ATDDTA(10) Slipped Skip To Center, and more [271]

[Keith]

"it was beginning to feel like being in a skip that had just slipped  
its cable, heading for the center of the earth" [271:14-15]

In mining, a skip is "an iron bucket, which slides between guides,  
for hoisting mineral and rock."
           --Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)

Image: http://tinyurl.com/3arjxy
Detailed description: http://tinyurl.com/34acp6

It is more likely the reference is to "man-skips" which were used as  
mine shaft elevators. In Cripple Creek you can catch a ride in one on  
your *ATD Summer Vacation Tour*. A trip to the earth's core is  
prevented because "both man-skip units are equipped with spring  
loaded safety dogs that spring close clamping onto wooden skip guides  
if cable tension is lost."
http://goldminetours.com/mkminetour.htm

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"ex-Danite posse riders" [271:24]

Vigilante Mormons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danite

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""Avenging Angels," which were typically Civil War-vintage Colts with  
the barrels sawed off short" [271:25-26]

For examples, scroll down to "Crazy! Colt Cut-off and Wacko Pistols"
http://tinyurl.com/2f2rc2

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