El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-14
Chloride, NJ NJ, Once Great SiLDer Camp,
Center OfExcitement ODerD iscoOeryOfTin

forced to flee from the homestead,
taking what they could with them In
their hasty flight. the women loading
and drawing away their wagons and
goods while the men fought off their
red enemies They took refuge IN
the town OF Chloride, which was
heavily armed and fortified for an at
tack The next morning the troops
came and the canyon again resounded
with the roar OF battle, the Indians
being driven up the canyon and final
" over the range. but the James
family never again occupied the old
homestead except as a place from
which TO work their cattle. The de-
feat administered to the Indians BY
troops and volunteers was decisive,
and after that memorable fighting
the town became a center for miners,
prospectors. whisky and gamblers.
For several years the mines poured
out silver wealth, and Chloride was
crowded each night with men intent
upon spending money and having as
much OF a good time as they could
get with It. Saloons flourished, gam
blers grew rich and bad men and
their guns ruled with contempt for
the law and its distant Representa-
tives. Good citizens. and there we're
~ to their own business and kept
their hands on their guns
No Churches There.
No church ever made a successful
attempt 10 establish at Chloride. al
though many missionaries undertook
reformations - unsuccessfully. The
Wild men OF Chloride did not object
very seriously TO the preaching Of re-
l1glOn- however. but Just did not I'M
derstand the good men who were at
tempting their reformation Perhaps
IL was the other way around. and the
good men did not understand the
wild men, but the result was the
either Tho 10
cess was reached BY a minister OF
great determination who accepted an
offer 70 hold Sunday services in
saloon, with the bar covered for the
occasion he made a good impress
sion. and had a crowded house. but
made serious mistake in selecting
the man 10 pass his collection box.
n II was not a mistake to think OF a
collection under those circumstances.
IN looking s-round he was attracted
by the appearance OF a bold looking
citizen, who had been gravely atten-
tive during the sermon and particu-
larry prominent IN following the at
titude OF the minister in prayer. Even
afterwards the representative Of the
church Insisted that q man who
knelt in prayer, said amen in a firm
voice and was attentive 20 every word
Of the sermon should have been the
proper person 70 take a collection
for the service OF the Lord
Taking the Collection
The man picked for this important
duty happened to be one OF the best
tWo-gun men in that section az the
time, and there were many good ones
there but he had his enemies, and
some OF them were in the meeting
However, he readily undertook the
work OF passing the hat, and q was
OF record that i was one OF the larg-
est collections ever taken from
meeting OF that number OF persons.
BE narNnmaIIw Solicited nnrnrn an-e-f.
buttons from his enemies, and argued
with his guns one Of which he carried
in his hand.
His appeal for funds were more OF
less readily complied with. although
i afterwards developed that some of
the contributors failed TO develop the
right spirit in giving to the Lord.
From the chief enemJ the collector
loudly demanded gold, and in a 20
dollar gold piece, and as he had his
gun out and ready he got it,
Unfortunately for the minister OF
the gospel, the collector came to the
conclusion that he had entirely too
much money for a minister TO handle.
and religion was free anyway. so he
did the square thing and divided the
pot, as he called IL. taking with
ais share the 20-dollar gold piece con-
by his enemy and which he
used to start all the trouble which
Cd 20 the complete encouragement OF
the minister
Wanted Another Collection.
The other fellows proposed TO the
minister that ne hold services the
leXt sunday and let them take up
ne collection. To encourage the rev
srend visitor TO their plan, they un-
-olded to him their intention Of com
ng into town the next Saturday night
and rounding Up a bunch sinners
~ the point Of their guns. a e round
Up being staged carly enough 10 as
iure supply OF cash yet remaining
n the pockets OF the intended vic
inns They were willing 10 divide
With the man OF God. honestly. and
III they wanted him to do was to
reach little longer and deliver one +.
more prayer than he did at his first.
ermon, so as 70 make the contribu-
ions in proportion
The refusal OF the minister TO re-
main longer in their midst is said to
ave left much soreness and led up
o number Of unpleasant events.
( nich generally benefited no one but
he undertaken.
'er mines are again being opened
Is streets are becoming scenes Of re-
leWed activity and prospectors and
miners are filling the cabins Of the
ills, but just what kind Of come
lack" IL is going to be with no gun
men around and nothing TO work on
tronger than 2 percent, only time
viii tell
Any discovery Of tin in the United
tates Is worth looking into, and the
hen having locations in the tin coun-
ry' have convinced even the stoutly
EeDtical that thew have the Tin II