The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1905-08-26
DUCKWATER SENSATION
Knight of the Road Suddenly
Becomes Rich.
Finds Part of Ike Twins Hid
den Money in Old Rock Chin
ney and Has a Good Time.

ING irWiu, u pioneer rancher OF Duck
water. Nye County, died in 1898. At
the time of his death he was known to
have some money buried, aud his
family estimated the amount ut from
$1,000 to $1,000. A thorough search Of
the premises did not uncover any of the
hidden treasure and it was some years
afterwards before part of it was found.
A new house and blacksmith shop
were built to take the place of the old.
and in tearing down the old buildings a
little over $500 in money was found.
The rock chimney that graced the old
homestead was left standing until a few
weeks ago, and its demolition created
quite a sensation ON the creek.
Weary Willie Finds a Job.
About a month ago a man of the
weary Willie" type stopped at the
Irwin ranch and asked for work, and
was accommodated. He was about 40
years old and answered to the euphoni-
Gus name Of l.. st. Clair, which was in
sorry contrast with his ragged and dirty
appearance and shackly walk, the latter
caused by the loss of all of his toes.
Notwithstanding all this, ST. Clair
went to work with a will and a few
days later his request for funds to re-
plenish his wardrobe was granted by
his employer, who gave him an order to
supply his immediate wants at Jesse
Mendes' store. He returned to his
work with a cleanliness is lex to god.
illness" air about him and put in ten
days or two weeks doing odd jobs about
the ranch when the tide of fortune
turned his way.
Dame Fortune Smiles on Him.
The creek bottom where there was a
ford across was soft aud il was decided
to have st. Clair put it in better condi.
ton. using for that purpos, the rock in
the old chimney on the hillside. On a
Friday he began tearing down the
landmark. The mkt day he went to
Jesse Mendes' store aud made a num-
Der Of purchases, including a horse and
cart. and flashed up a handful Of gold.
Sunday he returned and found some 20
ranch hands lettering about the pace.
The spirit of good fellowship i'm
mediately seized him and he ordered
Mr.. Mendes to bring 70. tn the cup that
cheers. An elaborate spread of crackers,
cheese, %sardines. beer, whisky, etc..
was set up for the crowd and st. Clair
| footed the bill. When the Publication
was over St. Clair went back to the
ranch and gave Miss Imogen Irwin $500
TO keep for him. This created a sus-
| picion, and $40 reports came to the
ranch Of his doings the day before.
Piled With Questions. Says Nixy.
An investigation WAS started and it
was learned that st. C.air spent about
1926 at Mendes' on Saturday and Sun
day. The money was in $5 and $40
pieces and 1882 was the latest date on
any of the coins. An effort was made
to get ST. Clair to confess where he got
the money. He maintained the money
was his and refused to make any
fur her disclosure.
Whether he felt that he was too
afiuent to work any longer or whether
he was discharged is not known. but
with "me to Tonopah," he demanded
- 4aon H. LoI r;yan Mi.s TrUin n
refused to give up the money and
st. Clair hiked to Tonoplh and con.
suited a lawyer. Armed with a docu-
ment stating the law in the case
st. C'air came back to the ranch and
the $500 was given up to him. He
again struck out for Tonopah. where. it
is said, he wal a high roller for the few
days the shiuers lasted.
Think Money Was Twins.
The SENTINEL learns that the people
generally are agreed that the fellow
found the money in TIE old rock
chimney and that it was part OF
the money hidden by Mr.. Irwin
during his lifetime. A piece of grain
sick was found near the place AMI as it
bore evidence of age and of having been
tied with a cord it is thought to have
contained the money. 1t is not known
how much money ST. Clair got but he
ia known to have had about S4OO. From
the circumstances connected with the
case it really looks as If the money De-
longed to the Irwins, and if so it is too
bad it fell into such unworthy
instead of being restored to the owners.