"DEAD MEN'S GULCH."

Temuka Leader, Issue 1182, 24 May 1884, Page 1

"DEAD MEN'S GULCH."

The following incident occurred during the early days of the Californian goldfields, and is characteristic ef the state of things that existed among the diggers at that time, A. miner had died in a mountain digging, and, as he was much respected, his acquaintances rnsolved to give him a "square funeral," instead of putting the body in the usual way in a roughly made hole, and saying by way if funeral service, "Thar goes another bully boy under !'' They sought the services of a miuer who bore the reputation of haviDg, at one time in his career, been " a powerful preacher in the Stater,." And then, Far Western fashion, they all knelt down, while the extemporised person delivered a prodigiously long prayer. The miners, tired of this unaccustomed opiate, to white away the time, began, digger fahion, fingering the earth which hud been taken from the grave. Gradually looks were .exchanged ; whimpering commenced and increased, until it berante loud enough to attract the attention of their parson. He opened his eyes and stared at the whispering miners. " What is it boys 1" Then, as suddenly hiß eyeß lighted on sparkling scales of he shouted, "Gold, by jingo ! and the richest kind o' diggiri'—the congregation is dismissed." Instantly, every man began to prospect the new digging, our clerical friend not being the least iictive of the number. The body had to be removed and buried elsewhere, but the memory of the incident long lived, from the name given to the locality, for " Dead Man's Gu'ch," became one of the richest goldfields in all California.—Household Words.