had lost everything in the Civil War. They came to the gold fields in search of a new start. The influence of these southerners is evident in the names of gold fields; Atlanta, Jeff Davis, and the Southern Confederacy. Also participating in the early mining camps were the Chinese. In stories the characters were always full of grit, courage, warmth, and perseverance. One of the more colorful characters who exemplified these qualities was “Pegleg” Annie Morrow of Atlanta. One winter day while walking with a friend, Dutch Em, across Bald Mountain Summit, a fierce blizzard blew up. Three days passed before a search party found the pair. Dutch Em was dead and Annie was half frozen and incoherent. A back country doctor amputated her frozen feet at the ankles with a jack knife and meat saw, using a few slugs of whiskey for anesthesia. With an indomitable spirit, Pegleg Annie lived for many years afterwards. She gained further fame as a pistol packing restaurateur, boarding house keeper, mother of five and friend to all.
