The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-13
OLD JACK-KNIFE
SELLS FOR SlOO

cid rusty jack-knife. 1t lay half
buried in the snow, and not one in
a hundred men would have given il
more than passing glance, and few
would have been the boy who
would have given it pocket room
so little did it retain any of its
quondam beauty.
At least, when it was blessed with |
every attraction known to the
manufacture art, it could not have
sold for IS cents, and in its present
condition it was worth no more
than the fate it was receiving.
The knife lay on that walk in
front OF the residence of the Rev,
Francis B. Short, and this gentle
man was the first to stoop and pick
it up. On examination, Dr. Short
found the newly acquired property
10 contain one blade, rusty and
with a saw edge, a hook which
some told him was for cleaning out
the hoofs of horses, and which
others said was for opening cham
paigne bottles, and corkscrew.
DR.. Short carried the knife in his
right hand coat pocket for several
weeks, and never found occasion to
put it to use, for obvious reasons.
Down in Humbolt county, Nevada,
is new mining camp known to
the world as Chafey. Last Saturday
night there was an entertainment
given by the good people of the
camp for the benefit of the school
fund. The noted Whitney Brothers
quartette Of Rochester, N. Y, was
on hand, four fine looking and
jovial brothers giving the audience
as enjoyable a collection of songs as
ever thrilled audiences in the largest
cities of the country. DR.. Short,
with several other Salt Lakers, was
present, and Dr. Short gave talk
best calculated to lead the hearts
beneath the corduroy and khaki,
He had no sooner taken his seat,
when the audience began to howl
for more, and on again facing his
cheering friends, the reverend
gentleman rammed his hands in
his coat pockets, the hall none toe
warm, and he unconsiously grasped
that old jack knife. Then he had
an inspiration. Holding up the
knife, DR.. Short said:
There is an old knife which ]
have carried for some time.
We are met here tonight 10 help
out the school fund of Chafey.
am going TO auction this knife
to the highest bidder, the proceeds
to go TO that fund. 1t is not hand
some specimen of the manutac.
turers art, but from It's remaining
parts judge it is of some value in
a mining camp Here you wi.
notice is an old blade. you can use
that for anything it is fit for.
On this end is hook which car
be used for cleaning the toe-nails o
horses or opening wine bottles
while here is a corkscrew who's
uses are obvious. What am l bidP
One rusty boxing miner bid 81
Then came perfect avalanche o
bids. Everyone caught their breath
when John Q. Critchiow of Sal
Lake City bid S25. which was rails
ed by Mr. sirrell, the real estat
man of Zion, and John Condron 0
the Cullen hoel shou'ed out S35
DR.. Short pointed it at Mr.. Cond
ron, aud was about to call
gone" when William Sims tn
partner of T S Shafey. called on
$50. Critchlow, Birrell and Cond
ron all made another attempt TO bi'
in the knife, but Sims wanted II
and in few seconds hal run, TIL
bids up to 500 at which point DR.
Short declared Mr. Sims the owner
Cheers rang through the hall 70
minutes, aud Mr.. Critchlow, VIII
was master of ceremonies, an
nounced that the knife would b
gold plated and treasured by tn
camp of Chafey as long as sent
ment existed. A collection was a
once suggested, and before tn
crowd filed out of the hall, tn
school fund was close to $aoo, an,
all on account OF an old jack knit
n which some owner must hav
thrown away as useless.
DR.. Short was approached a lev
minutes after the meeting adjourn
ed by the leading saloonkeeker G
Chaley, who extended an Invitation
for the following (Sunday) eveni1i
to talk "the boys" He gladl
availed himself OF the opportuni'
to further reach the miners OF III
district, aud at 6 O'Clock las
Sunday night he gave an eloquer
talk on mau's responsibility to hi
family. himself and to the world.
FWaa L.