the place. Next morning Morgan took peaceable
possession of the hill, but when the squatters saw by
how small a force they had been ousted, bristling with
arms, and ranged in three concentric circles, they sur-
rounded the hill to the number of about one hundred
and fifty, and threatened the Morgan party with ex-
termination if they did not leave immediately. After
calm consultation, the besieged concluded to withdraw,
wisely preferring to trust their cause to a course of
moderation than to mar it by bloodshed. Posting
notices of warning to intruders, and leaving one of
their number to act as their agent, they withdrew.
The besiegers then ascended the hill and took posses-
sion ; the agent they seized, and declared him under
arrest.
This is one version of the story ; I have another. Hance and Finnegan owned a rich quartz claim, dis- covered in 1849, on Carson hill. Needing machinery, Fmnegan went east to purchase it, and was gone about two years. On his return, he learned to his astonish- ment that Hance had sold the claim to Morgan and Company, and had absconded with the proceeds. Finnegan's mind was troubled yet more when informed that the claim had yielded over a million of dollars. December of 1851 saw the Hill the centre of great commotion. Tearfully Finnegan besought the miners' aid; so they drove Morgan out, and placed him in possession. Morgan called upon the courts to save him, and the courts placed Morgan in possession. But what is law without popular support ? Finnegan called his friends, the miners, together ; the call was largely answered, for the country for miles around was .by this time deeply stirred. In fact, it was open war be- tween the people and the courts. At this meeting, the miners voted the judge's decision a fraud. They resolved that Morgan should leave the Hill, and then drove him away. It was now Morgan's turn to secure allies. Calling a meeting, which was likewise largely attended, he secured a host of adherents, who
