Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1907-09-21
SILENT jim
A Story Of Life in a Boom /,
Mining Camp.
T By r. LESLIE SMALL.


WHEN the doors of the Bank saloon
w were thrown open to the public,
the KEYS were secluded iii some
unrememberable spot. Manhattan camp
was i'll the heydey of her fame; certainly
an establishment of such magnitude as
the dodgers announcing the opening
claimed, would keep open house at all
hours of the day and night.
Now, the opening Of the Bank saloon
tory of Manhattan second only in I'M
portance to the first discovery of gold
which caused such a wild stampede of
treasure seekers. Say what you will,
the prosperity and Importance of a min
ing camp are judged to marked de
gree By the numerical strength of its
Thereto. e, when the owners of the place
showed that faith in the future of the
camp as to expend mighty sum in the
opening of a gorgeously- equipped and
acknowledgement hall of chance, it was
conceded on all sides that the camp had
come to stay, else, as was commonly ex-
risking their money"
Yet, this story does not deal with the
opening of the resort" mentioned;
consequently now is the time to ask the
readers pardon for carrying him thus
far to learn that fact. However the
Bank saloon was destined to play an inn
portant part in the history making OF
Manhattan. Within its walls are laid
the scenes of many a drama OF lie
which, though ever SO true, SAVIOR 50
much of deep-rooted imagination as to
elicit doubt from all, save those whose
very eyes saw occurrences similar to the
one which follows in these lines.
Had you dropped i'll the Bank saloon
at about 2 a. m. on the 18th day of De
cember i'll the year of our Lord one
thousand nine-hundred and six, you
would have seen, besides the usual quota
OF employees and hangers on, number
OF men asleep in chairs and on the floor
near cheerful fire which burned
brightly i'll a large iron stove. You
could have seen that sight, however, any
morning such as was December II, 1910.
A binding snow storm was being driven
hard to earth by bitter cold wind that
wmstled through the wooded canyon
Wilere the camp lies. Not few pros
pectors had been driven from the hills
by the fury of the storm, many of whom
sought refuge beneath the roof of the
Bank as they were wont to do on
such occasions. Whatever else might
nave been its faults, the Bank possessed
at least the one redeeming feature OF
sheltering the homeless. AT the different
games the play was poor, the dealers
amusing themselves by shuffling gold
ana silver coins, with which each table
was well supplied. stopping only in that
pastime to assume never-busier -in-my-
HE air when 'aive one" dropped
IN TO take chance.
The entrance of Silent jim, = who
was included among the live ones OF
'ne camp was the signal for general
revival. From different parts OF the
puiiding boosters fairly sprang to
'neir respective places before the differ
en' games and the play was OH III
earnest. Here be it said for the en-
ishtenment of the uninitiated that a
ooostero is man who draws shit
pas Tor making believe his game IS on
Ae square, being several notches
over III the scale of humanity than the
os' hardened gamester.
VINO is Silent Jim hear you ask
need not apologize for failing to ans
mat question: do not know
Nof OF the scores III Manhattan who
:, aouio like to know is there one even to
I'M, gay more informed than ]. HIS
= ~ Ia.