davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22
Back to the Old Home
Copyright By Joseph B. Bowl-s5
BY ELIZABETH ROBBINS

Miles TOrrey had not written when
he was coming home. for he dearly
loved surprise, and so there was
nothing for If but to walk the Two
miles from the railroad station.
When he reached a certain rise n
the swamp road he paused to take
an observation There, over across
on the Bridge" read was the old
Torrey homestead, looking exactly az
it had always looked. Farther on were
the Gilsons' roofs. then the Witherells'
chimneys, and away beyond the IN
painted corner Of something that must
be the little new chapel his mother
had written about On the nearer side
was the Harwood place, and nearer
yet, the Caswells' barn. which. from
this point, he remembered, shut Of the
view Of the house
Miles Continued on his way with a
feeling Of lively satisfaction in find
Ing so few changes after five years
absence, so when he had turned the
corner and come to where the Cas-
wells house ought TO be, and there be-
held only its blackened timbers lying
on the ground, he was q good deal
shocked
When and how did it happen =
he asked his mother. after he had en-
joyed TO the full her establishment az
seeing him, and each had inquired aft
CT the others health
1T was three months ago. in Sep
TENDER. just after that last letter I
sent" Mrs. TOrrey told him. Or.
Burrell came along one day and said
old Jed WashbuFn had been sick. all
alone there in his out-of-the-way. tum-
ble-down place, and they packed VI
some things and started right of tc
do what they could for him
Aunt Mary and Uncle Nathan. al
over" exclaimed Miles.
They think the chimney must have
I been burning out, and somehow Sc
f fire to the woodwork inside" Mrs Tor
1 reg went on AT any rate nobody
saw the smoke in time to save any
thing, and everything was fat vheE
/ they came back"
Too bad, too bad" said Miles e
suppose they went to live with thu
4 boys?"
Yes, though I couldn't find out from
their letter which one they're with
Neither Mary nor Nathan were yer.
much for writing"
Perhaps they'll build again"
"Oh. they can't! They were to-
good hearted ever TO save much, an
there was no insurance"
1T isn't likely that Ed nor Glib ca
help them any" Miles reflected
They're two as good fellows as eve
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22

Il have asked Alva 10 stop with
me here for few days" she said
formally.
"Alva!" said I. much surprised.
She had not asked one Of her own
friends; she had asked a girl she
had met less than two days before,
and that girl my partners daughter.
She was here yesterday morning, %
Anita explained. And now wondered
how much Alya there was in Anita's
firm stand against her parents.
Why don't you take her down to
our place on Long Island2" said /,
most carefully concealing my delight
for Alya near her meant a friend
Of mine and an advocate and example
Of real womanhood near her. Every.
things ready for you there and I'm
going to be busy the next few days
busy day and night"
She reflected. Very WELL" she as
sented presently. And she gave me
a puzzled glance she thought I did moi
seas If she were wondering whether
tn enemy was not hiding new and
deeper guile under an apparently
harmless suggestion.
Then III not see you again for sew
eral days" said I, most Dusinesslike
If you want anything. there will b.
Monson out at the stables where hi
can't annoy you. Or you can get ms
on the long distance. Good-by. Coo,
/ luck"
And I nodded carelessly and friend
lily to her, and went away, enjoyini
the pleasure Of having startled he
into visible establishment. There's
a better game than icy hostility, yol
very young, young lady" said l L
myself, and that game is friendl.
indifference"
Alya would be with her. So sh
was secure for the present and m.
mind was free for finance"
At that time the two most powerful
men in finance we're Galloway an
+ Roebuck. In Spain I once saw
/ fight between a bull and a tiger-ol
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22

lived, but they were never money
makers. would have stopped TO
see them as I came through the city.
if I hadn't been in such a hurry to
get home. But I'm going again soon.
to talk with an architect
AN architect?" Mrs. Torrey's face
flushed She had always wanted a
new house-one in which the south
side was not almost wholly taken up
with entries and stairways and closets
"a house with a bathroom and bay
windows, and possibly a little conserv-
atory. Was her wish to come true9
or was Miles thinking Of getting mar
ried?
Yes. mother. I've made my pile
out there, and you're going to have
your house"
Where are you going 20 have it?''
Where the house is now is the
slightest spot on the farm. isn't it?'
Yes. I think so. What win you
do with this house?"
Tear it down. I suppose" he an
swered slowly, though l kind OF
hate To-"
They were both silent for several
minutes. then Mrs. Torrey cried out
suddenly; "Oh. Miles! Why couldn I
it be moved over to the Caswells?"
He was alert in an instant That's
SOL" he exclaimed. and not let them
know anything about it till twas all
ready for EN- Wouldn't it be greatI'
But could it be moved. with this
big chimney and an2" Mrs. Torrey
asked anxiously.
"Pshaw, yes, I'd risk Andrew Hale
to move anything on top of the earth. =
Then that's settled. said Mrs. Tor,
rey happily
But. mother" Miles laughed in the
midst of it. Maybe they don't want
10 come back. Likely as not they're
better suited with the city than they
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22

Al AMI M 81 AMI &AsAE1A1-
rather the beginning Of a fight. They
we're released into a huge iron cage.
After circling it several times in the
same direction. searching for way
out. they came face to face. The bull
tossed the tiger; the tiger elawed the
bull. The bull roared; the tiger
screamed. Each retreated to his own
side OF the cage. The bull paved and
snorted as if he could hardly wait
to get at the tiger; the tiger erouched
and quivered and glared murderously,
as if he were going instantly TO spring
upon the bull But the bull did not
rush, neither did the tiger spring.
That was the Roebuck-Galloway sit
uation.
How to bait Tiger Galloway TO at
tack Bull Roebuck-that was the prob
lem I must solve, and solve straight
way. II I could bring about war be-
tween the giants. spreading confusion
over the whole field of finance and
filling all men with dread and fear,
there was a chance, that in the con
fusion l might bear of part of my
fortune. Certainly, conditions would
result in which l could more easily
set myself intrenched again; then, too,
there would be a by no means small
satisfaction in seeing Roebuck clawed
and bitten in punishment for having
plotted against me.
Mutual fear had kept these two
at peace for five years, and most con-
siderate and polite about each others
rights" But while our country's in
dustrial territory is vast, the interests
of the few great controllers who de
termine wages and prices for all are
equally vast. and each plutocrat is
tormented necessarily by jealousy and
suspicion; not day passes without
conflicts of interest that adroit di-
plomacy couud turn into ferocious
warfare. And in this matter of mo
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22

THE BHlMENAL SANAGE1 4-N ~
THAT SLENDER WHITE THR(
tempt them. Thus. l was forced to
conclude that must possess a
strength of which was unaware, and
which stirred even Roebuck's fears
But what could it be?
Besides Langdon and Roebuck and
me there were six principals in the
proposed Coal combine, three of them
richer and more influential in finance
than even Langdon. all of them eX'
cept possibly Dykeman, the lawyer
or navigating ofscer of the combine
more formidable figures than l. Yet
none of these men was being assailed.
why am | singled out?" asked
myself. and l felt that if | could an
swer, should find I had the means
wholly or partly to defeat them But
| could not explain to my satisfaction
even Langdon's activities against me.
| felt that Anita was somehow, in part
at least, the cause: but, even so. how
had he succeeded in convincing Roe
buck that | must be clipped and
plucked into a grounding?
1T must have something to do with
the Manasquale mines" l decided.
Il thought l had given over my con-
troll of them, but somehow l must
still have a control that makes me
too powerful for Roebuck to be at
ease so long as l am afoot and armed"
And / resolved to take my lawyers
and search the whole Manasquale
transaction-to explore it from attic
70 underneath the cellar flooring
Wen so through it," said |, like
ferrets through a ships hold" As l
was finishing breakfast, Anita came
in She had evidently slept well, and
/ regarded that as ominous. At her
age. a crisis means little sleep until
a decision has been reached. l rose
but her manner warned me not to
afvanee and Try to shake hands with
her
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22
,Z1D GRAIIArT PHILLIPS, 4uk1ar Of 'ZHEC0sTaN,


Yes" she answered. "As before /"
ignored this Think it over. An.
tia" | Urged-she seemed to me 60
hge sweet, spoiled child again. 1
longed to go straight at her about
that other man. stood for a moment
with Tom Langdon's name on my lips.
but | could not trust myself. I went
away to my own rooms.
thrust thoughts Of her from my
mind. | spent the night gnawing upon
the ropes with which Mowbray Lang.
don and Roebuck had bound me, hand
and foot. | now say they were ropes
OF steel-and it had long been broad
day before J found that weak strand
which is in every rope of human
make.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22
Didn't Hurt.

The ladies of our congregation"
said the minister's little boy. are
very fond o me. A good many OF
EN- gave pa some slippers on his birth.
day"
Il thought your pa always used p
slipper to spank you with.
That's Just it. The slippers the
ladies' gave him are the soft kind
that's made out o. wool"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22

The WEAK STRAND.

NO sane creature, not even a sane
bulldog, will fight simply from love Of
tghting- When man is attacked.
he may be sure he has excited either
fear or cupidity, or both. AS far as
I could see. it was absurd that Gu
pidity was melting Langdon and RE
buck against me. hadn't enough to
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-22
zebra WouId Be lJsefuI.

OF all wild animals the zebra would
be most useful to man if domesti
Gated. It is not liable to horse fever
or tsetse fly
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
LOCAL OIL MEN ARE
ELATED OVER OUTLOOK
POSSIBLE THAT OCTOPUS MAY
HAVE AGGRESSIVE COM
PETITOR HERE,

S. M. Mingus, who with a number
of other local men, is interested in
what is believed to be most prom
Using oil field situated in the south
western part of White Pine county,
has received letter from H. X.
Wheeler. formerly of Ely, but now
of Los Angeles, asking for a full de-
scription of the properties held local
ly, together with a request for in
formation as to the price asked for
the property and terms on which 1t
will be Sold
Associated with Mr.. Mingus in the
ownership of the property are Arthur
C. Cordiner, Peter Weiss, M. f. Rick
ard, Frank Nevins, Francis Klein,
James Creary, the original locator,
and others. They own twenty-seven
and quarter sections, on all of
which the necessary location work
has been done and the claims prop
erly recorded in this county and In
Lincoln county.
Men who are familiar with the
formation of the southwestern Utah
oil fields which have leaped into the
limelight of publicity recently, de-
clare that the formation of the White
is identical with mat of the Utah
fields In the local fields, which are
about So miles south of Ely, the
owners have encountered strata of
fossiliferous shale which is thorough
ly impregnated with volatile and
oleaginQus matter. This shale will
burn when exposed to a flame, leav-
ing hut small quantity of residual
matter,
Mr.. Wheeler, In his letter to Mr..
Mingus, says that If satisfactory ar
rangements can be made, California
experts who have had long expert
ence in oil lands, will make an ex-
animation of the property within a
short time.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
To VISIT P|OCHE
AFTER FIFTY YEARS
A. NJ. WINS, MINING MAN FROM
MEXICO, TO REVISIT SCENES
OF YOUTH.

A. M. Ivlns, a prominent mining
man of Mexico, arrived here last
night Ell route to Phoebe. Mr.. Twins
has been mining In Mexico for over
thirty years and has some very val
liable properties located near those
of the famous Alexander Sheppard.
Phoebe was the former home of Mr..
WINS, and his father was the first
surveyor to go into that district for
mining purposes.
1t has been almost fifty years
since he was last there and he ex-
poets to find the place very much
changed. He said that his father
at one time owned a great deal of
what has since turned out to be val
uable mining property located in that
district He declined to discuss the
nature of the business that carried
him to Phoebe but expressed his in
tention of returning to Ely in short
time and looking over the mines here.
In referring to Mexico Mr. WINS
said that there is much valuable min
ing property being developed but that
he can see no fnducement for an
American to take up a home there
unless he has large interests at stake.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
CLERK ADMITS THEFT;
WAS NOT ASSAULTED

GOLDFIELD, Sept, 20,-Herbert
E. Riggs, boOkkeeper for the E. H.
Newland Brokerage company. who
was found unconscious on the floor
of Newland's Office last Friday night,
and who claimed that he had been
assaulted and robbed of $1,135 of his
employers money, has confessed that
the entire story was cOncOcted to
hide his speculations. Riggs says he
lost a small amount of money gamb-
ling, and fearing that his theft would
be discovered he took I'll the money
there was in the safe and then
bumped his head on the edge of his
desk to give color to the story that
he had been assaulted. He lost 1925
gambling, sent $3.50 east by express
hid 1920 under the steps in the rear
of Carpenters union hall. and tucked
$3.50 away in the corner of the safe.
The confession was made to District
Attorney Swallow and Under Sheriff
Bart Knight. All the money has
been recovered. Newland says he
will not prosecute Riggs because of
the latters youth and his previous
good record.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
NEW SPRING RISES
FROM WARD MOUNTAIN
GUSHER MAKES IT'S APPEAR
ANCE AND lLANY CLAIM
WATER RIGHTS

An unusual freak of nature which
has appeared on the side of Ward
mountain within the last few days
has attracted wide attention from the
many travellers who have passed 1t,
and at the same time promises to
make more or less serious trouble
for a dozen or more men who claim
it as ''all their own"
The freak is a spring of remark
ably clear, pure and cold water,
which, without apparent excuse, burst
from the side of Ward mountain at
point about six miles west of the
Comins ranch few days ago.
The spring shot from the side of
the mountain with sufficient force to
tear for itself an almost unobstructed
channel through the earth and rocks
and for the first few days of its exist
ence gradually increased in volume
until now the flow, which is regular
and steady, is as great as or greater
than that of Murry Springs in Murry
canyon.
The stream from the spring has
formed a channel down the mountain
side and flows almost to the creek in
the valley before it is swallowed up
in the soil he channel is lengthen-
ing daily, however, and In a short
time, if the flow continues unabated,
will reach the other creek.
Appreeiating the monetary value
of such a stream of water, where wat
er Is not all too plentiful, a number of
persons who were on the scene of the
discovery of the spring soon after it
broke from it's mountain prison, fill
ed claims on the waters. So eager
were these persons to secure the
rights to use the water, that there are
now a dozen or more claimants. each
declaring that 'he saw 1t first"
In the event the spring becomes a
permanent thing, there will probably
be considerable litigation instituted
to determine the ownership OF the
water.
Local mining men cannot explain
the cause of SO large a body of water
rising from the mountain side. So
far as is known mere has been no
earthquake shock, nor has there been
a movement or slip in the formation
of the mountain that would he suffi-
cient to change the course of sub
terranean water course.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
PATHFINDER MEEKER
At JOURNEYS END

NEW YORK, Sept 20.-A team of
oxen drawing a prairie schooner"
the driver of which was a rugged
looking old man, who wore typical
western garb, including sombrerQ,
attracted great crowds on Broadway.
The vehicle and the driver were not
only in striking contrast with the au-
tomobiles and carriages on the Great
White Way" but they were a de-
cided novelty in New York. The
driver was Ezra Meeker, a pioneer of
the Oregon trail, who had returned
over the trail he followed to the west
half a century ago All along Riv-
erside drive, from Grants tomb to
Seventy-second street, Meeker was
followed by an interested and curious
throng. When Broadway was reached
the crowd was so dense that the oxen,
which the hale old man afterwards
described as Dave and Dandy, had a
hard time to make any headway.
Meeker's trip ended at last at the
Battery. He had come all the way
from Puyallup, Wash, to New York
in 626 days. Meeker's object in maxi
ing the journey is to persuade the
government to build a national high
way from east to west
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
GAS PLANT FOR
ELY IS PLANNED
William Darst, Chicago Capitalist.
Will Ask Council for
Franchise.
CHEAPER LIGHT AND HEAT
Company Operates In Many Cities
Company Operates In Many Cities
May Also Build ut
GOldfield.

Ely may have a gas plant Will
liam Rarst. Chicago capitalist, is
having franchise drawn up that
will be submitted to the City Council
within short time. District At
torney Eddy has been in communi-
cation with the Chicago financiers
for several months and the details
of the franchise are about cOmplet-
ed. The combination of which Dafst
Is the head, control the gas plants
of Chicago and Salt Lake and have
for some time been trying to extend
their operations to Nevada. Plans
are now on foot to establish gas
works at Goldfield and 1t is thought
that within a short time that city
will be supplied with gas.
No definite location has been Sc
lected for the site of the proposed
plant in this city as yet because OF
the uncertainty of securing fran
chise. but there are several places
on the outskirts of the city that
would be available for the purposes.
Use Coal Screenings.
The intentions of the promoters
are to build large coal yards and use
the screenings from the coal for the
manufacture of gas as Is done In
other cities. Pipes will be laid to
Lane City and Ely City and these
places will be supplied with gas as
well as Ely
franchise was introduced last
July before the board of county COM
missioners for the purpose OF erect
ing gas plant but was refused. At
that time there were franchises pend
ing for street railway, telephone
line and several other projects but
they were all turned down by the
board.
1t is thought by the promoters
now. however, that the city council
will take a favorable view of the en-
terprise as ii will be an addition to
the enterprise of the town.
Those interested In the proposed
undertaking claim that they Will he
able to supply the city with gas to
furnish light and heat at much
lower figure than is now paid for
electricity. To erect a plant of the
kind proposed by the Chicago peo-
pie would cost great deal of money
but they have looked over the ground
very carefully and are satisfied that
1t would be paying investment.
The general sentiment OF the bust
ness men of the city seems to be
that the contemplated gas works
would be a good thing for the COM
munity.
They point out the fact that coal
would be brought in here in large
quantities, which would cheaper the
price of fuel and that the gas pro-
duced could he used for cooking and
heating purposes and would he a
great convenience.
District Attorney Eddy, who has
charge of the arrangements for the
proposed plant expects that there
will be some opposition to the fran
chise when 1t is brought before the
council but that the general senti-
ment of the people will be in favor
of 1t and for this reason II will he
granted.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
Natives Of Hermit Kingdom Throw
Down Tools After Visit Of
Mysterious CompatriOt.
REVOLT AGAINST THE JAPANESE
Break Camp mt Smelter Without No
tice and Say 1--WE
Fight.


Press dispatches from TOXIC ano
London, received here last night, in
dicate that there are troublous times
- -. =.
III s'o'e ~, o'ea' 'ne 'e' n''' A,ae
dom, and that state OF revolution
exists against Japanese rule In thai
Kingdom.
This announcement has consider,
able local interest, In view OF the fac'
that large crew OF Koreans en-
: ployed at the smelter WORKS at NC
GIL, left their work without mo-
ment's notice lew weeks ago. ore"
their time, and departed at once fol
the orient.
The dispatch from TOXIC states
that the Toxic papers are receiving
reports that insurgents, including one
band numbering fully 500 men, are
gathering about Seoul, with the IN
tent1on OF ATTACKING tnaC Guy
Rowing parties of Koreans under
the leadership OF former soldlers are
numbering japanese ofhcers ana civil.
ians, and Koreans VINO are suspected
of having pro-Japanese sympathles
The London cable states that the
question OF the possible annexation oi
Korea to Japan has again arisen
Marquis lto is quoted as saying tha'
the present Japanese policy may be
altered and that drastic measures
may be taken to preserve Japan
sovereignty.
If the Korean people insist In their
attitude of unfriendliness to Japan
1t Is declared that 1t will be but
short time until the Korean govern
ment is completely obliterated, and
the Koreans will be placed absolutely
under the japanese yoke.
For several months a gang of from
sixty to 100 Koreans have been en-
ployed at the smelter at McGill as
common laborers. These laborers at
tended strictly to their own affairs.
seldom mingling with workmen OF
other nationalities. They were So
ber, quiet, industrious and were ad-
mired because of their peaceable dis
position.
The Korean camp received re-
cruit several weeks ago. This re-
cruit entered quietly. He was not
common laporer, though he mingled
with them during the hours they
we're off duty. He seemed to be en-
dowed with some authority which
was instantly recognized by his fell
low cOuntrymen
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
CONDITION OF CLEVELAND
IS SLIGHTLY IMPROVED

PRINCETON, N. j., Sept. 90
Former President Grover Cleveland
was reported to be slightly better to-
day by both his nurse and his ply
sician. DR.. Carnoehan said today:
"Mr. Cleveland Is gaining ground.
OF course, you must remember that
he is an old man and does not re-
cover as quickly as younger man
would. believe that the only thing
to be feared at present is an attack
OF indigestion. One cannot tell what
that would result in. Mr.. Cleveland
is kept strictly on diet and we are
careful to see that he eats nothing
that is notpresorfbed for him. AL
though Mr., Cleveland will never be
the same man he was, we hope In
short time to have him in good
shape"
Mr.. Cleveland was ordered not to
leave the house today on account OF
the inolement weather. Mrs. Cleve-
land and the children will return
home tomorrow.
The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-21
IMPORTS ENTIRE CREW
TO REOPEN RESTAURANT

j. E. Meister. proprietor of the Vi
emma cafe. returned from Salt Lake
last night after an absence of two
weeks. He was accompanied by a
complete restaurant and cafe crew.
from cooks and walters to dish
washers, and the restaurant will he
opened this morning with complete
service.
The crew brought from Salt Lake
by Mr. Meister Is comprised of thor
oughly competent and experienced
restaurant men. The majority of
them were formerly employed in the
Royal cafe and bakery. one of the
most modern eating places in Salt
Lake.
Mr.. Mefster gives assurance that
there with he no further break in the
service at the cafe.