused to sup
'Con" stapleton. marshal for the COM
mittee. and Dietrich were detailed to
located him at Belle Union, the toughest
corner Of the hills. Smith refused to 20.
a fight followed, and IN the scuffie Die
trich was stabbed in the hand and
abdomen. But Smith was taken. The
committee ordered that he should turn
all his property over to his wife and
leave camp before 10 O'Clock the next
morning.
That night Dietrich slept in the cabin
Of Norman. one Of tho committee The
door consisted OF q blanket hung across
the opening As Dietrich was about TO
retire n rife was thrust through the
opening and Smith appeared behind IL.
Dietrich seized the gun and wrested II
from him. He could have killed Smith.
but instead, accepted his promise 10
leave town Immediately and allowed him
to go.
The fortune Dietrich made IN the hills
put him into the banking business. and
his prominence as a pioneer, his ag-
gressivsness and fearlessness took him
into politics.
ria rts.s oLu.