The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-07-12

pSAi1iS StoS hatS L'eNA " >>1'~>
i weapon Of offense than OF de-
fense, and vas largely the cause
of lawleSsneSs and bloodshed; and the
mere knowledge that he was an eX-
pert in its use caused many man to
draw it when otherwise he would not
have done so. But, like every other
evil, it was not an unmiXed one, and
was not pulled" invariably with blood
letting intent. A six-shooter figured
prominently in one of the prettiest
! little romances I ever knew of, and
no blood was spilled, either. But the
hand of time has to a great extent
drawn the veil over those days, and
they linger only in the memories of the
old-timers who are left and who"
"Here, man, don't excite our curl
osity in that way, by suggesting an in
teresting story, and then quietly pro-
ceed and leave it untold" said one of
the listeners.
That's what I say" Certainly
sOf course" by all MEANS" came in
chorus. LET US have the episode in
which the deadly revolving machine
figured"
A group Of men, several "forty-
miners" among them, were gathered IN
one corner of Los Angeles hotel ro-
tupda, talking of their CORNER expert
ences in the gold fields, and comparing
the men and the methods of that lurid
period-the days of the pick, shovel,
washing-pan and reyolver-with pres
ent-day mining methods, machinery
and men.
at was more than an ep Sode, gen
tlemen; it was an event, in the lives
of two of those concerned" said the
first speaker. 'For Steve Daniels,
knight of the six-shooter, it was per-
haps only an episode. Later, he-Dut
that's another story.
I'm 1860 i was working claim at
Monito, in Nevada County. and doing
fairly well. More than year had
passed since pay-dirt was struck, and
there were some 800 or 1000 people in
the camp, and saloons, Of course, in
proportion. The Golden Eagle was
one of the most popular Of these, and
Steve Daniels was the bright particular
I star among it's frequenters- 1t was
reported that he had formerly been
cowboy, and an unusually quiet,
peaceable member of the unQuiet
calling, until after the death of his
wife. He soon after came to the dig
gings, bringing with him his little boy,
about three years old, and Manuel,
Mexican, whose special business it was
to look after the child, though he in
cidentally acted as cook also.
>"Daniels, who was one of the early
arrivals at Monito, staked claim and
stuck closely to business for some
time; that is, until his first gun-play.
When sober he was an easy-going, low
spoken fellow, just the kind a bully
would select to impose on, and this
one of that class was deceived into
doing not long after the rush to Mon
ito. He was buried next day, and
Daniels reputation as a remarkably
quick and accurate shot was duly es-
tablished. He fired three times and
vet we could find but one hole through
the mans body, and that not much
larger than the opening usually male
by one ball from regulation Six
shooter, the bullets having scarcely
varied line.
AFTER that Daniels got on spreet
periodically. and while they lasted Re
let himself loose for the fun there was
in it. He did net fear God nor regard
man when drinking. but drunk or sober
he loved his child with every throb
of his heat. And 'Nugeto,' for that
was the name given him oy Manuel.
because of his golden curls, was as
sturdy, handsome and cute a little
fellow as one would wish to see. As
an of-hand swearer he was about the
easiest and most omplisEed-within
the limits of his vocabulary-that. i
ever heard. He was given many a
pinch of golddust by those reckless
miners in exchange for 'cuss words,
and as his list heightened his pile
increased.
Manuel seemed really fond of the
boy, and no one could have taken
better care of him; that is, while he
was on duty. But the Mexican was
like his employer in one respect, he
would go on jamborees. On these
occasions he always disappeared, how
ever, and was usually gone several
weeks. Daniels accepted these little
defections as matter of course, never
touched drop while Manuel was
absent, but attended strictly to the boy
and the claim. By the time the Mexi-
can returned Daniels had dust enough
On hand to enable him to act the part
of master of ceremonies at the Golden
Eagle with satisfaction to himself and
his friends. He was having Lis fling
one night, soon after Manuers return
when some one remarked that tender.
foot had come in on the afternoon
stage.
" 'Trot him out. then,' ordered Steve
Some Of you fellows 60 and get him
and I'll furnish the fun