The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-08-30
A GOLD-REGION STORY.
THE ADVENTURES AND ROMANCE OF MIR.
FERDINAND VAN zANDT.

The presence at the Palace Hotel of
Ferdinand Van Zandt, one of the richest
mine owners IN the country, recalled to
the memory OF local mining men his re-
markable adventures. Fifteen wears ago
he was in Leadville without cent: in
the phrase of the times he s'slung beer"
Now he is worth millions, is sole proprie.
tor of the Blue Bird Mine at Butte, and
is son-in law of Sir John Lubbock.
Van Zandt was the scion of a Knicker-
booker family possessed of a great deal
more pride than ready cash, or even col.
lateral. When Leadville was the second
Pixies Peak of the West the young man
left his home and started for Colorado.
He arrived at Leadville ia a destitute
condition; he did not possess enough to
purchase sleeping room. There was
constant stream of men flowing to aud
from the gold mines; and, after working
III mental position for awhile. VanZandt
left with a party for the mountains. As
partner IN the property he took young
man no better equipped for the rough life
OF miner than he was himself, but the
two remained together through ali privat-
ions, and the companion is now superint-
endent of the Blue Bird mine.
For two years they worked together
but luck was against them, and all they
got from their hard labor was Just
enough to keep them alive. They were
joined by yonng man who possessed
some money and knowledge of the
country. With his assistance Van Zandt
was able to find a more favorable locat-
ion, and the men began to save some
thing.
Six months after the arrival of the
stranger he was chosen to go to New
Mexico to gather mining statistics. lie
was not to be gone more than three
months, ana promised Van Zaudt that
he would return to the camp when his
mission was accomplished. The strang-
er rode away, and the months multiplied
to year, but he never returned. Then
Van Zardt determined TO hunt him up,
or at least learn his fate. All the money
the partners had was gathered together
and taken by the young man to aid in
the search for the stranger. Van Zandt
travelled into New Mexico and after
some time was successful in discovering
the trail of his friend. In few weeks
he came to the end of the trail and found
his friend had been murdered. Van
crime and succeeded in finding the STAY
ers of the stranger. He had the men ar.
rested, but time passed and there was no
chance of the case coming TO trial.
-Four Mexicans were iii prison and Van
Zandt decided they were all guilty Of
the murder. He worked up feeling
against the men and headed a small par
ty which broke open the Jail aud hanged
the gang.
Van Zand5 then returned to Leadville
There he was engaged by a syndicate to
go to England to secure funds with
which to stock a farm. Valuable letters
were given to the young man, and he
was we'll received in London. Among
the prominent people he met was Sir
John Lubbock, whose daughter he mar
ried. She had great deal of money in
her own right, and her young husband
made good use Of it. Sir John was very
much opposed to the match, but the
young people were determined, and,
after Withdrawing objections, the Baron
ct proved a very venerable father-in- law
Van Zandt brought his wife to this
country. He purchased the Blue Bird
mine, which be got very cheap. 1t is
now clearing 100000 a month.-,Sa2s
francisco Cal.