The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-04-21
MILLIONAIRE MINERS.
Men Who Have Made Great Fortunes,
and How They Got Their Start.

ing boom that is steadily growing in pro-
portions throughout number of the
leading cities of the country seems in a
fair way to capture Kansas City. A min
ing exchange was established two months
ago, and addresses are delivered at regu-
lar intervals before members of the Ex-
change and their friends, while the news
papers have entered the field in response
to the popular demand for information
on the subject of the mines and mining.
Beginning with the 1st of March, daily
quotations will be exhibited at the Ex-
change upon all mining properties in
which Kansas City is interested. Fully
dozen valuable mining properties in
different parts of the West are controlled
by local capitalists. A large return in
the shape of dividends has kept the in
tcrest at lively heat, and spectators
and capitalists of this city propose to
enter the field and grasp at some of the
enormous riches that flow from the min
eral resources of the West. The increased
interest in mining may, perhaps, be partly
explained by the fact that the specula-
tive fraternity cannot see the profits in
real estate that the past three years have
exhibited, and have turned their atten-
ton to mining.
Old miners say that every ten years
since '49 the country has gone wild over
sthe discovery of rich deposits IN the
West. An examination of the history OF
the industry in this country shows the
statement to be true. In 40 everybody
wanted to go to California;; in SO the
discovery OF gold at Pixies Peak flooded
the West with adventurers; in '69, Vir
sinia City; IN 10, Leadville; while 'Ss
will eclipse the record all over the West.
Mr.. james II. Myres, Superintendent
of mines in Summit county, COL, and d
successful miner of twenty five years ex
perience, was encountered at the Elk
change 10y your correspondent yesterday
My. Myres picked up 100000 in goia
dust Washing placers in Arizona, Coiora-
do. and Montana before he was 20 years
of age. He is pleasant and obligins
gen,leman, and was readily drawn into
conversation on his favoritc theme.
Mr. Myres, is there any money made
| in miningl"
The reply was almost startling.
81 never knew man that stuck t.
mining closely for ten years that did no'
| make fortune. Last year $lO3, ,OOO,OUt
| were taken out Of the mountains. Within
! the past seventeen years the States ano
Territories west OF the Mississippi have
produced $6l5,O00,OOO in mineral pro
ducts. The $25,OO0,OOO invested in ma
chinery produced s33,OOO,O0O last year
Half the product may be marked dow
| as clear profit. The mines OF Colorado
alone give employment to 10000 men
| Yes, there's money in mining. 1t stands
alone as the only industry in which maj
may engage without single dollar to III
credit, and wind up millionaire. Thu
is entirely possible in mining.
"That sounds like q romance, Mr
Myres. Will you be kind enough t.
name the men that have made fortune
IN the mountains!"
The veteran settled himself in his chair
crossed his right leg over his left knee
titled his hat over the back of his hea'
and began his reply:
..Senator Hearst Of California Is be
yond doubt the best miner IN America
Originally from Missouri, he began Il
the mountains as q day laborer. IL
steadily ascended as foreman, superln
tendent, and owner. He is to-day tn
richest man in the United States. Their
is not a mining State or Territory j
which he is not owning and. workln
some mining property. He has 6'oo
men in his employ in this country. II
stated to me recently that he ndn't los
a dollar in mining for twenty years pas
Have heard him say that he would muc
rather be in his mines than in Washing
ton. His wife's social aspirations le
him to accept official posi- ton.
"Jim Witchlatch was formerly owne
or the Witchlatch Union mine, nea
Unionville, Mont. He sold his mine 1e
81 800, 900 in gold. He lost this stak
ON Wall street, went back to Leadvlil
and in six months made $12O,OoO' an
lost every nickel of it in 1888 by I'll
failure of Grant s. Wards bank. Notf
ing daunted by his recent collapse, Witcf
latch turned up at Kingston, N. NJ. La
spring he got bonded lease on plee
of property, opened it out httle' an
sold it to St.'Louis parties so as to pla'
bank account of el5o.O0O to his credl
AT the present time this lucky child
fortune is in Brooklyn nursing broke
leg. .o,d
the discoverer six years ago 1or Slo'oo
st. Louis people bought it. For thr
wears past the Mary Murphy mine u
been paying dividend on $S'ooo'ooo'