Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-10-08

whisky drunk and more card playin
than on any other day."
I'VE hain't got no parson," objected
one of the crowd.
"Ye fool" growled another, 'haint
We got a man as is worth any three
parsons, and can splash texts around
like clay out O. a cradle. What more
dye want?"
I'VE hain't got no church," urged
the same dissentient.
Have 1t in the open air." one sug-
gested.
Or in Woburn's store" said another
"Or in Adams's saloon"
The last proposal was received with
a buzz Of approval, which showed thai
it was considered the most appropri-
ate locality.
Adams's saloon was a substantial
wooden building in the rear Of the bar
which was used partly for storing IL
quor and partly for a gambling saloon
1t was strongly built Of rough -hewn
logs, the proprietor rightly Judging, in
the unregenerate days Of Jackman's
Gulch, that hogsheads of brandy and
rum were commodities which had best
be secured under lock and key. A
strong door opened into each end of
the saloon, and the interior was spa
cious enough, when the table and lum-
Der were cleared away, to accommo-
date the whole population. The spirit
barrels were heaped together at one
end by their owner, so as to make q
very fair imitation of a pulpit.
At first the Gulch took but a mild
interest in the proceedings, but when
1t became known that Elias B. Hopkins
intended after reading the service, to
address the audience, the settlement
began to warm up to the occasion. A
real sermon was novelty to all of
them, and one coming from their own
parson was additionally so. Rumor
announced that 1t would be interspers-
ed with local hits, and that the moral
would be pointed by pungent PERSONAL
tiles. Men began to fear that they
would be unable to gain seats, and
many applications were made to the
brothers Adams. 1t was only when
conclusively shown that the saloon
could not contain them all with q mar
gin that the camp settled down into
calm expectancy.
1t was as we'll that the building was
Of such a size, for the assembly upon
the Sunday morning was the largest
which had ever occurred in the annals
Of Jackman's Gulch. At first it was
thought that the whole population was
present, but a little reflection showed
that this was not 80. Maule and Phil
lips had gone on a prospecting journey
among the hills, and had not returned
as yet, and Woburn, the gold-keeper,
was unable to leave his store. Having
a very large quantity Of the precious
metal under his charge, he stuck to his
post, feeling that the responsibility was
too great to trife with. With these
three exceptions the whole Of the
Gulch, with clean red shirts and such
other additions to their toilet as the
occasion demanded, sauntered in q
struggling line along the clayey path
way which led up to the saloon. .--7t
The interior of the building had been
provided with rough benches, and the
M xr,if hic r,,fof crnn6- -h,,yanY-Qd
smile, was standing at the door to well
come them. Good morning, boys" he
cried cheerily, as each group came
lounging up. Pass in; pass in. You'll
find this is as good mornings work
as any you've done. Leave your pistols
in this barrel outside the door as you
pass; you can pick them out as you
come out again, but 1t isn't the thing
to carry weapons into the house Of
peace" His request was good-humor-
edly complied with, and before the last
of the congregation filed in there was a
strange assortment of knives and fire.
arms in this depository. When all had
assembled the doors were shut and the
service began-the first and the last
which was ever performed at Jack
mans Gulch.
The weather was sultry and the room
close, yet the miners listened with ex-
emplary patience. There was a sense
of novelty in the situation which had
its attractions. To some it was en-
tirely new, others were waited back by
1t to another land and other days. Be-
yond a disposition which was exhibited
by the initiated to applaud at the end
of certain prayers. by way Of showing
that they sympathized with the senti-
ments expressed. no audience could
have behaved better. There was a
murmur of interest, however, when
Elias B. Hopkins, looking down on the
congregation from his rostrum Of casks
began his address.
He had attired himself with care In
honor of the occasion. He wore vel
veteen tunic, girt round the waist with
a sash of china silk, pair Of moleskin
trousers, and held his cabbage-tree hat
in his left hand. He began speaking In
a low tone, and 1t was noticed at the
time that he frequently glanced
through the small aperture which serv-
ed for a window which was placed
above the heads of those who sat be-
meath him.
1--WE put you straight now" he said'
in the course of his address: 1--WE got
you in the right rut If you will but stick
in it." Here he looked very hard out
of the window for some seconds.
You've learned soberness and indus
try, and with those things you can al
ways make up any loss you may sus-
tain. I guess there isn't one Of ye that
won't remember my visit to this camp.
He paused for a moment, and three
revolver shots rang out upon the quiet
summer air. Keep your seats, all OF
ye!" roared our preacher, as his audi
ence rose in excitement. IF a man OF
We moves down he goes! The doors
locked on the outside, so We can't get
out anyhow. Your seats, ye canting,
chuckle-headed fools! Down with ye'
We dogs, or I'll fire among ye!"
Astonishment and fear brought US
;.,to o,,, caoto on6 staring