When warm weather came, and men and money were pouring in from California, those who had wintered in the several new towns of Washoe forgot all the troubles they had had and all the hardships they had passed through. They were on the alert to sell claims, and many did realize handsome little fortunes, as all the newcomers[newcomers], see next sentence on next page] were wild with excitement, and all were anxious to get hold of ground near the mines. Newcomers who had no money, prospected for new leads, or “jumped” the claims of parties who had made locations the previous fall. This made times lively, and numerous battles, with guns and pistols were the result.
GOING IN.
CHANGE OF MIND.
COMING BACK.
One day while a battle was raging at a claim on the hillside, near the town, a big long-legged fellow, with a knife and pistol slung to his belt, started up to where the fight was raging, on a dead run. Those who were watching the affair said: “Now, we shall see the fur fly, when that fellow gets on the ground!” When about half way up the hill, a pistol ball came along and took off a portion of his goatee. He never for an instant ceased to run, but as the ball cut through his goatee he spun round on his heel and the running he did after that was all in the other direction. From his start till his return, his gait was unbroken.
An honest Dutchman who, at great pains and expense, had built him a cabin in the northern part of the place, came into town one evening to make some purchases. When he went home he found his cabin jumped. To add insult to injury the jumpers were fiddling and dancing, had a lot of whisky, and were having a regular house-warming. The Dutchman had to go and raise an army of his friends before he could drive the intruders out. It was three or four days before he regained possession of his cabin. Such occurrences were not rare, and persons were often placed in very annoying situations.