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Show 172 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. placer diggings in the South Park, at or near what is now called Hamilton. These diggings were so rich that it was said one ordinary laborer could dig a pound of gold per day, and were named Tarry-all by the discoverers, who laid claim to all the valuable ground, or to use a frontier phrase, 'gobbled up' everything, so that later comers could not secure any mining ground without paying exorbitant prices for it. By reason of this the place was called 'Grab-all' by those who failed to get a show in the diggings. " The disappointed fortune-seekers subsequently pushed further on along the middle branch of the Platte and there made other valuable discoveries. Among the number were four men from Central, then called Gregory, who, having heard the fabulous stories then in circulation respecting the new mines, clubbed together, and loaded a mule, that belonged to one of the men, with all their earthly possessions, and started for the new mining camp. " They had stopped at the above mentioned camp and panned out considerable gold, making one of the men, by the name of Hill, banker. Their provision gave out and Hill refused to let them have money to buy more, which immediately aroused their suspicions. "One of the party, a man named Tom Payne, laid their complaint before Reed, Mills & Co., who had a provision store. They called the miners together to arbitrate on the subject, and after patiently hearing the evidence, it was decided that Mr. Hill must weigh the gold and give every man an equal share. While they were talking around the camp-fire Hill plunged out of the cabin into the dark, and the miners started in quick pursuit, keeping |
