The Ketchum keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1881-1884, 1883-12-26
HISTORY OF THE ELKHORN.
How Near II failed of Being Placed.

Montana, Independent
The Independent received pleasant
call yesterday from Col. I. i. Lewis,
formerly an old citizen Of Montana, but
now of Idaho. Col. Lewis for many
years connected with the Legal Tender
mine, but the venture proved disas-'
trous one, and after seeking in vain to
retrieve his broken fortunes in Montana,
he finally, in 1879, drifted into the Wood
River country He had no means, but
he had at least gathered from his many
years of disappointmentin Montana
rich harvest OF experience, and expert
ence as miner was q fortune in itself
in q country glittering all over with I'M
River region in 1879. He had not been
long in the country before he came up
on the present famous Elkhorn mine, in
the vicinity of thenow lively little town
of Ketchum. party Of prospectors
had only gone down few feet and hes
itated to go further for fear that the
rich surface indications would be explo-
ded by Development. The prospect was
consequently for sale, and the practiced
eye of Col. Lewis at once took in the
immense value of the discovery. But he
had no money with which to buy. He
had but the bare chance Of enlisting
capital among old friends in Montana,
and he secured bond for the mine for
thirty days at $4,000, and at once turned
his face toward Helena. But here he
met with many obstacles. There were
then no railroads into the Wood River
country, and men of means did not feel
disposed to travel five hundred miles
through q wilderness to examine for
themselves. Fewer still were disposed
to put in So, O00upon no other evidence
than the convictions of gentleman who
had not the eclat of success to bolster up
his opinions. He found himself very
much in the fix of Columbus, wander
ing from court to court, begging for a
ship to discover a glorious continent
buried in the bosom of unknown oceans.
He had approached Mr.. s. 7. Hauser
upon the subject, and although the sue
cessful banker is known to be man of
undoubted nerve and daring, he hest
tated to tackle the far off bonanza upon
no better evidence than Mr.. Lewis could
give. A. NJ. Hotter, too, and other en-
terprising citizens in Helena and Butte
had been approached, but without sue
cess At last the time for which the
bond had been given had nearly ex-
PRED, and Mr.. Lewis, disappointed and
detected, prepared to return. The night
before his contemplated departure he
had final talk with Mr.. Hotter, going
over the whole ground once more. The
truth flashed upon Hotter like an inspi-
ration of genius which fathoms the Sc
cret of the unknown, and nerved by
heaven born convictions, dares to ven
ture where others fear to tread. SO con-
WINGED had Mr.. Hotter become that he
urged Lewis TO remain for one day
longer. The latter consented, and to-
gether he ana Hotter visited Hauser the
next day.
Napoleon once said that in a great
battle victory OF defeat often hangs up
on a single thought SO in life, great
achievements and great successes often
tremble in the scale, and hair, q breath,
will make or mar the fortunes of after
years.
Holter's enthusiasm was contagious,
and Hauser was convinced. But twelve
thousand dollars was large sum to en-
bark in so hazardous a venture, and
they both felt that few more partners,
in the enterprise would be entirely.
agreeable. Men always want partners
when travelling upon dangerous ground.
just then r. S. Hale, the well known.
druggist, was seen across the street, and
cautious and prudent man, still he
sometimes likes to daily with Dame
Fortune and take chances on the hazard
of a die. He was called, and in few
moments the combination was formed.
Hotter, Hale.aad Hauser were TO put up
the money, and Lewis to sbuy ana 'su-
perintend the mine, which was to be
owned jointly by the four. The next
morning Dir. Lewis started for Idaho
with the money, arriving just III time to
buy the property before the expiration
of the bond The result proved that he
had indeed purchased veritable bo-
nGnza. In about thirty days after the
mine was purchased, enough ore had
been extracted to pay for it, although
it then had to be hauled all away to Salt
Lake smelters for reduction. The mine
was purchased in The autumn OF 1879.
and since then the fortunate owners