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Show THE LEGEND OF FAIRPLAY. 173 track of him by the cracking of the grass and dry branches under his feet. " Finding it impossible to escape them, he made a wide circuit and entered his cabin, where they found him in bed, covered up head and heels. They dragged him out, took the gold dust, and, in the presence of the arbitrators, weighed it and gave each man his portion. Hill refused to receive his, but they held him, and while he struggled in resistance, they put the money in his pocket. " James Reynolds, who afterwards became a notorious guerrilla, stood by, with his hands in his pockets, quietly watching the transaction. When finished, he exclaimed: ' Thar, b'gad, if one is the devil and t'other Tom Payne they shall have '.Far play!' " Shortly after this a committee was appointed to draft rules for the district and give it a name. Captain Charles Nichols, John Reed and Sydenham Mills were the committee. After drafting the rules, it was agreed that Mr. Mills, being the oldest miner, should give the name. He having taken an active part in the incident above narrated, and with his mind strongly imbued with the idea that everyone in that camp must have justice, named the town 'Fairplay.'" " Yes," said Mr. Stansell, " that is how the name was given, and hearing it related brings to mind a romance that occurred there a year later, which I will tell you. It is now called THE LEGEND OF FAIRPLAY. " In the summer of 1860 a solitary man was industriously at work, sinking his ' prospect hole,' and trying to reach bed-rock, when suddenly there appeared at the top of his shaft a man, rifle in hand, who remarked, ' I have |
