Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-06-18
A Story of a Rich Mine
A Miner who Waited Twenty
Years for a Buyer.

Years for a Buyer.
And Then Sold Five-Sixths Inter.
est In His Claim for 100000.
Recently there arrived at the Gilman
hotel in this city, says the Portland
lore. Ne,Us, a plainly or rather poorly
dressed. cadaverous- looking man, a.
bout so years of age, who took 81
room. Soon thereafter it was whisp-
cred that the new arrival was Thomas
Cruise, the man who had sold the Drum
Lummond mine, in Montana, for 81
600,000 Half of this amount is said
to be deposited in the First national
bank In this city, and the other half in
a Montana bank.
1t was noticed during the million
airs presence in the house ;bat he
spent no money that he could possibly
avoid. On Sunday lie asked where the
catholic church was, instead OF hiring
a carriage and travelling as becomes a
man of so much wealth, he trudged on
foot to the church and back. On Tues
day he left for his home in Montana.
Yesterday gentleman was met who
knew Mr.. Cruise well, and he said !:
'Yes, am Well acquainted with him.
For the past twenty-five years he has
been prospector in Montana and Ida
ho, and his present wealth ia due to
the fact that he is one Of those fellows
that get hold and never let GO
"Why, it's twenty years since he
struck the mine that he sold for more
than million and half. In order to
develop it he would work for a while
for others to obtain stake for grub,
tools, and powder. Then he would
put in his time on the mine until his
funds were exhausted"
"FiDally he struck pay dirt, and his
enthusiasm knew no bounds. and for
three or four years before he sold out
he made living out Of it. How ?
Why, by extracting few hundred
pounds of ore and taking it to his cab.
In and reducing it to pulp in NOR
tar and washing it out in bread-pan.
You see the mine, although rich, could
not be properly developed without cap
ital."
"Being of a secretive disposition, he
had door at the entrance of his hid
den treasure which he kept locked at
all times, and the miners used to call
the place 'Cruse's prison.
"The story of the great richness OF
the mine spread far and wide, and big
offers were made for it. Among those
who made an offer for the mine was
Mackay, of bonanza fame, but the har-
dy prospector knew full well the value
of his find, and would not sell until he
got figure. Cruise was slayer from a
way back, and don't you forget it.
Had it been me I,would have sold out
long ago."
"Finally an English syndicate COM
menced to angle with the lucky pro-
spector, and at one time negotiations
reached such stage that the papers
were drawn up and read to Cruise, who
was also represented by his attorney.
A clause in the agreement was read by
which the purchasers could buy the one
sixth interest he retained. should they
so desire. This Jared on the old man 8
ear like a false note to au orchestra
leader.
''I want that stricken out, and I'll
give you Just five minutes to do so. If
you don't the jig is up" sententiously
said the man who had waited twenty
years for purchaser.
"We!l, but that's a mere formality,
and it's not likely the company will
want to freeze you out" said the rep
resentative of English capital. This
sort of expostulotion was kept until the
hands of the clock marked the expira-
tion of the FIVE fateful minutes.
1.-THE jig's up" slowly and sternly
said Cruise.
"And indeed it was, and the failure
to accede to the request made by Cruise
cost 800, 900 extra, and it was severa
months before he resumed negotiations
Had the clause been stricken out fye-
sixths of the mine could have been pur-
chased for 81 500 900, but when the ne
gotiations were resumed ST. 600 900 was
asked and received for five-sixths of the
Drum Lummond mine."
The mineis situated about three miles
from Butte City, VI. T.. .and is probably
the richest gold producing mine in the
world.