The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-01-27
MINERS AND pRosrEcroRs.
some of the superstitIons to which Thsy
Cling.

There are probably peculiarities Of mind
and temperament which characterize each
class OF people engaged in different occu-
patton. Some students Of human nature
say there is something in every occupation
which stamps itself, leaves its trade mark,
as it were, upon the countenances of those
who are its followers. Those peculiarities
furnish an interesting study, and of no
class more interesting one than of miners
and prospectors. The general public
groups them together, but, as q matter OF
fact, they constitute two entirely different
classes of people. having different kinds
and methods Of work and different habits
of thought.
The miner is man with trade. He is
one who is willing to work for wages, con-
tent with what he can save out of them, and
not aspiring to become suddenly wealthy.
The very nature of his calling compels him
10 take chances by leasing and otherwise,
which other mechanics do not take, and
have no opportunity TO take. American
miners are not, as class, content with the
humdrum life of wage worker, but are
ambitious to be something else.
The prospector is different being. Con-
finement at daily labor. with no hope for
anything more than daily wages, will not
satisfy him. He has aspirations for some
thing higher. Hope is largely developed
in him, and he is essentially an optimist. II
ne were otherwise he would scarcely be O
prospector. He discounts the chances
against him, and hope leads him to magni.
ty the chances in his favor. To the extent
that this popularity affects him his judg-
ment is always poor. In fancy he can see
bonanza just ahead of him. The state.
ment be so often makes in relation to
claim he owns, that one is sure to strike
pay within ten or twenty feet, he often
firmly believes. 1t is based upon his rosy
hope and not upon any reliable indications.
Prospectors embrace all classes. There
are hundreds of them who are educated
men, who have enjoyed college advantages
and could move creditably ip any circle Of
society But the characteristic of them all
is superabundant hope and the spirit which
leads men to take chances. They are not
men to whom labor is abhorrent, for pros
pecting is far harder work than actual min
ing.
Both classes have their superstitions.
There is vein of faith in most prospecton
in something supernatural, in some power
greater than human, that can unlock the
mysteries of nature and show the resting
place of hidden stores of ore. The fortune
teller and spiritual mediums find their har
vest among prospeetors. The man with
machine that can indicate the location of
rich ore veins and deposits always finds an
abundance OF believers among them.
In every mining State and Territory they
have directed the investment of large sums
Of money, and hive caused years and years
Of labor to be thrown AWAY in useless search
for treasures. Colorado and Nevada con.
tain score or more of men who have spent
fortunes digging in barren rock at the die
tation Of some man with a mnrhfne or some
spiritual medium. Others are following
now in their footsteps. Possibly supersti-
tious faith in such things is most largely
developed in those who ara by nature led to
take chances. 1t would seem SO from the
fact that the fortune tellers of the cities
find the greatest numbers of their custo.
mers among the dealers in stocks and
futures, as in the West they find them
among those who take the most chances in
prospecting.
There are prospectors who will never
hunt for claim on Friday, believing that it
is an unlucky day, just as there are thou
sands of men who are sensible In most
things who will never start on journey on
Friday for the same reason. There are
many who believe that Sunday is lucky
day and never fail to spend its daylight
hours searching for new claim, believing
that anything found on that day is most
likely to be rich.