Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-08-10
~ InrlNan FenrpaE.
70 Which Mrs, Cathsrins B. Ksssisin, OF
this City, 81 Part Hsiresss.

TO Which Mrs., Cathsrins B. Kessisin, OF
this City, IS Part Hsiresss.
Ex. Gov. Jacob Yesterday LETT the city
in the interest Of Mrs. Henry kersteln,
of Centre Wheeling, to lock after the
immense fortune lately by Mrs; kers'
tein's brother, John Valentine Winters.
The account of the immense fortune be-
ing left one of Wheeling's inhabitants,
was published exclusively by the RIG,
rsTRR q few weeks ago. 1t Will
be remembered that Mrs. kers-
ITEMS brother left the family when 1t
was in PENNSYLVANIA over thiriy.hve
years ago, and nothing was heard OF
him until an advertisement was no.
ticed giving an account OF his death,
and asking his relatives to come forward
and claim his property in New Mexico.
The Judge OF the Court sends IN re-
DIV to questions propounded rs to the
value OF the mine left by Winters at the
time of his death, the following descrip-
ton OF "Homestake" mine taken from
the Santa Fe Trail OF October, 1880:
Mrs. John V. Winters and his partner,
James Dolan, were out on prospect
ing tour in southern New Mexico, late
| in the summer of 1879, and were meet
ing with Indifferent success when their
| attention was turned toward Lincoln
county by the reports'they heard OF
A MEXICAN WHO HAD FOUND A NUGGET OF
| GOLD
in the neighborhood OF where White
Oaks now stands. They went to the
locality and commenced work upon a
placer. Shortly after going into these
idisgings,' strapped miner named
Wilson came along from Ari-
IONA. Wilson was hard pressed Tor
a grub stake, so Winters took him in
and gave him work in the placers. They
could not afford to employ him on a
salary, and after remaining in camp
three days Wilson took grub stake
and started up Baxter canon. Sit.
ting on a boulder to rest he
Clipped off corner OF the rock and
found color He concluded that there
must be good lode somewhere in Il e
vicinity, and commenced to search for
an outcrop up the mountain side. He
had travelled but twenty var 8
when he found the en-
chanted spot, and located Il .
famous Homestake claim. He Welt
back to camp and reported his find,
offering il for sale. All the wealth that
Winters had was forty dollars worth
of washings and three silver dollars.
With THE and pistol the Home
stake was secured, and the inter-
est divided with Dolan and n
merchant OF Lincoln, named lie
Rue, who hsd grub.slaked the placer
miners before Wilson appeared on the
scene. The purchasers OF the Home.
stake commenced the work OF develope.
lnent Immediately, and at depth OF
four feet from the surface was gold,
standing out to the naked eye. At a
depth OF s feet assays have been made,
giving the astonishing average OF SiO,-
OOO per ton. The mine IS now down
some twelve feet, and ore is being placed
on the dump awaiting treatment when
the stamp mills arrive. Still the wealth
OF the Homestake is not wholly
known, and it is thought that
millions will be taken out before the
shaft reaches the depth where most gold
mines first show signs Wilson owns
the south half of the mine still, and has
become millionaire, where but few
months ago he was tramp prospector.
The subsequent history of'the "Home.
stake" has. been no less remarkable. A
new tunnel has just been constructed,
and sthe tissure reached where it is
far richer than at the point OF orig
inal discovery. The free gold is
so fabulously rich that the mine has to
be handled almost like mint
u 4 n LII al hl
carried away by any visit.
or or workman so disposed. The mine
is undoubtedly the richest gold mine in
the world"
Those to whom the mine will fall, are
Mrs. Catharine b. BERNSTEIN, OF Wheel
ing, Mrs. Mary Llttell, of Owensbor.
ough, KY, Jacob Winters, OF Philadel.
phia, and Elizabeth Klevis.