Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-06-11
CRUISES BONANZA.
Thomas Was . Slayer and He Stayed ful
He Got His Price.


On Saturday there arrived at the Gilman
hotel, in this city, poorly dressed, cadav-
erous-looking man. about 50 years Of age,
who took a 81 room The new arrival was
Thomas Cruse the man who had sold the
DrumLummond mine, in Montana for 81 CO.
900. 1t was noticed during the millionaire's
presence in the house that he spent no money
that he could possibly avoid. On Tuesday
he left for his house in Montana.
gentleman was met who knew Mr..
Cruise well and he said: "Yes; am we'll
acquainted with him. For the past twenty
five years he has been n prospector in
Montana and Idaho, and his present wealth
is due 10 the fact that he is one Of those
fellows that get hold and never let go.
Why, it is twenty years since he struck the
mine that he sold for more than 81, 500, 900.
In order to develop it he would work for q
while for Others to obtain q stake for grub,
tools and powder Then he would put in his
time en- the mine until his funds were
exhausted.
Finally he struck pay dirt and his en-
thusia-m knew no bounds, and for two or
three years before he sold out he made
living out Of it by extracting few hundred
pounds Of ore and taking it to his cabin and
reducing it TO pulp in a mortar and wash
ing out the gold into bread pan. You see
the mine. although rich. could not be
properly developed without capital
Being of a secretive disposition he had
door at the entrance Of his secret treasure,
which he kept locked at all times and the
miners used 10 facetiously call the place
'Cruse's prison The story Of the great
richness Of the mine spread far and wide,
and big Oilers were made for it. Among
those who made an offer for the mine was
Mackay of bonanza fame, but the hardy
prospector knew full well the value Of his
find, and would not sell until he got his fig
ure Cruise was slayer from away back,
and don't you forget it. Had it been me l
would have sold out long ago
FINALLY an English syndicate commenced
TO angle with the lucky prospector, and at
one time negotiations reached such a stage
that the papers were drawn up and read to
Crus. who was also represented by his at
torney. 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 mans ears
like the false note to an orchestra leader.
- want that stricken out and I'll give
you just FIVE minutes to do 50. II you
don't the jig is up sententiously said the
man who had waited twenty years for
purchaser.
Well but that's mere formality, and
it's not likely the company will want to
freeze you out, said the representative Of
English capital This sort of expostulation
was kept up until the hands on the clock
marked the expiration Of the fateful five
minutes
The jig's up slowly and sternly said
Cruise
And indeed il was, and the failure to &C.
sole 70 the request made by Cruise cost $780,,
900 extra, and IL was several months before
he resumed negotiations. Had the clause
been struck out. fve-sixths Of the mine
could have been purchased for 81. SOC, 0O0,
but when the negotiations were resumed
81, GO, 600 was asked and received for five
sixths of the Drum Lummond mine"