Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-06-07
ERA.
1T Is FLOODED WITH MORMONS
AND THEIR TEAMS.
ALI the Contract Work Given to Them
No Show Whatever for Gentiles.

n'i thO COhtTACt Work G1Yen TO Them
No Show Whatever for Gentiles.
John M. Ban6eld returned yester-
day from Era, where he has been the
past six weeks. He is thoroughly dis
gusted with the way in which things
are managed out there. There are
few good mines, but none that en-
ploy any considerable number of men.
The Henrietta has just been bought
by Craig Chambers, who will doubtless
soon put on good force of men; but
the only mine or company employing
any large number of men or teams at
present is the Horn Silver mine of the
Bannack Company. This is, unior-
tunately, controlled by the Groesbecks,
one of whom is in the Penltentiary
for one year for "unlawful cohabita-
tlon,' another is under indictment on
similar charge, and the third is in
charge of operations at Era, dividing
the responsibility with Mr.. Thum, the
paunchy individual who is well known
here as having been banker in the
Black Hills. The fellow has, it seems,
developed into full-hedged Mormon
Bishop, and, like all new converts, is
endeavoring to "out- Herod Herod" in
devotion to the cause.
Mr.. Banfeld endeavored to obtain
various contracts-for burning lime,
hauling wood, rock, ETC., but in every
case he was met by lower bids put in
by Mormons. These were generally
from rs to so per cent. lower than
his. But he and the Gentiles got the
best of the Mormons on the wood
proposition. Mr.. Ban6eld put in bid
as usual. He offered to cut and de-
liver wood for $3.50 per cord, but
Bishop Thum said that he had bid
for $3.50 per cord. The Gentles
thereupon went and located, as min
eral ground, every foot of timber land
within eight miles of Era. The Nor
mons thereupon threw up their con-
tract, and Mr.. Banfeld believed he
would get show. But the mine
managers raised the price to 1915,
and, although MIR. Banfeld still offered
to do the work for $3.50, it was given
to Mormons, who then bought tim
Der claim within few miles of Era
for $500!
There are some 20 to so Mormon
teams there-fne stock, good wagons,
etc.-and all are to be put to work
The Bannack managers say SO them.
selves, and blandly inform applicants
that there is no show for any one from
this way Wood River). AS to the
Mormon boys, they are quite defiant
and even aggressive. They are
camped, about two miles from Era
where they have quite a settlement
Of nights they come to Era 10 or Il
I in gang, imbibe tangleleg, and
when full, 60 through town saying;
"We're Mormons; some of those
SIS of BIS you've heard so mucl
about"
Captain Owens is on the ground
getting the foundations ready for thu
new mill which he is under contract t.
complete this summer.
Wages is very low. Miners ge
from $3.50 to So per day, withou
k board; carpenters $3.50-etc. Pro
:, visions are quite cheap, all the Nor
i mon teams having brought loads from
Utah. Potatoes are selling at 40 cent
per 100 pounds; -four, bacon, etc., a
'. equally low rates.
:, There is very little money in circu
u lation in Era, and no immediate pros
: pect of improvement. As it is well
nigh impossible for Gentiles TO &c
; work there at present, Mr.. Ban6el
. advises them to stay away.