Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-12-30
The Great Western Mica Co.

The Great Western Mica Co.
We copy the following letter and
comments from the Deadwood Times Of
the 23d. AS the property is located near
town and several miners are minus
their pay the extract will probably he
read with interest:
MILWAUKEE, Dec. IA, 1882.
Il saw an article i'm your paper this
morning, sent to me by James +. Ward
ner, alleging crookedness by me in con
nection with the Great Western Mica
Mining company. was very much
surprised at the article, and should like
very much TO know where the report
originated. In the first place | never
was secretary Of the company, and
secondly, there never has been but one
thousand 1000 shares Of the stock sold
in Milwaukee, and the president Of the
company and the secretary had as much
to do with the selling Of it as | did. The
secretary had 500 Of the same to pay
bills against the company, $500 was sent
TO Ruggles, and the other $500 went to
pay Il part Of the money ] had paid out
for the company in expenses. / spent
six months time in which | did little
else but work for this company, first in
trying to stock the mines and raise mon
ey to work them, but ] could do nothing
with them then l consolidated with
the above company. In doing this |
did what / thought was best for all con
cerned, bat | never have sold any ofthe
stock, but helped sell the 81 900, and
that was taken by a friend of the presi-
dent. ] have paid olt over $500 for the
company more than / have received,
and this is the way l have made money
out of the mica mines-about the same
as all my mining schemes have paid.
Yours truly,
L. b. MANvILLE.
The Times was in error when it
stated that Mr.. Nanville was secretary
of the company. Instead he occupies Il
much higher position in the company,
being vice president.
Manning ID. Birge, Of the firm Of Car
son, Pirie, Scott & Co., ofChicago, is the
president, and from a letter written bv
him on the same date, December II, We
learn something about the manner in
which MIR. Manville has managed his
business, that may be of interest to our
readers. Mr.. Birge. i'm his letter saws !:
&c. A. Folsom, of Milwaukee, to whom,
Manville sold the 81 900 of stock writes
me thus Mr.. Manville stated to me
that the ST. 900 should be forwarded to
the mines at once, and even said that |
could go with him and see that he sent
the same by telegraph. certainly had
confidence in what he said, as YOU had
recommended him so highly, when We
three met here sometime previous. All
of the 81 900 first paid him was for mica
stock
'Manville told me some time when
talked with him last, ii,ai the $1,000 first
paid was for Harvey stock, and only
$3.50 paid on mica stock
We learn from members of the com
pany that the $500 and the $500 were
never paid to the company, $500 only of
the 81 900.
When the work Of development be-
gan it was agreed between Major Wool.
ley, c. ". i. kuggles and Manville thai;
each should put up $3.50 in cash, and
that no money should be Withdrawn un-
til the mine was on a paying basis. The
first two named put up their cash, the
third put up $1,000 feet of lnmber and
$37 in cash.
1t was understood that this 81 900 was
to be sent to the superintendent at Gus
ter City, and had it been done, with the
$3.50 put up 10y the three parties named,
the mine would have been opened up,
and mica put upon the market for sale,
but instead, the $500 was soon exhaust
and thinking the balance would soon
be there, work was continued until
debts were contracted and operations
brought to a standstiil.
We have no hesitancy i'm saying that
the property is a good one, and if the
money had been properly applied as it
was understood it should be, the com
pany would to-day be on a paying basis.
as all men from that section speak of it
as being n of the very best mines in
the Southern Hills.
The Times has 40 desire to injure Mr..
Manville, and for that reason has given
letter entire, but when his statement
IS considered with what Mr.. Folsom.
he man who put up the s 1000, says,
81 - -,