The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-08-14
James Pike
OF Pikeville
By EVERETT P. CLARKE

| The Pikeville gold fields were discov-
cred and exploited by Jim Pike, who
was as big a rascal as ever lived.
There was not an ounce of gold within
two miles Of the place except what
Jim had put there from some otLer
mine, but 1t was enough when mixed
with q certain red ore there was on the
property he had staked out to sell to
others to convince hungry gold hunters
that he had struck it rich.
When therefore he gave out that he
had several hundred acres and couldn't
work more than one acre himself every
body clamored TO buy a small slice of
his surplus. 1t required lot of per-
suading to induce him to sell, and
every time he sold lot he seemed to
be heartbroken. There goes for
tun'," he would say. Just because
haven't the funds to get 1t out o. the
ground"
Nevertheless Jim was always per-
suaded, and if the would be purchaser
hadn't the cash to buy with he would
Just as favor-take anything he could
get. He sold one man who was down
on his luck lot fifty feet by fifty for
revolver This transaction was talk
ed about, and any man who had a
horse, a watch or an old fiddle would
70 to Jim Pike and buy bit of ground
with it.
But none of these investors got any
gold out of their lots. First there was
grumbling; then there was cursing, and
at last there was putting together OF
heads, and the opinion was promulgat-
ed that Pike had swindled the pur-
chasers. Those who had bought the
best and largest tracts for cash con-
suited as TO how they could get their
money back; those who had bought
with cats and dogs were not so
wrought up, but among the whole there
grew up disposition to prevent Pike
from getting away from the place with
the booty.
Pike had a deep insight into human
nature. 1t was his opinion that those
who have been swindled once might be
swindled again. Moreover. he believed
that it is easier to swindle commu-
nifty than an individual. That's the
plan" he said, ION which promoters
work. If Tom is satisfied that GER
tain scheme is a good one Dick is ready
to follow Tom, and the two together
bring in Harry. Tom. Dick and Harry
bring in the multitude"
So Mr. Pike concluded that, having
by one swindle made a nucleus for
another, he bethought himself what
that other one should be. The object
OF his second scheme was not TO take
any more money out of the citizens OF
Pikeville, for he had got about all there
with his plumber.
He gave out that in the kindness OF
his heart he had taken many odds and
ends for his property for which he
had no use. He had decided to lump
them and rattle them. He thought
there were $1,000 worth OF them, but
he would call 1t $500
Those who had invested money In
Pikeville lots scorned to invest in
Pixies lottery. Those who had lost
nothing Of moment thinking that these
neighbors had bought with more vai-
liable articles than himself and that
the collection would be fine thing TO
have. took shares. In this way 800
shares were sold to the most gullible
of the population. Pike not only took
the remaining 200 shares himself. but
pledged himself II he won TO put the
names OF those holding shares in hat
and let a little child, blindfolded. draw
a name To the person whose name
was drawn be would turn over the ar
ticles raiiied for.
This seemed so fair, so generous.
that Il caused quite a revulsion I'm
Pixies favor Those who had sneered
az him did not do SO any more for
fear OF exciting hostility against them
selves Indeed. there were several
fights between scoffers and sharehold-
ers in the lottery.
While the shares we're being sub
scrilyed for the articles % be rafied
were exhibited. I'm Pixies yard were
two horses, both blind. a coz. three
dogs and n goat In his living room
were LtnluL loles AlAeiEaA tArAA HAhfAh-s
several articles Of furniture. some rugs
much worn-and small articles Of
every description down 20 a iewsharp.
when the collection had been er-
hibited long enough to give every one
. sight. though too short - enable any
one 20 Judge ~ SIS worthlessness. Il
was announced that the drawing would
take place the next evening az : O'Clock.
A little girl six years Old was bind
folded. a plug hat with 500 names IN
if-200 heinz Pikes-wns piaced -
fore Der. she put IN Der hand and drvw
cut the name ~ james Pike.
Mr. PIKE sfeuped forth and said that
be- had understood there was some
error a. the uames IN TIE bar. that
her would be cnrefuiiv examined ana
he FINAL driving would take piaes e.
~ o'ciack the uert mo-uinE there
Eas q cheer 70 this. ard the Eenergus
gr PIKE bowed and SAILED nfafr.
The citizens ~ T'iksFfHe rruse fhs
at morning rruch excited. TheT had
"a 81 sreIfrrIaIf ~ months anI flls