Changes

== The founding of the Gulch ==

== The founding of the Gulch ==

Midas Mulligan did not leave his bank penniless. He converted all his holdings into [[gold]] (still lawful for an individual to hold in those days) and bought a vast tract of land in a secluded valley in the [[Rocky Mountains]]. The floor of this valley was at an elevation of 8000 feet above sea level and was probably in a cup-like formation in either [[Colorado]] or [[Wyoming]]; the novel never makes clear where.

Midas Mulligan did not leave his bank penniless. He converted all his holdings into [[gold]] (still lawful for an individual to hold in those days) and bought a vast tract of land in a secluded valley in the [[Rocky Mountains]]. The floor of this valley was at an elevation of 8000 feet above sea level and was probably in a cup-like formation in either [[Colorado]] or [[Wyoming]]; the novel never makes clear where. He cut off all means of access to the valley except for one road, which he camouflaged. Then he built a small house and a large stockpile of seed, livestock, and other provisions. As he later explained, he wanted "never again to look in the face of a looter."

 

There he built a small house and a large stockpile of seed, livestock, and other provisions. As he later explained, he wanted "never again to look in the face of a looter."

Judge Narragansett then came to see Mulligan in his new home, and asked for a leasehold so that he could build a house of his own. Mulligan granted the lease. Shortly thereafter, Richard Halley came to Mulligan to ask for the same thing. (William Hastings lived out his life on the "outside" and later died.)

Judge Narragansett then came to see Mulligan in his new home, and asked for a leasehold so that he could build a house of his own. Mulligan granted the lease. Shortly thereafter, Richard Halley came to Mulligan to ask for the same thing. (William Hastings lived out his life on the "outside" and later died.)