The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-10-15

we copy Tue Io'ioWluS ny PVi"i'
sion, from Golfers Weekly OF Octo
Der 10Th. The article W .ich is
SANDER on the community, was
written by one Frank E. Dixon OF
Fairbault, Mimi, who claims that
he played piano in one OF the Wash
burn saloons in the early days. The
article is so overdrawn that older
settlers will brand the writer as
fake of the purest type.
Well back on the shore of Che qua
megon Bay. in nothern Wisconsin,
and pseping its head just above "a
dense background of ID pine and hem
lock forest, stands the beautiful lit
lie ct, OF Washburn with it's large
umbrr indus try. The ircrssant
cumming Of H. large saw-mills is
NV and then broken by the deep
yhorn tones of the big steamers
sautng the city as they pass by
With their huge cargoes OF la Eber,
reading for the big lakes.
Washburn, with its population 81
IS than 5000, supports twenty-five
saloons, and is second only TO
Florence, Il little village OF 10 in
habitants, that holds the state re-
cord of twenty saloons. Dotting
this deep wilderness of pine, back OF
| W:shLurn, ale mum. rOus logging
| camps. with their crews oil hardened
men, men who know but little OF the
value of money, men who give no
thought to future benefits-carless,
soul hardened men.
Every month-sometlm"s oftener
"a camp Of Lumber Jacks, as they
are t, rm, d, invades he city of Wash
burn. to have a 'good time, and
within few hours every one OF them
i, penniless, and the saloons are
richer by several thousand dollars.
| L ludtte petSohoi O''- "oo ''A'"s
the merchants in regard to their
share of patronage from these Lum-
Der Jacks, and in every case | fout d
that there was apparently nothing
derived from their dealings with
them. Many o. the merchants held
some unpaid bills and were cOntem-
plating legal process for their collec-
ton. With the saloons, things were
different. 1t was cash down before
the goods were handed out. Every
saloon had it's crew of loafrrs, num-
beriny about twenty, who always
happen around when the Lumber
Jacks come in on their spree. And
they keep posted as to when this
occurs.
Under the skilful handling OF the
saloon-kecper, this fleeing of Lum-
Der Jacks has become a perfect
working system, and it is rare
thing for one of them to GET away
with dollar in his pocket. AS soon
as rumor gets afoat that the Lum.
Der Jacks are coming that night,
every saloon keeper will draw from
$500 to $4,000 from The banks. This
, they use ia cashing the checks, that
range in amounts of $50 to $50 each
aud there are between thirty ano
fifty Lumbe Jacks in each camp.
In connection with this crew o
loafers, every saloon has music oil
various sorts. from piano to an
auto matte hand organ. This music
is set going the mil ute the first
Lumber Jack heaves in sight, and is
kept contin ualiy grinding until be
has passed over his last nickel
Then something's clogs up and the
) music stops until another time. NJ
free music, nor free drinks.
I was teaching music, and had be-
come well known as an entertainer
One day I was approached by
saIoon-keeper in regard to furnishing
him with music for that night. His
regular musician had taken sick, anC
the Lumber Jacks were coming, Sc
he had 10 have music.
Nv first thought was to refuse
him; but the amount of money he Of
me. and my desire to see the work
ing of this fleeing process, deferred
me, so accepted.
I was to begin at 8 O'Clock and
quit at o'clock the next morning
At 7.15 reported 70" duty, and
found the entire crew of loafers AND
three bartenders on hand, receiving
their Instructions from the proprie.
tor. [ was instructed to hand out
verything that knew in the line oil
entertain ment.
About 8.10a great uproar was
heard in the street, and we rushed
to the doors. Screeching like Ute
Indians, came this noisy pack OF
Lumber Jacks. 1t was my time 10
a,t raco6 hack tn tho nianO and