Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-03-20

to tell was John Kelsey Of Butte-a
westerner If ever there was one and
who. as a stagecoach driver. had fire.
quent dangerous but amusing expert
ences.
Fighting passengers in order to COL
lect fares was one of his frequent
pastimes. Being compelled to risk i'm
prisonment to keep from bankruptcy
was another Of his experiences in those
good old days"
John Kelsey was born west OF the
main range Of the Rockies in 1859
In Utah to be exact. Kelsey's father.
Eli B. Kelsey. one-time historian of
the Mormon church. and Brigham
Young were friends back in Kirkland,
O., in the days before Brigham be-
came the voice of God"
In those days Brigham Young was
accounted q very good carpenter and
house painter. BY 1885 Brigham had
progressed SO far in the new faith
that he was elected one of the "l2
apostles" but it was not until 1848
that his friend Kelsey cast his lot
with the Latter Day Saints and be-
came a member of the Salt Lake
colony.
In 1869 Brigham Young, as president
of the church. ordered number of
Mormons, among whom were the
Walker brothers, who owned the Alice
mine in VAUDEVILLE; Howell. leading
merchant Of Murray, Utah: the Nc
Cune brothers, contractors; Eli B. KEEL
sey and many others to go ON a
mission"
To go on a mission" in Mormon
parlance meant to drop everything and
fare forth without scrip or purse" to
preach Joseph Smiths gospel to the
Gentle.
OF the men whom Brigham Young
had selected for mission work in 1869.
Is rebelled. Included in this number
were those named above. Brigham
Young cut them off from the church.
When the sentence of eX-communi-
cation was pronounced against his
family, John Kelsey was then 10 years
old.
For nine years thereafter he was
compelled to fight his way.
The leader of the revolt against the
mission order was man named Colby
Those who joined hands with him were
called Godbyites Cursed Godbyite'
was an expression John Kelsey grew
accustomed to hear many times a week
for many years from the lips of Nor
mon lads of his own age and when
ever the opprobrious epithet was ut
tered it meant fight.
Little John paid dearly for his
fathers refusal to obey the head of
the church. but he learned a lesson
that stood him in good stead in the
rough and tumble days of the Mon
tana mining camps
In 1880 young John decided TO strike
out for himself He bought a dead-ax
wagon. put springs under the bolster,
and decided to go into the stage bust
ness.
Red Rock was the end of the line
into Montana. John headed for Red
Rock. His first passengers were Charles
Adams, big fat comedian, Adams
wife, and banjo player, Dick Poole.
Adams made a contract to pay KEEL
sey IS a day land found" for hauling
the troupe about the territory. They
played Sheridan as their first town.
The house was only $50 and Kelsey
didn't get paid
"Ill settle at Virginia City" said
Adams.
Had Fight at Bozeman
At Virginia City the house was $3.50.
Adams, vino had charge of the treas
ury. went out. got drunk and lost his
money playing faro. Kelsey didn't get
paid. When they reached Bozeman
Adams assured him the bill would be
settled. They played Bozeman two
nights. No money for Kelsey the first
night. On the second night there was
$3.50 in the house-and kelsey's bill
was S45
Mrs. Adams acted as ticket seller.
She was also performer. When she
was called to the stage for her turn
she always turned the treasury over
to Kelsey for safe keeping.
With a treasury of $3.50 a recollec-
ton of what had happened in Virginia
City before him, with the knowledge
that he was down to small change and
that Adams owed him S45, which he
might forget to pay. Kelsey decided
ON original collection methods.
He took S45 from the bank roll put
In a receipt reading received S45 in
full. and signed, John Kelsey" and
sat down and waited.
When Mrs. Adams came back from
the stage he gave her the purse and
told her what he had done.
you must give the money back to
me-" she exclaimed. Adams will kill
us BOTH"
Kelsey was obdurate. You owe me.
You have enough to pay me. I need
my money. I took it. I'm going to
keep it, was his answer.
Mrs. Adams fastened to the stage
and told her husband of Kelseys ac-
ton. Adams came storming without
waiting to remove his makeup.
you will return every cent of that
money or I'll break every bone in your
body" he shouted, hoarse with rage
you're much bigger man than
am" said the STRIPPING stage driver.
"and you ought to be able to make
me give it back. but unless you take
it away from me guess I'll keep it."
Adams charged him like mad bull
The lessons learned through the long
years in Utah when he was loathed
as a cursed Godbyite" stood Kelsey
in good stead. Adams was In his prime.
He was six inches taller and 40 pounds
heavier than the young stage driver.
EJittip0 him with h{S fist WOULD he