Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1904-11-11
CHAPTER TX.
Trouble Brewing.

1N-<A
sort Of commissary where all tie
fishermen were compelled to trade,
either directly or indirectly. Those
employed by Seadog had to trade with
him and the others had to trade with
him also, because he had plated the
town and placed proviso in the deed
to all the lots which be sold to the
effect that the grantee should not deal
In certain merchandise. This item
covered about veiything. Even
spurious, venous and malt liquors were
prohibited. Still there were nearly
half q dozen saloons In the place, but
Geadog had contracts by which he re-
ceived, directly or indirectly, the larger
per cent Of the profits. He also owned
the local cannery. Cinnamon were
worked In the place. They lived at a
mess house where existence on rice
and spoiled fish was. easy. and they
worked for Headog for q Few cents q
day. He had struggled them overland
across the Canadian boundary and they
believed they were compelled to re-
main in his employ; and they we're in
. measure, for Seadog was not known
ia the unlawful transaction and could
have handed them ever to the authori-
ties without risk to himself. He
might have sent some Of his hirelings TO
the government prison, but he did not
mind this. Men were cheap and
money valuable.
Old 6eadog also owned miles OF fish
traps. The ragged lines Of piling
looming wings and hearts extended up
and down the bay and to the middle of
the river from Disappointment to Nc
Gowan's. about dozen miles.
1t il true that few men had taken
advantage Of their rights under the
law and had secured locations and had
constructed traps, but It was necessary
20 guard these like treasures. LII they
we're left alone the storms tore up
the piling and 6eadog's traps were con-
structed in trent and ON the side Of
them 90 that even the luckless fish
found their way to the fshermens'
traps by the sheereat accident.
One by one they had succumbed and
cold to Seadog ct his own price, except
the few who preferred to work and
barely live than become the slaves Of
any man.
It was on the fatal morning upon
which Gankala and Ringwold dared
the storm Old Headog was up
early, 90 was his custom. He superin-
tended all Of hia own business. He
left nothing Of Importance TO Others
ii was to this fact that be attributed
his success, and he admonished his
sons TO follow in his footsteps.
The storm was raging and the man
Of wealth did not care to stir abroad
90 early. He grew confidential with.
Mrs. Seadog. He did this occasionat-
", but IL was only when matters arose
that closely affected his business in
terests. He was by no means faith
full husband to her, "a many OF the
ffhermen knew, but he had great con-
tidence in her good Judgment, and
sought her adivce in the matters that
weighed upon him heavily.
He was still seated at the table.
had not yet begun to dawn.
The storm was raging. Ihe mist and
rain fell upon the roof with rasping
sound. The other members of the
family had left the dining room. Mrs.
Seadog did hei own dishes. She did
this from choice because she had been
brought up to work.
"Let the work go tof awhile, wife,
and set down. said the husband.
Mrs. 6eadog obeyed the request
readily. She knew something was
coming. She had already seen it in
her husband q eyes and in bis actions.
But what woman does not like to be
taken into the confidence Of her hus-
bandf S
"Do you know. wife, ana in more
trouble than trap full OF fish, said
old Seadog when his wife was seated.
II thought the foolish prejudice
against old Ringwold and Sankaia
was something to worry about, but
now the troubles are multiplying like
sun fish.
''Tha title to the townsite is threat
ened. The gill meters are preparing
for deyilment and even the government
had secret service man here q few
days ago trying to associate me with
the unlawful importation Of the pig
tails who work in my eannery.''
81 do not understand all OF this, or
even part Of it." said the anxious
vile. 81 thought you had deed to the
townsits property The sglllnstksfs. Il
thought had recognized your measure
ment of the river. and "a to the impor-
kation Of the Cinnamon. supposed the
and his son-in-law were re-
sponslble for that"
'But you can't count on anything
these days, = continued the fisherman
king. "When old Lapham made the
deed to his homestead that night Just
befors he died In drunken at, there