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Show v t - ' t f ft f VOL. IV. AMERICAN PORK, UTAH, SATURDAY, AUGUST 14. MISSED A FORTUNE. VEN the wild rush to California In '49 equalled hardly that to Caribou ten yeara later. Surely there never has been such a frenzied scramble for gold as that which filled the harbor of Victoria, Vancouver Island, with a navy of antiquated, leaky craft, laden to the scuppers with a horde of dauntless adventurers, burning to reach the precious places of the Upper Fraser. These upper regions are wild enough even today; forty years ago they were in the heart of an untrodden wilderness. Civilisation had not penetrated further than the guns of the British cruisers could reach; even the log forts of the Hudson Bay Company were not to be found in the remoter parts of that region, so aptly described years afterwards oy Lord Dufferln as A Sea of Mountains.' Gold was known to exist; inland tribes bartered it with others nearer the coast for powder and lead, or blankets, and It eventually made Its way to Victoria; but where it was found, or la what quantities, no white man knew, unless Indeed It was the head factors of the company, and It was part of their duty to withhold all such matters from the world, that they might keep the great northwest a breeding ground for the fur bearing animals for all time. But one day a certain Jim Barker found his way up stream, dug gold dust from the bars by the spade full, and then a dozen Hudson Bay Companies could not have kept back the adventurers. The rush had begun. There were no woods, or even trails, save those made by the grizzly and the blacktall; the Frazer and Thompson were cruel streams Ice cold and full of terrible rapids and eddies. But when did danger deter the gold seeker? The army of ls pressed on until Caribou and Its rloh placers had been reached. Hundreds died on the way; disease and privation played sad havoc with the survivors; but the rewards were In a few cases beyond the dreams of avarice, and the dogged fellows continued to work like heroes all through the short northern summer with rocker and long Tom, ravishing the rich bars of the wealth they had accumulated during the lapse of aeons. Wages were $25 a day, paid in gold dust It was bsrely a living pittance. Everything had to be carried over 400 miles of rough trail on men's shoulders, as the country produced nothing, after the Came had been driven away, except red-shirte- d, big-boot- ed dare-devi- lumbia river, and sailing down Its broad bosom eventually found their way back to Oregon. They wintered near the Arrow lakes, and with indomitable resolution continued prospecting during the succeeding summer. Traces of their operations are occasionally found, but though they were in a country far richer than Caribou, they knew it not Placers there were none, and the m steries of true fissure veins and smelting ores were beyond their ken. They required gold in its native they could wash out with pan and rocker and exchange for necessaries without further trouble. It was not there, so they passed on. Yet there were superior men among them. One pioneer at least must have found rich float on Red Mountain, on the very site of what is now the Le Rol mine, and evidently followed it up to the outcrop of gossan, or iron-ha- t, that lay exposed for hundreds of feet. In a way, as If he doubted the wisdom of vesting precious energy on a quartz lead, he drove a shallow trial shaft, but after going down a few feet became discouraged and moved away back to the dance halls and rum of the coast; probably his bones now bleach on some alkali desert, far to the south of the futile shaft he sunk on Red Mountain. Yet a few more shots, and he would have reached ore that would have placed all that wealth can buy within his reaeh. For more than a generation Red Mountain lay undisturbed. Wild animals alone wandered over the lofty mass of dlorite. The grizzly and mountain lion owned It by turns; blacktall skulked in the forests at Its base; big horn skipped over its crest; the white goat of the north chewed the seanty lichens on Its scarred, sides. But the treasure that lay In its bowels rested secure under the protecting iron-ha- t. Yet through all those long years a man was growing up in the distant east who had been selected by fate as the inheritor of the treasure hidden in the great Red Mountain. Born In Suffolk county. New Tork state.E. S. Topping was by turns sailor, miner, hunter, prospector, Indian lighter, and scout Topping sawyrestern life in all Its aspects, until finally he drifted to West Kootenay. Soon, although an alien, he found himself recorder and constable la fact, the government of that lonely region. Prospectors were then beginning to stray Into southern British Columbia from Idaho and Montana, and such human driftwood formed the bulk of Toppings subjects. They were a little rough, of course, but bad men were scarce, and the few that did wander Into West Kootenay invariably showed the most profound respect for the old Indian fighter, and took the first opportunity to remove themselves from his jurisdiction. It is a leaven of just such men as be that made life possible In the mining reglous of the west; without them rapine and murder would have stalked unchecked from the Missouri to the coast. Topping bad now found a quiet anchorage after his adveuturoua youth, and seemed likely to pass his later days as many other mountain men had done, in an uneventful fashion. When a man is fond of the wilderness and finds himself beside waters teeming with fish, and prairies alive with fowl, and where vension may be had for the pressing of a trigger, he Is likely to be too tp make any very trenuous efforts to change his lot. But that was six years ago. Read, and let me tell you how Topping fares today. One evening In the fall of 1890 he was startled by a violent rapping on the split cedar door of his cabin. He lifted the latch and Joe Rourgols and his pard Morris stumbled Into the little shanty, and dumped the bags of ore samples they had been laden with cn the rough floor. Dead beat and half frozen, they were yet full of enthusiasm over a wonderful body of sulphide ere which their trial shoots had disclosed at the bottom of an old trial 6haft high on the flanks of Red Mountain. They had staked out live claims, they said, and would give one to Topping If he would pay the recorder's fees on the lot. This he agreed to do. and In due course became the owner of what seemed the poorest prospect. It Is now the famous Le Rol mine. One of the locations Is the War Eagle, and another the Center Star, each a valuable property, hut Inferior to the Le Rol. From that day Trail Creek, Toppings abode, began to be famous. Events move fast In the west. Topping was almost alone at Trail In 1890; today there an hotels, stores, a smelter, a railroad station, and steamboat wharfs, while perched on the shoulder of the mountain near the Le Rol has sprung up the bustling town of Ross- . purity-so- mething half-hearte- d eon-tent- ed DEAD BEAT AND HALF FROZEN, gold dust but of that there was great store. Potatoes cost $60 a bushel, flour $10 a pound; a pair of gum boots sold for $30; drinks sere paid for in pinches, of the precious dust and some of the barkeepers had thumbs broader than ever miller possessed. A few men made fortunes, many managed to pay expenses, but the majority went dead broke. Then the awful winter was upon them. The mercury disappeared in the bulb; the river froze almost to the bottom in the still reaches; deep snow covered the land, and burled the shanties and tents of the pioneers. Men sickened and died like sheep with a murrain. One historian met 4,000 miners returning on the Bakerllcld trail, destitute, barefooted, and despairing. When the ice thawed In the spring the canyon of the Frazer was a charnel-housstrewn with the bodies of the gold seekers who had met their fate la its waters. A few cf the most hardy struggled through to the great bend of the Co e, red-shlrt- ed Isnd, numbering already 10,000, and Increasing in population at the rate of 5,000. a year. Topping of course sold out long ago. He need worry himself no more about ways and means, but can buy all the Winchesters, boats, and pack animals he may desire, and still have an ample income left and what more can a frontiersman and old Indian fighter ask? The veteran is a great favorite with his tollow citizens. And the nameless wanderer who sunk the shallow pit in the Iron hat back in the fifties? What grudge had the blind goddess against him? A shot or two more and he might have been rich and famouf But the big air compressors do not pant and groan in bi servlca; a tbourand feet below the sunlight men are tolling, but not for him; the dump sparkles with fifty dollar ore, but the proceeds will not be credited to his account. What Is writ Is writ, and In the Book of Destiny there is no turning back to correct errors but if the bare, bleached bones on the alkali desert could again be clothed with flesh and revisit Red Mountain, they would weep to see how near the pioneer of '59 came to finding his El NO. :i7. 1897. ANCIENT IDOL FOUND. DISCOVERIES RECENTLY MADE IN KENTUCKY, A Twelve Inch Statue A Little Affelr Bearing Cl use Keeeniblanre to the Idols of tbo Keel Not feed by tbe Indiana-N our last week's llue, says the Columbus (Ky.) referred to a discovery that had recently been made of some human bones, pottery an and image, which has the appearance of an ancient heathen idol, a few miles above the city on the Missouri side of the river, and we stated that we would give a fuller and more detailed account of the same ia this Issue. On Thursday evening last, accompanied by Dr. J. W. Manlre and W. M. Griffith, we were rowed to the place where the prehistoric remains were WHEN GRANT WAS COURTING said to have been found. About three and a quarter or four miles above BelNarrow Kira pa of the ' Lady Wlioa mont, at what is known as the Hudson Ho Afterward Marriott. we disembarked, and In a very place, While uen. Grant, then a lieutenaw few minutes we discovered scattered was courting the lady whom he mar around on the surface of the earth and ried there occurred an event to which embedded In he never reverted without a shudder A writer in the Midland Monthly, describing an adventure which the youni lieutenant and Miss Dent met with says: When the water is high in lh Mississippi the swift rurrent abrade! the banks and they frequently cavi in "for several yards or rods at a tima In early spring, in one of their after-ronexplorations, Lieut. Grant and the young lady were riding along the bank of the river, passing from on cove or valley to the mouth of another. Miss Dent was nearest tbs water. The land was but a few feet above the surface of the turbulent stream. Suddenly Miss Dent's horse began to sink. The earth had given way under his hind feet Grant's horse was hors. In an iustsnt ne saw that het horse was sinking into an awful abysa Grants cool head and splendid horsemanship here had opportunity to display themselves. Quick as a flash he leaned over, threw his right arm around Miss Dents waist and drew her to him as her horse disappeared in the srethlng and murky eddy that a later boiled and surged In angry tumult over the place where bank and horse had vanished from sight. Fortunately the earth parted between the two animals, leaving Grant's horse on solid ground Lifting and firmly holding Miss Dent and applying the spur to his own horse, he was on safe ground in a moment. Then he gently lowered her to the earth all this without a word from (lie silent man or a scream or murmur from her. As he hastened bark to rescue her horse she stood holding the bridle of his. outwardly as composed as if nothing hid happened. Her horse had disappeared. Grant followed down stream anl hailed a boatman in a skiff who found the horse swimming several hundred yards below amid driftwood and debris. He landed the animal at a plnre where it could climb the bank, and it was coon on safe ground, none tbe worse for the fright and the bath. n close-besid- e mo-me-at the ground quite a partly number of bones.whIch were easily recognized as human remains. The bones of the leg, from the knee joint to the ankle, the ribs and portions of skulls were found without difficulty. We were shown pottery that had been found a few days before, in the shape of Jars with narrow necks. The most Interesting discovery, however, was the Idol, which was perhaps twelve Inches in height. The left hand rested on the left breast, while the right hand rested on the right leg Just above the knee. The body rested upon the knees and lower limbs. It bore an exact resemblance to the pictures and representations we have seen of the gods of stone and wood worshiped by the uncivilized tribes of the cast. The head Is rather pointed at the top, and the face indicates from its expression a lower order of intelligence. There was an opening at the back of the head, which showed the idol to be hollow. It Is of a material apparently as hard as iron, and is heavy, but not so heavy as Iron. The bones we saw were many of them a reddish brown color. Some were very large. This, we suppose, would indicate that the bones were those of Indians. The idol, however. Is proof that it is not the burial place of the American Indian, for our inwere never formation Is that they known to worship idols-- . From the short examination we made of this spot we are satisfied that there Is at the place named a rich field for the Investigation of the archaelogist, and, if proper explorations were made, some Interesting diseoverles would reward the efforts made. tVfast Msrjr tld. CRIME AMONG WOMEN. sad Administrative font at the Prison of Ajlnbirj, Is crime decreasing among women? A day spent by special order from ths home secretary In the female convict prison at Aylesbury would lead one at first emphatically to answer In the affirmative, for within its walla is contained the whole of the feminine criminal population of England and Wales, undergoing sentences of penal servitude of three years or over that term. The entire number was on the date that 1 was there 199, a total now seldom exceeded by more than fire or six, says a writer In the Ixmdon Telegraph. Statistics unfortunately are less reassuring, though the reformatory and Industrial schools act, tbe summary Jurisdiction act and the shortening of sentences have relieved the convict prisons of a considerable proportion of those who would otherwise have been Inmates, while the last committee on prisons forcibly pointed out that a diminution of persona nndcr detention could not for. many reasons be taken as conclusive Indication of a corresponding decrease in crime. Women's offenses, with a few exceptions, belong to the less heroic orders of crime, and passing base money, theft, assault and even cruelty to children are dealt with In the humane spirit which has prompted the lightest punishment consistent with justice. Hence penal servitude is comparatively seldom meted out to the sex. Woking was vacated as a female convict establishment last November, when Its Inmates were transferred to their present quarters at Aylesbury. Originally the buildings were used as the county jail, but Buckinghamshire Is now In the creditable position of requiring far less prison accommodation than they offered, and It was found that they could well be converted to a penal establishment for women. The edifice stands on an elevation outside the little town and its exterior aspect, save for its heavy, doors, hardly suggests Its Internal character. One Is courteously asked to wait a minuCh or two within its massive, doubly locked portals while the credentials wlih which one is furnished are taken In and laid before Dr, George Walker, who enjoys a unique position In the prison administration of the united kingdom, inasmuch as he is both governor and superintending medical officer. These being satisfactory, I am ushered into the governors office, where Dr. Walker quickly enumerates a few facts and figures as to the establishment. Next In authority to himself Is Miss Colllngwood, a lady who ranks as deputy governor and who has had many years of experience with female criminals. The position of lady scripture reader Is an official one, and this Miss Coliingwood held before her appointment to the higher responsibility at Woking. Therp la a chief matron, six principal matrons and several under matrons, numbering In all, with four school mistresses, a staff of women. Some thirty-tw- o stalwart and well set up men, who have served in the army, act as gatekeepers and in nominal outdoor posts, for long experience has proved that if a woman prisoner becomes exceedingly violent or refractory it is an absolute necessity to have male assistance at hand. Speaking generally, however, the convicts are most amenable, and scarcely ever give any trouble; but if one does fairly break out the mere appearance of the two men standing behind the matrons Is the quickest and most effectual way of restoring order and quiet. As times go and the keen competition for all posts open to women. a prison matron the term wardis not used is comfortably ress placed. Her salary starts at 60 a year and she ts provided with a room, firing, light and uniform, this last consisting of a black dress, a neat bonnet and a Jacket. Many are the long dark-blu- e daughters nr sisters of warders in other prisons, and, of course, the fullest Inquiries are made and the utmost care is exerrlBed in selection and ed iron-studd- ed half-doz- en If any one should call this afternoon, Mary, say that I am not well, said a mistress to her newly engaged servant. "I'm afraid 1 ate a little too much of that rich pudding for lunrh and it, or something else, has brought on a severe headache. 1 am going to lie down." A few momenta later the ('ullfornla Oitrlrh Pinnies. mistress, from her room near the head The Los Angeles papers say that In of the stairB heard Mary say to two the month of April tbe heaviest con- aristocratic women who called for the is at Yea'm, Mrs. TL signment of ostrich plumes ever ship- first time: ped from California was sent to Paris. home, but she ate so much pudding The Industry Is no longer an experi- for lunch Bhe had to go to bed. ment In the long Pacific state. Already the business has an Investment of $200,000, wnich is likely to be augA llrltUh Ktnmpeda. mented by a third during the coming Mrs. Bradley Martin looked up from season. The salee of plumage this year the hamper of visiting cards that from tbe ostrich farms at Fallbrook, the huge had Just brought up. Vic. footman Anaheim, Pasadena; Po- tcrla COranado, she mused. What an Regina. mona and Santa Monica foot up to odd name'. Where have I heard it beThe percentage of profit on fore? The card has a $190,000. creBt, though, the amount invested is large enough to and I may look her up some time. make the business profitable. She turned again to her task with the ITIii) So Ilrave a lo Follow? that she wished people remark Do you know, I had the most In Flo Kurkina MS Japan. wouldn't be in such Indecorous haste to unpleasant sort of an adventure today. When a dug barks at nights In Ja- meet her. New York Press. tnashe followed me fbr A would-b- e pan the owner is arreBted and senwasn't a policeman and there for a blocks, tbe work tenced to year neigh(Irnunili for 1)1 vorre. in sight to appeal to. anywhere bors who were disturbed. The dog is Mr. Honeymoon My wife has comGladys Dear me! IIow did you eskilled. Perhaps this accounts for the to use Indian clubs. Mr. Long-we- d cape from him? Flo -- I went into the menced a when howlB that at dog superstition Well. if my wife used anything first dry goods store where there was night a death will shortly occur. heavier than a rolling pin or brooma bargain sale going on. for at- stick I'd get a divorce blamed quick! Clover and hay Instrnrtlon. tachment to mowing machines have a Kona and Musrla Flexibility. series of metal strips back of tbe Bridget The door bell doesnt ring, The bones and muscles of the human mum. Mistress Have the man fix It on the machine with a pocket In the last one to hold the seed as It body are capable of 1,2J different at once. Iiy the way, Bridget, if any one does call, I'm not at home. Is shaken from the heads of the grass. movements. Tit-Bit- s. seed-catche- rs cut-terb- ar |