The San Francisco call., 1906-04-15

paid the money wtCLOut a murmur the
whole year of his sojOurn there. Thar
Kyle, by the way. is real character. well
known in Nevada and AN Francisco
After he left Eureka he came TO this CITY
and started a saloon on Market street.
which he ran for some time.
Other real characters appear IN tce
book. though they resided in other parts
of Nevada than Eureka Inc Methodist
plan OF itineracy sent its ministers from
one town to another, and while. for the
purposes Of her story. Mrs. Bailey To-
Gates all the scenes in Eureka, Mr.. James
preached not only there but in TuscarOra.
Winnemucca and also in Cedarville and
the other towns OF Surprise alley. Cal
1t was in Tuscarora that the events de-
scribed IN the chapter OF the Sage Brush
ParsCn entitled "The Rabbit Hit &C.
CURED, and many Californians will rec
ognfze in Poole and Pitcher George Price
and George Peltier-One for many years
superintendent OF the leading mines IN
Tuscarora and the other the leading
stOrel1eeper.
The presenting to Mr. James OF .ths
leather medal as the champion lar is
in the main true He keeps this medal
at his home in Pasadena and refers 20
it with great glee. 1t IS a great leather
disk. fastened 10 piece OF harness web
bling and bears the following inscription:
Presented 70 the Rev. George Wharton
James. F. r. a 6. F. r NJ. s.. Cham
pion Liar. Owyhee Lying Club"
In the book, doubtless for purposes OF
rnystifcation. the club is called the Saz-
erac Lying Club. after Harry Migueis'
well known and popular book
Shed WelIman is another character
easily recognizabIe He was Shed Wells,
a well known cattleman Of Eureka. who
afterward moved 70 Reno. New, and kept
store there
Several little girls might have been No
Elsie OF the story. as little Maud Wells.
sheds daughter, and the three little girls
of McEwen, a well known grocer OF E.u-
reka, often fixed up the parsons hair.
as is described in the book He recalls
with evident fun in the recollection the
time he went 10 sleep on the McEWen
sofa with the three children fixing his
hair and beard. They braided it and tied
it with ribbon. fixed up his mustache and
made a long row Of 'fAIOntagues'' or spit
curls'' along his forehead. When Re
awoke the second bell was ringing and
he hastily threw on his hat and dashed
down to the church. As he entered and
removed his hat, and took his place on
the platform, broad grin greeted nina,
and when as is his won't even today when
surprised or embarrassed, he thrust his
hands into his hair to stroke it back. ne
found the brafds and curls and laughed
and exclaimed, 'It Is only the children.
God bless them" and at once regained his
ecuanimity and seriousness and proceed
ed with the service
These and many other literally true in
cidents have been woven into the story.
The romantic part OF course is pure nc
ton. but It is OF such a character as 10
demand the absorbed attention OF the
reader. Altogether it Is one OF the strong
est novels OF Western life yet written and
has a Bret Harte flavor that one seldom
finds
After he gave I'D the work OF the min
istrv Mr. James extended his researches
into the geology, ethnology and arch
asology Of the Southwest.
The elements OF frankness. straightfor-
ward hitting from the shoulder, generos-
ity in dealing with his opponents and enc
mics. breeziness OF manner which won
him a warm place In the hearts Of the
miners and cowboys OF Nevada. have
given him a unique place on the lecture
platform. He is absolutely fearless ooth
as an explorer and a speaker. He says
what he thinks, no matter who Is Of
tended or pleased
Mr. James now resides at his artistic
home IN Pasadena, Cal. where he holds
freouent receptions and gives to his
friends the benefit Of his wide travels.
researches and experiences, none or
which. however, can exceed In interest
those he passed through during his seven
wears as the Sage Brush Parson-