THE
ARGONAUTS OF CALIFORNIA.
Page 274.
CHAPTER XIX.
TENNESSES’S LETTER FROM TEX--THE WAR IN CHILI GULCH--SAM BROWN AND THE
CHAP WITH THE MILD BLUE EYES--SAM BROWN AND THE POLICEMAN--OLD KENTUCK AND
SLEEPY BEN.
ANOTHER little incident took
place on board of the steam ship “Illinois,” that is worth relating, continued
Tennessee “because Tex bossed the job. When we first went down to the dinner
table in the steerage, we found that there wasn’t any sugar on the table for
our coffee; Tex thought that very strange, and turning around to the ship’s
steward, who was standing in the door of the pantry, inquired of him if there
was any sugar on board? ‘Oh, yes sah’!’ replied the colored steward, ‘there’s
two barrels of white sugar here in the pantry sah; but dem is fo’ the cabin
sah.’ ‘Well’ says Tex; ‘we must have some of that sugar here in the steerage,
for we all paid the price of our passage, and are just as much entitled to the
use of that sugar as the cabin passengers are, and if you don’t bring it out in
two minutes we will go and help ourselves.’”
So the steward immediately locked the
pantry door, and sent word to the officers of the ship that there was mutiny
among the passengers of the steerage. In a few moments Lieut. Smith with a
guard of six marines armed with cutlasses descended into the steerage and
demanded to know what the trouble was. Tex replied that there was no sugar upon
the table, and as there was plenty of it in the pantry reserved for the cabin,
the boys had concluded that they were as good as the cabin passengers, and
therefore demanded some sugar. And without meaning to show any disrespect to
the officers of the ship, sir, yet we must have some of that sugar, and we’ll give
the steward five minutes to bring it. If he doesn’t, then we shall be obliged
to get it ourselves. The officer then ordered the guard to arrest that man,
which they started to do, but as they advanced toward Tex with drawn cutlasses,
a hundred of the old
Page 275 Illustration.
Page 276.
Forty-niners surrounded Tex,
and gave the officers to understand that it wouldn’t be safe to attempt the
job. Captain Herndon was immediately summoned and drawing his sword demanded of
Tex in a very threatening manner if it was his desire to raise a mutiny, oh,
no, not by any means Captain, for we are not that style of men at all. We are a
lot of Forty-niners on the way to the East to visit the old folks and to see
our girls, and have no desire to raise a mutiny, but we are simply trying to
raise some sugar.
Captain Herndon took a good square look at
Tex right in the eye, for about a minute; then he ordered the guard to go upon
deck, sheathed his sword, and walking round to the other side of the table
where Tex was standing, laid his hand upon his shoulder, and with good nature
beaming from his eyes said:
“Then all you are trying to raise is a
little sugar is it, sir?”
“That’s all, Captain, said Tex in a very
quiet and polite way.”
“Well, remarked the Captain and you shall
have it. Steward divide that sugar with the boys in the steerage,” and then
shaking hands with Tex and a few others, he went upon deck.
Some one asked if Tex was yet alive and
where he was; and Tennessee replied that Tex returned to his native State about
twenty years ago; brought a ranch somewhere in the northern part of the State;
went and got married, and settled down for life. He continued by saying that he
heard from Tex occasionally, and said he; “The last letter I received from him
was only a few months ago. I have the letter with me now, and if you would all
like to hear what Tex has to say, I will read it to you.” Upon all present expressing
a desire to hear the letter read, Tennessee took it from his pocket and read as
follows:
“California
Ranch, Jones Co., Texas,
“September 25th,
1887.}
“DEAR OLD PARD:--
“Returning home, after an absence of about
three weeks, from Galveston, where I had been with a drove of cattle, I found
your letter awaiting me, and you can imagine the pleasure we all enjoyed in
again hearing that you are in good health and still continue in the old
business of mining, with fair prospects ahead of you, and we sincerely hope
that your fullest expectations may be realized from your silver mine up in Coeur
D’Alene. My family are all in
Page 277.
the best of health and my two
oldest sons are now of that age to be of great assistance to me upon the ranch.
This, as you know, is quite a pleasant country in which to settle down for
life, and we are all reasonably contented. For this reason, I ought not to
complain. Yet this is not California, by any means. Although having a pleasant
home, yet I am continually thinking of the happy years I spent in California,
and with a desire to make that my future home, which I certainly would do if I
could dispose of my property here. You tell me that great changes have taken
place in some portions of the mining regions. That in many places our old piles
of tailings have been levelled down; the places where we mined filled up again
and planted with fruit trees and grape vines, and also that pleasant homes can
now be seen among the hills where formerly all was desolate and dreary, and
where in the opinion of all of us at that early day no reasons were known why
they should not so continue. You tell me in your letter that the old-timers are
fast disappearing, and that not more than 500 or 600 are at present living in
the mining region. This fact I am sorry to hear, although ‘tis what must be
from the nature of things expected. If circumstances are such that I shall not be
able to sell my property here and remove with my family to California, I shall,
at any rate, make you a visit, perhaps next winter; if not, then, the winter
following, for I tell you, Pard, there is no spot upon the face of the earth
more dear to me, except my home, or filled with such pleasant associations than
the mining regions of California, and a residence there of fifteen or twenty
years unfit’s a man for a residence in any other portion of the Union, or, in
fact, anywhere else. When I come we will get Yank and Jeff, if we can find
them, and start on a prospecting tour around among the old camps, where we
mined in early days. We will go to Mokelumne Hill, then over to Angel’s camp,
then up through Jackson in old Amador, and then we’ll strike onto our old trail
up past Duncan’s store and pan out a few pans on the MacCosmy (Cosumnes). Then,
if we have time, I would like very much to visit Chili Gulch, over in Calaveras
County, that historic spot, where you remember the Chileans captured the
Kentucky boys. Then we’ll strike on to the old trail up through Fiddletown,
where we’ll find, I think, a few old-timers; then along up through old
Hangtown, in Eldorado County, where you tell me that fifty or sixty old
Forty-niners are still hanging out. We’ll prospect around
Page 278.
up Cedar, Oregon and Spanish
Ravines, take a look over in the big cañon and at that rich
spot we struck at Poverty Point. We will lay in a fresh supply of provisions
from Coleman’s store, if he is yet in business in Hangtown, lay in a few mince
pies from Doctor Wakefield’s wife, under the hill, and continue our prospecting
across the South Fork, up through Coloma, Georgetown, Spanish Flat, up on
around Forest Hill and vicinity, where the boys used to roll the dust out by
the million. And if we have time, Pard, we’ll visit Nevada, Rough and Ready,
Squaw Hollow, Last Chance, and all other camps and river bars where we used to
prospect in early days. And I tell you that such a trip, for me, would give me
more pleasure than a journey through the Holy Land or any other portion of the
earth’s surface. Give my best respects to all old acquaintances that you run
across in your wanderings, and please tell them for me that from a residence of
about twenty years among the mountain ranges of California I acquired that
trait of hospitality which is peculiar to your State, and if any of them should
ever chance to visit this portion of the country, they will always find the
latch-string hanging outside the door. Don’t forget, either, what I have before
mentioned to you, that when the storms of adversity strike you too heavy, or if
the bed rock in the diggings is inclined to buck, and the claim don’t pan well,
we have an extra room prepared and ready; an extra chair at the table, also,
always ready for my old Pard which he is welcome to occupy the balance of his
life. My family join in sending their respects, and hoping to hear from you
soon again, I remain, as ever, Your old Pard, “Tex.”
Tennessee having finished reading the
letter, and after each one had given his opinion in relation to the kindness
and noble qualities of the writer of it, it was suggested that they all unite
in drinking to his health. The toast from old Mike upon the occasion being:
“An’ now, me by’s, here’s a long life,
hilth and prosperity to our ould comrade, Tex, an’ may the by’s who are now
afther drinkin’ to his hilth be able to mate together yearly for the balance ov
ther lives an’ repait the same operation, be jabers.”
Three cheers were then given for Tex,
while old Mike was not forgotten.
Tennessee was asked if he was acquainted
with the particulars of the incident that occurred in Chili Gulch referred to
Tex ?
Page 279.
He replied that he was, as he
got the whole account of it from Kentuck, who was present and took a part in
the affair:
“This Chili Gulch is a few miles from
Mokelumne Hill and empties into the Calaveras River. It was given this name
because ‘twas discovered by a company of Chileans numbering about thirty, and
they had worked there for several months, and were taking out gold by the
bushel. In the winter of ‘49-’50 a company of men composed of Texans and
Kentuckians, with a few from Arkansas and Missouri, numbering about sixteen in
all, camped near Chili Gulch, and finding that these foreigners were getting
more than their share of gold, concluded to drive them out and take possession
of these rich claims. They therefore posted notices in the gulch ordering the
foreigners to vacate within twenty-four hours or suffer the consequences. But
no attention was paid to the order for the reason that no law had been passed
by the Government to prevent them from mining in California. And from this fact
they inferred that they had as good a right to mine as any one. The miners,
finding that they did not intend to leave, drove them out by main force and
took possession, not only of their mining ground,
Page 280.
but also of their tools,
tents and even of some of their clothing. The Chileans went up to Mokelumne
Hill for assistance, but the officers of the law refused to assist them. The
sheriff did, however, in order to get rid of them, give them a blank warrant
with the privilege of filling it out and serving said warrant in any manner
they pleased. Armed with this authority they went early in the morning and took
the whole company of miners prisoners, but unfortunately one Missourian was
killed and another one badly wounded during the affray. They tied the hands of
their prisoners, and driving them along in the road ahead of them, started for
the town of Stockton, distant about eighty miles. Kentuck said ‘that they was
jist the maddest set of men you ever did see, for the idea of bein’ driv along
the road like a flock of geese by them d__d greasers, with their hands tied
behind their backs, was terrible.’
“And said he, if we could only have got
loose, we’d have killed the whole lot of ‘em.
“They told the greasers that they were
playing in the trump card with a full hand and to make the most of it, for said
they it’ll be our turn next; and it came sooner than either party expected.
They all stopped at O’Neil’s station, about twelve miles from Stockton, for
breakfast. Now it happened that there were quite a number of travellers and
teamsters who had stopped there the night before and when they saw them
greasers drive in the boys for breakfast, they were not long in getting
acquainted with the particulars, and whether right or wrong made no difference,
for they were Americans at any rate. So they charged upon them while they were
eating their breakfast and bound every one of ‘em. Now the scene had changed,
and the boys around Chili Gulch were astonished, a few days after, to see the
Americans boys driving the Chileans before them into camp, all tied in a
similar manner as the Americans had been. Kentuck said they give them a fair trial,
and sentenced four of them to be shot. Of course they didn’t know which ones
killed their pardner, but it made no difference, to shoot about four of’em
would fill the bill anyhow. And said he, the rest of ‘em left that part of the
country in a hurry.
“Well,’ said I to old Kentuck, ‘I suppose
that you and your company staid there and worked out Chili Gulch didn’t you?’
“Oh well, yas we didn’t,’ he replied.
Page 281.
“And I asked him why not, as
there was a good show after they had driven out the Chileans.
“’Oh yes,’ said he, ‘that was all right,
and you see we did start in to work, but found the climate so kind er sultry
round thar, that we all concluded to find a more salubrious clime further
north.’
“I asked him to explain what he meant; and
said he.
“’A few days after we started in to work,
some of the miners around thar had a sort of a miners’ meetin’ one day, and so
they come over into Chili Gulch and struck a paper up on a tree with some
writing on it for us to read, and so we did.’
“I asked Kentuck if he remembered what it
said.
“’Oh yas,’ says he, ‘I do, first rate, for
I’ve got an awful good memory. It said that if any of them fellers what driv
out, and shot them Chileans, was found mining over there in Chili Gulch, that
the miners round in them diggins would hang every derned one of em. Now wer’nt
that too sultry for comfort old pard, and wer’nt it time to hunt for a more
salubrious atmosphere?’”
Tennessee was asked if he was with Tex up
in Tuolumne in ‘56 or ‘57, at the time he had the trouble with Sam Brown.
“Oh yes,” he replied, “I was near there at
that time, but there wasn’t much trouble, anyhow. The way it was: you see some
one had told Brown that Tex made the remark, that it would be much better for
the country if Brown was out of it. This, of course, was enough for Brown, and
swearing vengeance he went on a hunt for the man Tex, and he found him. Now
Brown had heard of Tex, but never had seen him, for Tex was at work down in the
gulch and seldom went up into town; but one day he had some business up at
Mokelumne Hill, and Brown was informed of the fact and started out to find him.
Tex was pointed out to him, so Brown crossed the street, and stepping in front
of him demanded to know if he had made such a remark which he repeated, at the
same time placing his hand upon his weapon.
“Tex asked, ‘is this Sam Brown? At the
same time placing his hand upon his gun.
“The latter answered that such was his
name.
“’Well,’ says Tex, ‘I did make that remark
and meant it too, and am willing to make the same remark again to your face, if
‘tis any accommodation to you, and now what are you going to do about it?’
“Brown took a good square look at that
quiet, good natured blue
Page 282.
eye of Tex’s, removed his
hand from his weapon, and remarked as he turned to leave, ‘oh nothing’; some
one asked Brown why he didn’t go for Tex? ‘Oh!’ says he, ‘I don’t want to
quarrel with that man,’”
Brown was a noted desperado, a fine
looking man, with long curly hair of a sandy color; he was rather of a good
natured disposition when perfectly sober, but a demon when drinking.
It was said of him that he had killed in
the short space of ten years about a dozen men; but, somehow, he always got
clear by pleading self defence.
But his career ended in Carson Valley some
time in ‘63 if I am not mistaken, when Vansickles, with few others overtook,
him on the road with their shot guns, and without the formality of a trial
filled his body with buck shot.
Jersey remarked that there was a good
story told about Brown, the circumstances of which occurred in some mining camp
in the State of Navada. Brown had butchered a man in self defence, as he
usually claimed, but the authorities thought otherwise and determined to arrest
him; but where was the officer who was willing to take his chances, and make
the arrest. An ex-policeman in San Francisco who had monkeyed with that style
of man, as he supposed, learning of the situation, volunteered to make the
arrest, and was tendered the job.
Brown was informed of the fact, and
patiently watched for the coming man. Upon the arrival of the stage into town
containing the policeman, Brown was at his post waiting to tender him a cordial
reception, and as the former opened the stage door to alight, Brown ordered him
to remain right where he was, and enjoy a ride at his (Brown’s) expense, and
then ordered the driver to take him away out of town, which he did.
Another old-timer asked Tennessee if he
knew what had become of old Kentuck and his partner, Sleepy Ben? The former
answered that it was never known what had become of them. They were either
killed by the Indians or lost in the mountains some time in ‘54.
“You know that after they had worked out
that rich claim in the winter of ‘49-’50 in Georgetown cañon,
they went the next season up on Murderer’s Bar, on the Middle Fork, where they
did well. The following season they commenced work on the river,
Page 283 Illustration.
Page 284.
but luck was against them and
they were washed out for two seasons in succession. In ‘53 they went into the
mountains on a prospecting expedition, and returned in the fall with some of
the finest specimens, and the biggest, that you ever did see. They struck a
rich cañon
somewhere at the north, and we all tried to find out where it was, but it
wasn’t any use, and it never has been found yet. Well, they started in the
spring of ‘54 for their rich cañon, and that is the last that ever has been
heard of Kentuck and Sleepy Ben. It was very early in the spring when they
started, and the supposition was that they got lost in the snow, and were
frozen or starved to death.”
Transcribed by:
Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Proofread by Betty Vickroy.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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