davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Wits Use Barbed Arrows.

At that time Eugene Field was con-
ducting' sn,onS other lines Of york q
Rhymes and Bill Nye was editing an.
other which was called Funny Column -
both high grade specialties always ap-
pearinG or. tho editorial page OF the
appearance. OF Patti that particular page
In the Tribune was worth going miles TO
read.
Learning 10 an absolute certainty so
that there could be no question OF doubt,
Mnfsirness or uneenerons censure. that
Patti had not been sick or oven indis-
posed, but nad in a moment Of irrita-
bic petuiance and caprIciousuess, taken
ulnbrage at somebody or something. said
or left unsaid. all purely imaginative,
and, being irreconcilahle TO persuasion or
so common among priula donnas. that of
having her own way, Irrespective of the
pleasures or comforts OF others, and
seemingly regardless too. as to how theiI
regulations arc affected by deceit and
naughty indifference.
When the famous singer read the
Irnuns the on9 morning foliowins win, her In,
pie something very much Ike the follow
Ing met her eye:
"A crestfsllen jsckass once meeting 9
Why Ia IT., my dear prima donna. thai
am always treated with SO much con.
,u,nely and diedaIn, and YOU are invari
the skies9 Have not, like yourself
strong and Inolodious voice? Have
not. too. large and finely sttuned ears?' >
True. true said the vain prime
donna, feigning sincerity-I grant yo,
all that you claim, but. with your fint
strong legs, and shapely, convincing feet
and your inclination 10 he as stubborn a!
am, can YOU kick as hard as cam >
And under the caption OF Nursery
Rhymes. EuSene Field had something
after this style for the delectati ton OF tn,
great Patti;
y stands for Patti. the empress Of song
{ stands for crowds who waited so long
stands for nerve: G. stands for gall
r for the public who won't stsnd for all
1t Was said by q. number Of responsi
bic people In Dcnver--who were wlllint
at the time OF the occurrence TO be quot
ed as authority that. when Madame Patt
saw the editorial page OF the Tribune
the morning after indulging In her lit
tie whim and caprice, some Of tn,
speeches she made use Of Werc-well
they were forceful and vigorous. but
bit inelegant
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07

1881. MaIame Helena Moijeska ap.
pearcd ia Il repertoire of excellent
dramas.
She gave mastcrfu and finished
Interpretation of Victorian Sardou 5
"'Seraphinc, or rather short sclec
tions of two acts, followed by 'Ca
mile in its entirety. Several of
the supposedly fictitious characters
from Fields blue Horizon, who
were in fact men of real flesh and
blood, such as "Sorry Tom, -
'Casey,i "Three Fingered Hoover
and Professor We're de Blaw. being In
Denver; likewise much in evidence, at
the time. saw Malame Modjeska at her
best.
in the scene where Armand attacks
Camille so violently, finally throwing
her to the floor. Field makes "Three
Fingered Hoover Jump on the stage
and CALAMITY protest against such un.
natural proceedings, saying: '' won t
set by and see the fecliu's Of a
lady hurt. Col durn crittcr. anyhow,
that does a woman Dirt The situa-
tion was not strained, nor WAS IT FAR
from what actually happened. Three
Fingered Hoover character we'll
known in the vicinity Of Central City
in tho earlier days, but not by. that
name, witnessing the maryclously
realistic acting of Modleska, was on
the point of pulling his artillery in be-
half of Cancel as he called her,
ami was only restrained by the com
bned efforts Of Field, Nye. Colonel
John Atkins and William Stapletou,
now editor-in-c of the Denver Rc-
publican all of whom, in company
with the gentleman from "Red floss
Mountain, occupied proscculum
boxes.
The scene that followed, as por.
travcl by Field. wherein ne brings
to the foreground many of Denver g
best known citizens. besides being
amusing, is exceptionally clever. One
by one they are made to stink away,
mortified aud humliated TO the eX.
tremity Of wishing to vanish with
"'Threc Fingered Hoover who
"Riz up like giant in that little
painted pen.
And stepped upon the platform with
the women folks and men;
Across the troughs of gasllght he
bounded like deer,
| An then we sec him shed his hat an
revercptly kneel.
An put his strong arms tcDderly about
! the gal Cancel,
I The world will never know how very
| nearly true IL all was, or how nearly II
/ came to being enacted.
! About the Time that Eugene Field was
| so happily employed in writing his pretty
| things in Western Verse. John Atkins
| Carlyle c. Davis and James NJ, Burpel
all OF whom had formerly held cases on
the Rocky Mountain News, had drifted
with tho ,surgng tide of humanity tc
| Lesdville, and had commenced the pub
] lication OF the Evening Chronicle, sub
1 seQuenlly made famous by printing Ortiz
| Stems remarkable stories OF his won
dcrfully fertile and prolific imagination
| which might have been eoualed but GER
tainly not surpassed by the incredible
tales of Baron MuuchauScn.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Fun With Talmage.

Humorous things occurred in the lives
of the newspaper men at Lcadv)lc at
that period. I am reminded OF one that
never got in print. Among the many
carbonate camp covering the period this
story deals with, men of notorety and
eminent distinction was the eloquent di-
vine, T. Dewitt Talmage OF New York
in particuIar-but celebrated alike every
where The reverend gentleman. who
had a penchant for "slumming,' as wit
ness his experience in Chicago when he
Of his visits to the underworld districts.
'Jf Christ Should Come TO Chicago
conceived the idea, probably from what
he had heard, that Leadville was even
ripper for his Investigations. and sub
sequent missionary work. than any place
benevolent attentions towards Lead
vile.
But the intentions and the coming Of
the reverend gentleman had been SO
widely heralded that the newspaper fra =
ternity OF Leadvlle had been duly ap-
prised OF his mission, and they resolved
on giving the good man ample opportu-
nifty Of seeing things TO talk about and
write about,
Accordingly, when Mr. Talmage
reached Leadvillo he found among many
other things n programme arranged for
his pleasure and comfort. which en-
braced all the usual forms Of civility,
tions. He found. also, that the press OF
Leadvile had taken the precaution 20
make him well known, in advance, to
the "notsam and jetsam" Of the Cloud
city-because truth impels the sta tement
that there were some people In Lead
really had never heard or the eloquent
preacher,
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07

Gus and full of compensarine COM
raderie. Casey very ably conducted a
combination boarding house and ''rcs
teraw,' bar. and on mlrthtul occa-
sions. his aristocratic premises where
the tony congrcgated. were trans
formed into Il dance hall. In reality.
these two men were only mediocre
nearly always in live mining camps IN
thes golden days of mining activity IN
Colorado. Field. however. with his keen
sense of the humorous and the ridicu"
lous, so thoroughly developed, and cle
waited, and amplifcd them, as to fit
them for the gallery of fame. One who
has ever felt touch of this nature.
which makes all the world akin, can.
not help but feel as Field did, when
he said;
"Ob, them days on Rcd Hoss Noun
tain,
When the skies wuz fair mt blue,
When the money flowed like Ticker,
An the folks wuz brave and true:
When the nights wuz crisp and balmy,
And the Camp wuz all astlr,
With the joints all throwed wide open
md 10 sheriff to Jemur'
"Whst though the Camp wuz busted
I seem to see it still
Alyin'. as ] loved it,
On that big md warty hill:
An feel sorta yearning
And a chokin' in my throat.
When t think Of Red Hoss Mountain
Nd Casey's Table Dote'''
Here. TOO, in this boisterous little
mining camp. where all Of his sur
roundings and environments and IN
huencirg forces were uncouth. If not
actually rcpelling, be saw nothing but
the latent, dormant humor of the situa
ton, unless perhaps it was the sub
lime and unparalleled scenic splendors
Of mountains AMI valleys, and at
mospheric effects, where it only can
be seen. when half Of the landscape is
hung with the soft drapcries of heecy
clouds above. through which tho snowy
mountains raise their hoary heads.
And vet, confronted with all of these
peculiar and strange conditions, aud
from these swiftly moving panora mic
pictures, Eugene Field wrote one of
his best mountain songs Casey s
Table Dote.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Slaps Srllllvan's S Face.

The eventful evening having arrived
when II was decided to have the coup
de etat, all hands were gathered about
the Board of Trade bar in the most
socable and companionabIe way imagiu-|
able, John L.. of course, being the center
OF attraction, around which the lesser
satellites obseauously revolved in awe
and admiration
Mcllowed with frequent draughts Of
wine and. consequently, being easily in-'
duced 10 relate some OF his marveeus
fcnts of strength science and soneal-
ship in the roped arena. being admirably
coached and encouraged by the good Hc-
tors of the plot. Sullivan utima' ely DRIFT !
ed into making the most cXtravaganl'
boasts as 10 how and what he would do
with all aSplrants who might come for-'
ward 10 contest for the title, and the
coveted bell.
jenkins. at this juncture. wisely calcu-,
latinE that John l.. was in more or less
of an irresponsible condition and WoOldnt
remember what he had said. wormiDg
himself directly in front Of the big fel-
low. with an lmperturable countenance,i
as devoid of expression as a goldfish, eyt
witbal revealing sort of menaclns incn'
nation. said calmly: What old you nle,n
directed to me-" Sullivan, who had lost
all recollection of his last remark. ss.
sumnz a puzzled look. said: What are
ye talking about. man. Are You crazy.
az am neither crazy nor insenslble TO 10
suits" shouted Jenkins, AT The same
time slappinG Sullivan on the check wtu
such violent force as 10 produce re- 4
sounding whack like the explosion OIL
fireCra ckcr
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Extraordinary Spectacle.

Among the first things that Mr. Skiff
did was TO secure all OF the available
carriages in the city. which. with their
tops thrown back and, being occupied
by members OF the newspaper fraternity
representing youth, beauty, talent and
Wit forming n formidable array OF
genius and briliancy, paraded about the
principal streets OF the city-revealing
these giants OF brain pursuits. doing hom
age to the modest poet OF nature. Those
who Witnessed the extraordinary specta-
Gle will never forget il.
Every occupant OF every carriage was
arrayed not only like Solomon in all his
glory" but in the most striking and pic
turcsduc costumes obtainable, and all dis
played decorations cmblematical OF art
and nature-being n miniature Tyre inter-
wound or surrounded by lilies and sun
flowers. The conquerinS hero--the god
of the muses. like Gains Julius Caesar
returning from his conquests. was
| crowned With a wreath of ivy and myr-
tic.
II has been impiousy related by un-
poetic and soulless spirits that. after a
prolonged feast OF reason and flow NJ
soul lasting many hours. the poet OF the
beautiful was conveyed to his hotel by
his indefaticabie entertainers In the mail
| cGsrt OF tho Rocky Iountain News. while
| the esrort which resemblod A funeral cor
! teCc. followed the dethroncd monarch
[ chanting vsrses from the pro3trate bard 6
| sI ilx" and "C;old eOrud "
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
When Patti Was Repuked.

Soon after Oscar Wildc's visit to Den
yer. Madame Patti-Adelina Patti, the
Incompatible italian diva. the peerless.
divine queen of song. came TO town.
II dors not seen unreasonable 10 believe
that Madame Patti will remember the
visit referred to with ANYTHING but feel
ings of-of-of n Crest deal OF annoy
ance. clIagrin and shame.
The newspaper men then employed on
the Denver papers. than whom a more
generous Just and manly lot OF fellows
never lived, would 20 to the greatest ex
tremes i'm paving respect and tribute tc
genuine worth. but they detested any
thing savoring Of intolcrabie egoiS!n and
fraud whether Il was ncavily Gllded or
lightly vcueercd.
Madame Patti's coming 10 Denver on
this visit in particular. like former visits,
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Buys Bogus Nuggets.

But Bill could do one thing 10 abso-
lutte perfection. lie could manufa cture
gold nuggets so artSticaly true 10 ma :
ture. as TO defy detection of fraud by the
scientist. without. of course. resortlne to
an analysis or acid test. He made two
superb ones for the Rev. Mr.. Talmaee
(Hho paid Bill handsomely for them).
though he stoutlY maintained that he
procured them OF AN old miner who
washed them from the gulches in Mos
quito range.
Apropos OF Chicken Bnr'-he is the
same guileless party who salted pros
pect on Freyer hill, lying between the
"Chrysolitc" and Little Pittsburgh"
mines. for which he Subsequently oh o.
Lained $4,000 OF Governor Tabor
Later, when Tabor and associates ex-
tractod nearly a million dollars from the
samo claim. Bill declared in Jnmea sured
terms that he had been Skinned by
Tabor
The next event OF more than ordinary
Importance, in which the LeadyjIle
newspaper men took active parts. col
lectively. was when that sadiatorial
hero, tho Honorable "Johp l.. Sullivan of
Boston"-as he was fond of being called
came TO the "City OF the Clouds" John
! OF his glorious professional carear. social
prominence and proud distinction. and
never being ayerse to press notices of a.
favorable nature at the hands of The
newspaper boys. with whom he was on
excellent terms. his coming to Lead :
vile was looked forward TO With keen
interest. both by ''Jawn' and the press
crowd.
Accompanying John L., besides several
hStic celebrities of more or less rruown
was that former invncihlc hero Mr.
Slade, once herplded from ocean to ocean
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Sullivan Dumbfounded.

This being the signal for supposed ho'-
tilities Jenkins was pounced on ,! =
number of the iokers. who hastily elss,,,s l,,,'
cd him from the house while he winE, wis,
but yainv endeavored To draw inythlrF5,
gun After quiet had been restored ana
the assurance given that Jenkins ~oulo
positively not reappear. the greatest SUI
prise and emotion was manifested by tns
new spsper men that Sullivan could hats
so forgotten himself and 70 have been ~
inconsiderate and ungra cious as 10 un,
warra ntaoly and without the slishtess'
provocation. 10 grossly insult Jenk'ns;;
who for much less cause haG on sovefd'
occasions. killed his man, -.
II would he wholly impossible 70 a..
tempt a satisfactory description ol ns. .ns
look Of slupeiied dismav and VacansS,
on Sullivan's face at this speech. ~
couldn't articulate. but stammcred OUT ln
coherently his surprise-his regret INA, =
such thing could have occurred, and ia .
most vigorous protest that he had NOT "
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Tribute to Field.

or all the many beautiful and appro-
pirate tributes that have been spoken
and written OF Eugene Fields mental
qualifications and genius, and many
competent minds have contributed just
and glowing culogies on his intellectual
capacity, few have measured with full
appreciation and completeness the crown
Ing glory of the mans character-his
genial personality. his unswerving loyal
ty, his earnest. genuine affection ten
derness and mindful regard for the feel
ings OF others
His soul was filled with consderatc
kindness. Ills pen had no fondness for
tracing malicious or envious invectives-
but rather in springlng involuntarlly to
the aid OF some generous impulse, and
some charitable cause. Those who knew
him bost--loved him best. for his gentle
ness and wonderful uDselfishness.
Newspaper life In Denver In 1879 and
1850 and newspaper life in Leadvllle dur
ing the same period were two wholly
distinct and different things, In the
main the occupation was the same. II
was equally necessary in both localities
TO employ the same tact, ingenuity and
skill in the gathering and assembling OF
news matter, but, il required cooler il
not maturer Judgment and discrimination
as to what should and what should not
be used In the columns OF Lcadyille pa
pers, The environment social conditions
and circumstances in general were ma
tcTi3liy different
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
By III. G.. Brownlee of Salt Lake

was extensively billed-the newspapers
contributing more than their share of
eratultous notices. and, on other oc-
casions, tho FIRST night house had been
wholly sold out at ridiculouuly extor-
tIonatr prices.
Tho moment arrived for the appear
ancc OF tho great song bird, and 2h0C
people hold their breath in great eX-
pectancy for more tnan an hour beyond
the time set for her grand entree. only
TO hear come blase looking orator with
a most forbiddinE voice bawl out: Ladies
and gentlemen, I desire to say on behalf
Of the management that, on account ot
point 1000 sore. d!sgusted and dis
Eruntled, but former admirers Of tho i'm
mortal cancatrice, rose en- massc and
left tho theater. SAYING things not WHOLLY
TnnlIme ntarY to PRIu.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07

a LII OF Eugene Field s musical and
~ attractive verses on life In min
~ ing camps were not bction, or
- creatures of his inventive
penius and wonderful faculty of beau
tiful imagery Like nearly all writers
of prose and verse. many of his heroes
especially mountain characters, were
selected from the rank and file OF every.
day affairs, but through the agency OF
skillful mapipulations and mastery dls-
cuises given them by the author, they
became more than "hewers OF WOOD
aud drawers of water. His Casey s
Table Dote. ''The Gosh All Hemiock
Mine. - Martha s Younkit," all Won
derfully appealing stories, were evolved
from several periodical trips into some
of the older mining camps contiguous
TO Denver.
These trips were the means of bring
ing about direct personal ASSOCIATION
and contact with real figures, who
spraug into mctamorphosed existence
through the alchemy OF Field s maagl-
cal pen, and his rare capacity of I'M
personatiou and idcaljsm. Once when
nc took a little trip for recreation,
going into that wonderfully beautiful
and silent country that lies a at the foot
of the western slope of Argentine pass,
vyhere the Snake and Blue rivers have
their source. between the old mining
camps Of Decatur and chihuahua be
conceived the theme and obtained the
material for bis. pathetic story OF
"Martha's Younkit.' It was probably
the first time that he had ever stood
in the shadows Of the great towering
and awe-inspiring mountains or felt the
inexpressiblc solitude and silence Of
the cool, deep gulches; watched the
magpies 20 Auttcring to and fro in
their mysterious flights like blue and
white spectres. and experienced that in-
dciinable sensation that comes TO every
oue--the realization of his infnitesimal
smallness in the presence of everything
that gave expressive evidence OF the
majestic cranducss. the broadness and
immensity of God s marvellous crea-
tinnS
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Rothaker Triumph.

The article H. question called forth
comments OF D most culogistic nature by
every metropolitan newspaper In this
country and abroad. II was characterized
as one of the ablcst and most comprc-
hcnsve articles ever written on such a
subject. being replete in patriotic senti-
ment. finished In diction, rhetoric and fer
vid eIouuence,
Just about this time another literary
cclebrity-believing that Denver was the
mecca OF his fame and fortune, appeared
on the horizon in the person of Oscar
Wilde. the aesthetic poet who. coming
10 America in tile wake OF his exceeding
pretty verses. and. hearing of the Denver
Press asscciation.-of the eminence OF its
members, and their charming hospitality
came westward
Fred ]. V. Skiff now head OF tho hu-
reau Of mines and metallurgy, then busj-
ness manager of The Denver Tribune
by unanimous request, assumed the du-
ties of host for this memorable occasion.
OF receiving and entertaining tho poet of
nature and the beautiful.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Bill Nye Lion of Hour.


had been conducting paper called The
Boomerang" and which had been more
instrumental Than any other cause or
medium in placing laramle on the map map,
enfoos. DlckensheetS Cowan and Ber-
lrand on the Denver Tribune-thus form
ing q galaxy OF as brilliant and charming
writer's rs any paper in the land could
boast Of.
Bill Nye was then the lion OF the hour,
being at the zenith of his popularity on
account OF his exceedingly droll and gro
tesquc humor, which justly had heen
given much praise and publicity by the
press of the country. In severing his
position with the government as post
while the relations which had existed fol-.
some time between himself and the other
hired help had been exceedingly pleas
ant, and along such lines as would per
nit one 10 pursue them agreeahys they
had not been muuificent or profitable to
that extent TO lead him 10 warra ntably
incur any wild or unreasonable eNtraVa-
ganceS.
At that time he had just written and
made public his genuinely witty and fun
ny resignation to Uncle sam. wherein he
apologized for and regretted his lnabil J.
tY TO longer subsist on tho mere pit
tance he WAS allowed for his services,
furthermore informing the president that
when he came To Laramie he would fIno
the key of the postoffiCe over the door.
He also explained at length that he had
left the premises rather abruptly while
yet he retained sufficient vigorous and
stalwart manhood 10 refrain from SELL
ing the office stove in order to procure
fuel Rothaker. too had Just been
brought prominently before the reading
public OF the country aud has established
considera bic OF a reputation as a facile,
complaisant writer, and had gained much
prestige by editorial work OF g. strong
nature, among some Of the more notable
ones being HIS mastery editorial on the
death OF President Garfield, who had
been stricken down by the Assassin Gull
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-01-07
Talmage Defrallded.

Beyond being made tie possessor Of
Two large gold nuggets, which the noted
divine. obtained OF Chicken Bill" who
parted with the precious treasures With
reluctance. protesting to the last, the
Rev. Mr.. Talnlage did not participate in
any further thrilling experiences during
his stay in Leadville.
Chicken Bill by the way, was a
rare specimen OF the genus homo. He
was versatile and talented rascal. Pos
sessing a superficial knowledge OF many
things, coupled with strong personality v
and faculty of appearing wise, he could
be plausible, particularly. when dealing
with g1llltblc and unsophistcated "ten-
der feet. Bill was especially fond ot
airing his profound knowledge Of chem
istry and mctallurgy He would deliver
himself OF such facts as Gold is a trJ-
atomic metallic element, 1t is very
ductile, grain OF 1t can be drawn into
a wire 800 feet long, and will gid two
miles of fine silver II does not oxidye
in the air, and Is not acted upon by
oxygen or water at any temperatures. IT
can be dissolved by n mixture OF nitric
and hydro-chloric acids, and that II
crystalizes In cubes, and that Il forms
two series OF salts--aurous and auric"-
and like lot Of overpowering lingo.