Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-11-18
lanes Pike
Of Pikeville
3, EVERETT p. CLARKE

The Pikeyille gold nelds were discov-
cred and exploited by Jim Pike VINO
was as big 4 rascal as ever lived
There was not an ounce or gold withih
two miles OF tile place except whAt
Jim had put there from some otner
mIne. but IL was enough when mixed
with n certain red ore there was on the
property he had staked out 10 sell 10
others 20 convince hungry gold hunters
that he had struck II rich.
when therefore he gave out that ne
had several hundred acres and couldn't
work more than one acre himset every
body clamored 10 buy a small slice OF
his surplus. IL required lot OF per.
suadlng 10 induce him TO sell. ana
avery time he sold lot he seemed 10
he heartbroken. There goes Tor
tun'" he would say. 'Just because
haven't the funds TO get It out o the
ground"
Nevertheless Jim was always per-
auaded, and II the would be purchaser
hadn't the cash 10 buy with he would
inst AZ n fayor-take anything he could
ret. He sold one man who was down
ON his luck lot fifty feet by tfty for
A revolver. This transaction was taik-
I'd about, and any man who had 9
horse. a watch or an old hddie wouio
no m Jim Pike and buy bit OF ground
with It.
But none Of these investors got any
OoId ont of their lots. First there was
grumbling; then there was curslng' ana
at last there was a putting together OF
heads. and the opinion was promulgat-
cd that Pike had swindled the pur-
cbasers, 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 ND a disposition to prevent PIKE
from getting away from the place Win
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 II is easier to swindle a commu-
nifty than an individual. That's the
plan" he said, ION which promoters
work. II Tom is satisfied that GER
tain scheme is 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
nv one swindle made a nucleus for
another, he bethought himself wnat
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
was. What he desired was to get away
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 ne
had no use. He had decided to lump
them and rafie them. He thought
there were $1,000 worth Of them. but
he would call It $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 val
liable articles than himself and that
the collection would be fine thing to
have. took shares. In this way 300
ahares were sold to the most gullibIe
of the population. Pike not only tool
the remaining 200 shares himself, but
pledged himself If he won to put the
| names Of those holding shares In hal
and let little child, blindfolded. draw
name. To the person whose name
wHs dra wn he would turn over the ar
ticles raffled for.
This seemed SO fair, 80 generous
that it caused quite a revulsion II
Pixies favor. Those who had sneere'
at him did not do 80 any more 10
fear of exciting hostility against them
selves. Indeed. there were Severa
fights between scoffers and sharehold
ers in the lottery.
While the shares were being sui
scribed for the articles to be raftle
were exhibited. In Pixies yard wer
two horses, both blind. cow. thre
dogs and a goat In his living TOOL
. were fishing rods. musical instrument
; several articles Of furniture, some rus
= much worn-and small articles
. every description down to jewsharp
When the collection had been e.
|. hibited long enough to give every OF
d a sight, though too short to enable al
i one to Judge Of its worthlessness'
d was announced that the drawing wou
il take place the next evening at 7O'cloc
l. A little girl six years old was bin
q folded. . plug hat with 800 names
r- it-2OO being Pike's-was placed
fore her, she put in her hand and ore
/ -. oa Inunna PIKE