DOCSLIB.ORG

The Free Press Vol. 39, Issue No. 6, 10-22-2007

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Free Press Vol. 39, Issue No. 6, 10-22-2007 University of Southern Maine USM Digital Commons Free Press, The, 1971- Student Newspapers 10-22-2007 The Free Press Vol. 39, Issue No. 6, 10-22-2007 Angelique Carson University of Southern Maine Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/free_press Recommended Citation Carson, Angelique, "The Free Press Vol. 39, Issue No. 6, 10-22-2007" (2007). Free Press, The, 1971-. 38. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/free_press/38 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspapers at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Free Press, The, 1971- by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WHAT YOU MISSED FIVE FLIGHTS LANDS ALL IN THE FAMILY page 3 AT USM page 12 page 18 STICKING IT TO THE COMPETITION PAGE 20 Volume 39, Issue 6 • October 22, 2007 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE An Iraqi woman fi ghts to A hole save lives in a lawless land worth ANGELIQUE CARSON fl ed for their lives, Mohammed $12.4M went back. EXECUTIVE EDITOR She now spends more than half of each year in a chaotic, war- Budget crisis means torn country where basic survival When the United States pen- isn’t guaranteed to any citizen, cut jobs and program etrated Baghdad with its fi rst anywhere, anytime. Mohamed is bombing campaign of The War on more than an every day citizen, changes at USM Terror on March 19, 2003, Yanar though. She’s a self- proclaimed Mohammed knew that her life as progressive, international activist ERIKA DIFFIN an architect was over. Something with a master’s degree in a reli- more important had come up. giously fundamentalist country. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Touting war slogans like, In other words, she’s a moving “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” and target. But she knows that. BRANDON BY PHOTO MCKENNEYSTAFF For the fourth consecutive year promising Iraq its liberation “If they want to come and get USM is facing a budget defi cit, from Saddam Hussein’s tyranni- pushing the university’s total fi scal us, they will come and get us,” Yanar Mohammed, who spoke at USM Oct. 11, runs shelters dedicated cal rule, President Bush ordered said Mohammed. “It’s not safe at shortage to approximately $12.4 to saving the lives of women targeted in honor killings. A problem million. bombs to reign down on Baghdad. all to do what we’re doing. But if which has increased signifi cantly since US occupation in 2003. Mohammed watched the scene’s we don’t do it, nobody will and While the fi nal numbers are not expected until November, the esti- live feed from her television set we’re going to turn into another gentle, though she spends most of “The violence against women mated shortfall for 2007 is project- in Toronto, where she’s lived Afghanistan under the Taliban. So her days confronting the horrors has been used as a tool of ven- ed to surpass $4.5 million. USM’s since 1995, horrifi ed. we fi nd ourselves playing a major of war, counseling women who’ve geance between the two kinds of contingency fund has covered the And then she did the unthink- role in resisting the Afghanization seen the worst of it through war militias,” she said. “Women of defi cit for the past few years, but able. of Iraq.” crimes unpunishible in a lawless this year the university will have While frightened citizens Mohammed, who spoke at land. See MOHAMMED to borrow money from the UMaine wealthy enough to fl ee Baghdad USM Oct. 11, is soft spoken and PAGE 14 System. Offi cials estimate fi ve to 10 years before the budget can be balanced and the loan payed back. USM’s budget woes can be Men’s soccer holds on for another win traced back to the start of the Maine community college system in 2003. Since then USM’s enroll- ment has decreased from 11,382 students in 2002 to the current fi gure of 9,851. Chief Financial Offi cer Dick Campbell said in an e-mail interview that tuition rates are signifi cantly lower at commu- nity colleges, providing a more attractive option to students. In- state tuition is $215 per credit hour at USM versus $96 at Southern Maine Community College. Campbell also said USM has not seen the anticipated infl ux of third- year transfers from community colleges because many graduates from those schools choose to enter the workforce after two years. This year’s tuition increases of 7.8 percent for undergraduates and 8.3 percent for graduate students were an attempt to balance the loss in revenue. However, USM has forged farther into debt and will undergo some drastic restructuring measures in the coming months. Interim president Joseph Wood STAFF PHOTOS BY BRANDON BY PHOTOS MCKENNEYSTAFF outlined steps toward correcting the problem in an e-mail interview. Eastern Connecticut tried to hold on in a close match in Gorham last Saturday, but Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia) and his Huskies remained steadfast, winning the game, and their place at the top of the Little East Conference, 3-2. For the full story, see page 20. See BUDGET PAGE 4 2 The Free Press | September 10, 2007 advertisement news The Free Press | October 22, 2007 3 What you missed during our break Dylan comes to Portland again ANGELIQUE CARSON Bobby jumped on the harmoni- ca for a couple of songs and send EXECUTIVE EDITOR a ripple of cheers and whistles through the room. Thank God he Bob Dylan fans that went to see did, because it was the only time him play Oct. 4 at the Cumberland I knew for sure that it was really Country Civic Center most likely Dylan. It certainly didn’t sound left disappointed. Though opening like him, and I didn’t have binocu- STAFF PHOTOS BY ANGELIQUE BY CARSON PHOTOS STAFF acts Amos Lee and Elvis Costello lars to see his face from the corner Tony Giampetruzzi, media director for Opportunity Maine shakes the hand of former governor John had the crowd animated and lively, pocket where I dwelled all night. McKernan. Governor John Baldacci and former governor Angus King also attended the commorative their efforts were diminished by a Dylan’s voice may have left event at Abromson Center on Oct. 1. Opportunity Maine takes effect Jan. 2008. dismal performance by Bob Dylan something to be desired, but his himself. band was great. Dressed in identi- While it’d be comforting to cal suits, they looked as polished blame the poor performance as they sounded. A couple of Opportunity Maine celebrates on the Civic Center’s medio- guitar solos during “Tangled up in cre acoustics, Lee and Costello blue,” were satisfying, as was an proved that the sound system was up-tempo version of “Don’t think its win, plans its future surprisingly suffi cient. Though twice, it’s alright.” Lee and Costello boast a stronger Maybe I’m being a little hard on talent in vocals than Dylan has Bob. Maybe he was just drunk and Three Maine governors speak at event, commemorate success ever claimed to, the two put Dylan sloppy that night. I guess he could to shame. have been on a bender when I saw It’s not that Dylan has ever been him last March, too. Opportunity Maine President Andy JOEL C. THERIAULT known for an impressive vocal While it was nice to see an icon Bossie, USM alumnus watches the range, but he’s at least been audi- in town and watch his band jam, it NEWS EDITOR ceremony Oct. 1. ble most of the time. When Dylan may be time for Bob to cut-down took the mic, the vibe in the room on touring and rest the pipes. The Opportunity Maine campaign- of ensuring they could fi nd the took a dive. way they’re sounding, they’re ers returned to USM on Oct. 1 to fi nancial resources necessary to Afterall, what’s the fun in hear- bound to burst sometime soon. At unveil the Opportunity Maine tax achieve their dreams. ing an icon perform your favorite age 66 and already touring again credit card, a form of identifi ca- “Over the last 10 years, 80 per- tune if the vocals are so terrible for the second time this year, it’s tion for recent college graduates cent of the jobs that have been you’re waiting for the musical got to be taxing. enrolled in the newly established created in this country have re- interlude to enjoy it? His voice I stayed throughout the entire program and a physical remind- Opportunity Maine could do for quired an associate’s degree or has reached its raspy, cigarette- show, desperately hoping that this er to sign up for the tax credit the state. higher,” he continued. “There is plagued pinnacle so extensively would be like the fi reworks, saving in January, when it becomes ef- “I’m very proud to have this a burgeoning skills gap in this that he made Tom Waits sounds the big pay-off until the end. fective by law. The organization signature effort and to be here country that’s going to affect our young and velvety. I left still waiting for said pay- brought three Maine governors with these two governors,” said standard of living if we don’t get ment. to the Abromson Community Baldacci, “because I couldn’t more people more education.” Education Center in Portland to think of a better group to say, ‘We help get the word out.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Robert Mckenzie, Ph.D
    Robert McKenzie, Ph.D. Department of Communication 300 Analomink Street East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, USA East Stroudsburg, PA, 18301, USA Office Phone: (570) 422-3886 Home Phone: 570-424-5051 Email: [email protected] Cell Phone: 570-242-9299 Current Positions Chairperson and Full Professor, Department of Communication (7 tenure-track faculty and 4 adjunct faculty; B.A. and M.A. degrees offered); Department Internship Coordinator; Graduate Coordinator; and University Advisor to WESS Radio, 90.3 FM (1000-watt broadcaster, webcaster, podcaster). Distinguished Professor Award 2012 Recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award (“The pre-eminent faculty rank bestowed by the University upon members of the university faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the academic life of East Stroudsburg University.”). Education Ph.D. (1987-90), Speech Communication, Penn State University; Areas of Study: Global Journalism and Mass Communication, Communication Technology; Rhetoric; Dissertation: "Understanding Information Needs and News Technologies of Pennsylvania Radio Stations: A Field Study." M.A. (1984-87), Speech Communication, Penn State University; Areas of Study: International Mass Communication; Thesis: "Comparing How Americans in Britain and Britons in the United States Access Media for 'Home Country' Information." B.A. (1980-84), Millersville University, Pennsylvania; Major: History; Minor: Business Administration. COURSES TAUGHT East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania CMST 111: Introduction to Communication (face
    [Show full text]
  • THE CLANTONS and MCLAURYS Like Many of Their Contemporaries, the Clantons Were a Missouri Family That Migrated to the West Following the American Civil War
    TOMBSTONE PERSONALITIES THE CLANTONS and MCLAURYS Like many of their contemporaries, the Clantons were a Missouri family that migrated to the west following the American Civil War. In the 1870s Newman “Old Man” Clanton and his sons Phineas (Finn), Ike and William (Billy), relocated to Arizona and started a cattle ranch. By 1877 they operated the largest and most successful cattle ranch in the territory. They also were the epicenter of a large, unruly group of semi-organized criminals known to history as The Cowboys. Although not as organized and close knit as western myth has portrayed them, the Cowboys were a force to be reckoned with. The Clanton’s ranch was their unofficial headquarters and at one point or another, many of the Cowboys worked for the family. While the Clantons were primarily occupied with cattle rustling, other members of the gang robbed stagecoaches, banks and stores. The gang committed many of their crimes across the border in Mexico and Mexican authorities registered many official complaints with the United States, usually to no avail. The two most famous members of the Clanton family are Ike and Billy. Both were involved in the Gunfight at the OK corral, the bloody culmination of events that ended the feud between them and the Earps. The tensions between the two factions were a combination of political, economic and philosophical differences. The Clantons saw the Earps as interlopers who were trying to build their political careers at the expense of them and their Cowboy friends. Ike Clanton has been branded by legend as a blowhard and coward and history backs this up.
    [Show full text]
  • Tombstone, Arizona Shippensburg University
    Trent Otis © 2011 Applied GIS with Dr. Drzyzga Tombstone, Arizona Shippensburg University Photo © dailyventure.com. Photographer unknown. Tombstone and the Old West The People Wyatt Earp Virgil and Morgan Earp Tombstone established itself as a boomtown after The tragedy that occurred at Tombstone, Arizona involved Wyatt has been most often Virgil and Morgan Earp are the silver was discovered in a local mine in 1877. It quickly characters who were as interesting as the time period. From characterized as a strict, no nonsense brothers of Wyatt. Virgil held various became a prospering community which attracted all lawmen turned silver prospectors, dentists turned gam- person who prefered to settle disputes law enforcement positions throughout walks of life. blers, outlaws and worse, these men all had their stakes in with words rather than confrontation. his life and was appointed as a Deputy the events at Tombstone. Following are short descriptions U.S Marshal before moving to of these men. Wyatt is arguably one of the most Tombstone. Later on, he was The American Old West has captured the minds and inuential individuals in the Old West. appointed as acting marshal for the imaginations of the American people since the West He encoutered some initial hardship in town after the current marshal was became more civilized in the late 1800s to early 1900s. his life when his rst wife died. accidentally slain by one of the Earp In the early 1880s, a specic event occurred that would Eventually, his sutuation improved and antagonists. capture the essence of the old west in one story.
    [Show full text]
  • CQ-TV 175 Contents
    CQ-TV 175 Contents Contents Contents.................................................................................................................1 Committee Contacts...............................................................................................2 Editorial .................................................................................................................4 Post and News........................................................................................................6 CAT’96................................................................................................................17 Rally 96................................................................................................................18 PYE Squared........................................................................................................21 GB3XT Kits & Bits. (Advert)..............................................................................28 Using Gunnmod2 with High Power Diodes ........................................................29 Remote Power Supplies........................................................................................31 Anchor Surplus Ltd. (Advert)..............................................................................33 NE592 vs EL2020 Video Op-Amp Group Test...................................................34 Digital Digest - Even More About MPEG 2........................................................38 In Retrospect ........................................................................................................45
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Eleven an Angel in Tombstone 1880 – 1881
    Baker/Toughnut Angel/11 1 Chapter Eleven An Angel in Tombstone 1880 – 1881 Tombstone, Arizona Territory, 1800s (Courtesy Tombstone Courthouse) Nellie stepped off the stage onto Allen Street’s dusty board sidewalk. She turned to catch her carpetbag when the stage driver lifted it down, but stumbled over the hem of her skirt into the path of a dark-haired man with a full mustache. The stranger grabbed Baker/Toughnut Angel/11 2 her waist. “Whoa. Welcome to Tombstone! Got your balance there, Ma’am?” Nellie pulled her traveling skirt out from under her button-down shoe and noticed the man wore a silver star on his blue shirt. He took her grip from the driver and set it on the sidewalk. “My name’s Virgil Earp.” Next to him two other men attempted not to laugh. Virgil smiled, and indicated the other two with his hand. “May I present my brother, Wyatt, and Doc Holliday?” Earp, not a common name. These must be the Earps who had served as lawmen in Dodge City. She’d read newspaper articles and one of T.J.’s dime novels about Wyatt Earp. Doc Holliday stopped stamping his black boots to remove the dust, bowed at the waist and swept his bowler hat from his head. He smelled of leather and, what was that? Sage? “Indeed, welcome to Tombstone, lovely lady.” He drawled in a bass voice from under another wide black mustache. That made Nellie think of how Papa had always joked that men with mustaches were trying to hide something -- their upper lips.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyright by Joseph Paul Moser 2008
    Copyright by Joseph Paul Moser 2008 The Dissertation Committee for Joseph Paul Moser certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Patriarchs, Pugilists, and Peacemakers: Interrogating Masculinity in Irish Film Committee: ____________________________ Elizabeth Butler Cullingford, Co-Supervisor ____________________________ Neville Hoad, Co-Supervisor ____________________________ Alan W. Friedman ____________________________ James N. Loehlin ____________________________ Charles Ramírez Berg Patriarchs, Pugilists, and Peacemakers: Interrogating Masculinity in Irish Film by Joseph Paul Moser, M.A. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin August 2008 For my wife, Jennifer, who has given me love, support, and the freedom to be myself Acknowledgments I owe many people a huge debt for helping me complete this dissertation. Neville Hoad gave me a crash course in critical theory on gender; James Loehlin offered great feedback on the overall structure of the study; and Alan Friedman’s meticulous editing improved my writing immeasurably. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to study with Charles Ramírez Berg, who is as great a teacher and person as he is a scholar. He played a crucial role in shaping the chapters on John Ford and my overall understanding of film narrative, representation, and genre. By the same token, I am fortunate to have worked with Elizabeth Cullingford, who has been a great mentor. Her humility, wit, and generosity, as well as her brilliance and tenacity, have been a continual source of inspiration.
    [Show full text]
  • Wyatt Earp and the Gunfight at the OK Corral 1881
    Other Forms of Conflict in the West – Wyatt Earp and the Gunfight at the OK Corral 1881 Lesson Objectives: Starter Questions: • To understand how the expansion of 1) Give definitions for the following the West caused other forms of terms/key people to show their tension between settlers, not just conflict between white Americans and relevance to this part of the course Plains Indians. • Pat Garrett: • To explain the significance of the • Vigilante Gunfight at the OK Corral in • Homesteader understanding other types of conflict. • Rancher • To assess the significance of Wyatt • Prospecting Earp and what his story tells us about • Rustling law and order. • Lincoln County As homesteaders, hunters, miners and cattle ranchers flooded onto the Plains, they not only came into conflict with the Plains Indians who already lived there, but also with each other. This was a time of robberies, range wars and Indian wars in the wide open spaces of the West. Gradually, the forces of law and order caught up with the lawbreakers, while the US army defeated the Plains Indians. Other Forms of Conflict in the West – Wyatt Earp and the Gunfight at the OK Corral 1881 Who was Wyatt Earp? What does Wikipedia say?! Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 – January 13, 1929) was an American frontiersman who appears frequently in a variety of well known stories of the American West, especially in notorious "Wild West" towns such as Dodge City, Kansas and Tombstone, Arizona. A hunter, businessman, gambler, and lawman, he worked in a wide variety of trades throughout his life.
    [Show full text]
  • 2014 Annual Report
    YAVAPI COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNUAL REPORT Sheriff Scott Mascher FULL SERVICE FOR 150 YEARS SINCE 1864 WORD FROM THE SHERIFF The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office mission is to enhance the quality of life by working cooperatively with the public to prevent crime, enforce the law, preserve the peace, and provide a safe environment through professional education programs aimed at promoting community involvement in various community services and crime prevention education. Currently the Sheriff’s Office has over 400 authorized positions. Of that number, 139 are certified officers assigned throughout the county and 210 are assigned to the Camp Verde Jail. The other positions are various support positions assigned throughout the county. The Sheriff’s Office also has over 1,000 volunteers at our disposal to assist use in our mission at any time. The Agency has three very distinct divisions that manage the specialty services offered by the Sheriff’s Office. The Detention Services Division manages both detention facilities, Camp Verde and Prescott. The Law Enforcement Services Division manages the field operations of certified officers throughout the county. The Support Services Division manages the entire agency’s records, both jail and law enforcement, along with countywide communications/dispatch services and the recruitment and training of personnel for the entire agency. The Sheriff’s Office has not published an Annual Report since 2003 and I believe it is a notable resource for the public so I decided to create one. I wanted to take a moment, thank everyone for their support of the Sheriff’s Office, and share some of the accomplishments this agency has achieved.
    [Show full text]
  • Fry-Sierra-Vista-FD-More.Pdf
    COVER INTRODUCTION Welcome to "Sirens, Whistles, and Badges...Oh My!" Tis booklet has been created in conjunction with our exhibit honoring the "Good Guys and Gals" of public safety past and present. Sit back and stroll through time to our community's humble beginnings from the county sheriff as the only law in the area to an answering machine housed in a small building and volunteer "firemen" in cowboy boots and jeans, to what has become a highly skilled high tech and professional public safety work force. We would like to acknowledge all those who helped in the creation of this project by researching and writing their department's history, offering images and newspaper articles, and those who brought the stories to life with the many wonderful objects on display. See back of booklet for a list of participants. Tis booklet and project is dedicated in memory of Tom Shupert, past president Sierra Vista Historical Society, museum volunteer, local historian, friend, mentor, and colleague. Nancy M. Krieski Copyright Henry F. hauser Museum Sierra Vista Historical Society, 2015 Edited by Nancy M. Krieski, Museum Curator Contents of this booklet may not be used without permission of the Henry F. Hauser Museum and Sierra Vista Historical Society, as well as permission from private individuals and/or organizations. Booklet design, Photo Correction, setup and formating by Mark Hanna, Henry F. Hauser Museum volunteer. Sierra Vista snow, 1978 Table of Contents Sheriffs Department 2 Fry Fire Department 13 Sierra Vista Fire Department 23 Sierra Vista Police Department 32 Ambulance 41 Page 1 Oh My! Sirens, Whistles, and Badges..
    [Show full text]
  • 2016-09 Gazette
    A Chronicle of the Plum Creek Shooting Society Agarita Ranch September 2016 Lockhart, Texas Doc Holiday his month, we move dental practice in Atlanta, Dallas, which at the time beyond Soiled Doves, Georgia. In 1873 he was was the end of the railroad. T“tossing fannies” and diagnosed with tuberculosis. Doc Holliday was an Big Nose Kate to learn about After consulting with a unusual man in the Old Kate’s long-time companion, West. He was well educated Doc Holliday. John Henry and refined. He was fluent Holliday was born in 1851 in Latin, played the piano and died in 1887 at the age well, was a snappy dresser of 36. Holliday was an Old and displayed the manners West dentist, gambler and of a Southern gentleman. gunfighter, who is usually He opened a dental office in remembered Dallas, but patients feared best for his going to see him because of friendship with his chronic cough. He Wyatt Earp and needed to find another way his to make a living. His smarts participation in made him a "natural” the Gunfight at gambler and gambling the O.K. Corral. quickly became his primary After graduation from the means of support. He was Pennsylvania College of Doc Holliday an active participant and a Dental Surgery at the age of dealer of both Faro and 20, “Doc” Holliday set up a poker. Because of his poor number of physicians and health, Doc was moody. He being told he had only a was also a heavy drinker short time to live , Holliday Ditties from Jake ………………….
    [Show full text]
  • OK CORRAL GIJIDC MAP the October 26
    OK CORRAL GIJIDC MAP The October 26. 1881. historic and controverisal shoot-out at the OK Corral resulted in the deaths of three men and the severe wounding of two others in thirty seconds of gunplay that still echoes among these silent buildings. The inevitable confrontation climaxed months of allegations, arrests, pistol whippings, threats and rumors. On one side were Ike and Billy Clanton, supposed rustlers and highwaymen, and Tom and Frank McLaury, hard-working ranchers; on the other side were Tombstone's Chief of Police. Virgil Earp, his brothers Morgan and Wyatt(a reputed Deputy U.S. Marshal), and their friend Doc Holliday. In the bloody encounter. Frank and Tom McLaury and Billy Clanton died, and Virgil and Morgan Earp were seriously wounded. For a detailed account of the fight, buy a copy of the 1881 Edition of the TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, on sale at the Corral, or Epitaph office. V h% — LEGEND 1 -Ticket Office and Waiting n-Horse and Mule Stall Room Entrance to Tombstone 12-Entrance to Site of Earp- Historama. Clanton Gunfight 2-Teamster5 Recreation Room, 13-Stalls containing 1879 hearse. 14-Crib 3-Bunkhouse for Caretaker. containing items from 18S0's. 15-Fly's Photo Studio 4-Jail False Fronts 16-Fly's Gallery and Rooming House 5-Doctor's Office 17-Gate to Fremont Street Wild Bunch 6-Saloon Shows and 18-Cowboy'5 Dance Hall 7-Bank filming movies 19-lke Clanton 8-Two-Story Building: 20-Billy Claiborne Down-Stairs: OK Corral Office 21-Tom McLaury Up-Stairs: Sleeping Quarters for Stage 22-Frank McLaury Drivers, Mule Skinners 23-Doc Holliday 9-Blacksmith shop 24-Wyatt Earp 25-Virgil Earp 10-Storage for Rigs and City of Tombstone Fire 26-Morgan Earp 'mmomim 4II1 lU' lUL Equipment 27-Billy Clanton X 28-Copyof 1881 Epitaph YOU ARE HERE .
    [Show full text]
  • Modern Times Glencoe / Mcgraw-Hill, 2008 Altho
    Settling the West, 1865 to 1890 Chapter 4a, Pages 154 to 179 The American Vision: Modern Times Glencoe / McGraw-Hill, 2008 Although the Civil War had inflicted massive casualties on the entire nation, and left the South’s infrastructure damaged, the nation as a whole experience growth during the second half of the 1800s. The fighting of the war had been mostly in the southeastern parts of the country. West of the Mississippi, and north of the Mason- Dixon Line, railroads, telegraph lines, and factories continued to expand. People settled new land and began to farm it. In the West, three opportunities attracted settlers: mining, ranching, and farming. The initial wave of gold mining, the California Gold Rush, lasted from 1848 to 1856, but more and bigger discoveries of lead, coal, iron, copper, and other minerals began in 1859, when silver ore was found in Nevada. In the 1870s, mining began in Colorado, South Dakota, and Montana. Boomtowns grew near mining discoveries. These cities expanded their populations in a single year from near zero to many thousands. The inhabitants of these town were mainly men between the ages of 17 and 40. There were few women, children, or older people. Because of this imbalance, crime and violence were common. Another problem was the slow growth of proper law enforcement: it took time to establish sheriffs and police. Until a city government could be established, volunteers formed ‘vigilance committees’ to keep the peace. Near the boomtown of Tombstone, Arizona, silver was discovered in 1877. The population quickly swelled to 14,000.
    [Show full text]