Lynch Law—A Story of the Lead Mines

In the year 183—, a small stern-wheel steamer left the broad track of the Mississippi which it had been plowing all the way from St. Louis, and entered the Bevre River, to pick its way up the tortuous windings of that stream, finally running its prow into the mud at the Galena landing.

On board were the usual complement of officers and men, together with eight or ten strangers from below, who were going to the lead mines. They were already engaged, with one exception, a young man of about twenty five years of age, whose name upon the boat’s register appeared as Richard Smalley.

He was evidently unused to work, yet he had but little money, so could not possibly be a speculator; and he was very reticent regarding his business. The facts were, he was a gambler, who had conceived the idea of going to the lead mines for the purpose of replenishing his exhausted exchequer from the hard earned wages of the miners.

He received no welcome from the crowd who had been waiting for half an hour for the boat to come; but he did not notice that. He took his carpet-bag in hand and went ashore with the rest, with whom he had become acquainted and who introduced him to the boss”, as a man who desired a job. The question of wages was soon settled, and he in company with the rest, started for the “diggings.”

Soon he exhibited an… Read More