Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-21

RoMAsCE EoFCALUMET AND HECLA
How the Famous Copper-fine Cnme
10 be Developed.
IDetroli Free Press


"1n regard 10 toe Calumet and HecIs COP
per.mnes in the Upper peninsula" said
Hon. Peter White, OF Marquette, while az
the Russell House. there Is an interesting
history connected with their establishment.
The land upon which the mines are located
was originally owned by a man named HUI
burt. rather reckless sort OF fellow, who
could not induce money TO stick 10 his tin-
gers. he was constantly In need Of
cash In those days, and morfgaged his
property TO a couple OF Boston specu.
lators, one OF whom was son OF the late
Professor AgassIz, the great scientist.
When the time for payment arrived HUI
burt was unable to meet his obligations and
the property was raked In under the mort
gage by the Boston fellows. The latter at
once set on foot the investigations which
resulted in the development Of the famous
opper-mlne-certaiuly the richest In this
country-perhsps the richest In the world.
When II was too late Hulburt discovered his
folly and undertook 10 recover something
from the wreck BY ipstituting a suit at law as
claimant OF the property. He had no legal
claim whatever upon the Boston parties, but
there was some basis for 4 moral clam be-
cause OF his ignorance OF the richness OK his
property at the time Il was mOrtgaged At
bert was In the House. For some reason
presumably because they did not wish 10 be
bothered by injunctions and thar sort OF thing
while developing heir rich mlnes-the Bos-
ton syndicate decided TO make Hubert an
1 offer. They wrote him letter offering 10
place sl50,00O in United States bond,
| in Boston bank IN the name
Of Hulburi's wife, giving hun the interest
during ber life. and at her death the princi-
| pal. The precauti0n WAS taken by the 81 n
dicate because OF their knowlege OF HUI
burt's conviyisl habits. It was n big ofier.
but at first Hulourt failed to appreciate il.
| He hunted me up in the Senate chamber and
| handed me the letter.
"'Just read that be said, with evident
indignation.
81 read Il through carefully, and was as
| tonished at tbe generosity displayed.
"You will accept this offer, OF courseY
said.
81 shall never forget Hulburt's look Of
/ high ana lofty scorn as he reached for the
| letter, tore it into tiny fragment, and scat
tered them upon the floor Of the Senate
chamber argued with him upon the iolly
Of his course, hut he left me without appa-
rently changing from his resolve. The next
| DAY. however, brought a change. There
is pretty big look 10 $4,000 when
n man is hsrd up, and HulOuft told me
he bad decided TO 90 At once to Boston
! and accept the offer OF tho syndicate in
iinll settlement OF bis supposed claim. Ho
went. II was the making Of him. Since
that tiue Hulburt has got more out OF life
than be ever before deemed possible. His
vile died shortly after the bonds were
given them, and The husband then secured
the large sum outright lie has steadttd
down IN his habits. has spent several
years in Europe, and IS now living In the
! East in excellent style. Such, In brief, is
one Of the many romantic episodes con-
nected with the Calumet aud HeclA copper
| mlnes.v