Valdez weekly prospector., 1908-10-22
LEAF IS TORN FROM
 HISTORY OF NOME

narcide, recently passed through Valdez on his way to the Yentna goldfelds. The visit of Zorn recalls an episode which took place in Nome several years ago and which, owing to the pull of some of the participants, was not published by the Nome pa- pers, although it had elements which under other circumstances would have made it front page story.
 When Zorn came to Nome he pitched his tent on what is known as the slXty-foot government reserve. His abode was immediately in the rear of town lot owned by Erie Lindblom, one of the original discoverers of the Nome diggings. Eric had evolved from shanghaied tailor of Frisco to runaway sailor from whaler in the Arctiy, and thence to a rich ibut par simohious mining magnate. In pas sing by his lot one day the mine own CT espied the tent of the humble mar eide man, and from where he stood he thcaght that Zorn had jumped his real property. He hiked to the office of his lawyer, one Nelson, and told his troubles. A young law clerk named Orton was detailed on the case.
 In thpse days of Nome's history the lavSF delay was reasonable ex- cuse fos, persons to take matt CTS of this ma ure pretty much into their own hands, and as Orton was a law yer just beginning to sprout, he thought the quicker way to accom- plish the desired end was to follow precedent and, with the assistance of a few satellites evict the supposed lot jump, himself.
 On the morning of the event in question fdnr men, two abreast, came down NcnE's principal street Com- posing the party were Ira D. Orton, now lawyer of Nome; Wilson Mig nera who b.2ke into the limelight from obsodTfCy by wedding the wid- ow of Millionaire Yerkes; Willis Britt, who has acquired greatness by being the brother and manager of Jimmie Britt, of pugilistic fame, and Johnny Moore, well known knight of the gaming table. All carried fire arms in plain view, Mizner having sawed off shat gun, the others preferring re- volVers. The armed cavalcade, in double quick time, proceeded to the home of the marcide maker.
 Many curious, hoping that a little gun play might be forthcoming, brought up the rear of the procession.
 When the gun men arrived at the scene of the purposed fray, Zorn, entirely unconscious of impending danger, was grinding an axe, talking in the meantime to one Winne, an epistle of the Mormon Church. Two of the vigilantes poked their guns in the face of the marcide man, while the remaining two covered the apos- tie. The latter loudly disclaimed any and was permitted to depart in peace, which hehurriedly did. The weapons which had been pointed at him were then turned on the explosive inventor Zorn calmly ground away at the axe, four loaded guns within foot of his nat. Orton did all of the talking first, with an emphatic suggestion now and then from his brothers in arms, Iorn was told to remove his carcass and belongings forthwith, or his re- mains would be carried off in q stretch | CT. ...
 Finally Zorn took the floor. He ex- hausted the vocabulary of two langu- ages in invective and expletive, switching from the English to the German, and winding up his discourse by exclaiming, I'll fix you =
 - how" and starting for his | tent.
 | The gun men thought that Zorn was going to "dynamite'' them and hastily receded to a safe distance.
 A few minutes elapsed when Zorn | emerged, carrying something under his arm. The gun fighters didn't know what it was, but it didn't look dangerous, so they again marched forth. When they had arrived with in twenty feet of Zorn, the latter took the object from under his arm and took shot at tho quartette. As the | thing was camera no one was woun. ded.
 The crowd had by this time swelled to hundreds, about the only absenteet being the officers of the law. Finally . man stepped into the arena, took Britt by the coat collar, told him tc put away the gun or he might shoot himself with it, told the other fellow; to ''out it out, and the battle wal ended. No blood was shed, but the victory was awarded to Zorn.
 Anewspaper man offered Zorn S1 ,00t