The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-12
TOPICS OF II TOWN.

IN q IlttI0 group IN ono corner OF tn0
veranda at the Broadwater last evening were
Mr.. A. Chadbourn and Mr.. 4. a. Bennett, of
London, Mr.. Henry B~ratnobsf, Of this city, |
Mr.. s. W~sstenweiler and Col. &. w. Irwin, of
Butte. A gathering Of bstter known or
more successful mining mon could hardly
be found on two continents. Mr.. Chad
bourn. Mr.. Bennett and Mr.. Bratnober rep
resent the famous English syndicate that
has done 10 much to develop the mining
interests Of Montana. The great Drum
Lummon, the hardly less famous Elkhorn,
the Golden Leaf, and their latest and per-
haps best purchase, the De Lamar, OF Idaho.
were swung IN the London market and de-
veloped to great prosperity through tho
efforts of these gentlemen. All arc there
foro closely allied to the welfare of Mon
tana's great industry. and their views of the
present situation in London and Montana
arc of more than usual interest.
Mr.. Chadbourn bears a striking resem-
blance to Secretary Blaine. His beard is
white and close cropped like the secretary's
while his face has much the same appear
ance. The secretary is much taller. how
ever. Mr.. Chadbourn has been in mining
for more thar twenty-five years and ranks
among the most successful operators IN
London. He has not visited Helena since
1883, when he was instrumental In the pur-
chase of the Drum Lummon. "Of course"
he said, II am delighted to see many agree
able changes in this city, the most striking
of which is right here where we are now
talking. When ! drove by here the last time
with MIR 0ruao thia nlaCa yHaa n awamn.
Now 1t is one of the l~oveliest places l have
seen in America. I am over here fora rest,
but also with an eye to business. If
there are chances to make good invest
ments l hope to improve them. I will be
away from home three or four
months and will visit Spokane, Brit
ish America, the Kootenai country
and Neihart which l hear is a very
promising camp. Mr.. Bennett and 1 have
just come from De Lamar, where We have
inspected the mine, which had never seen
before. 1t is splendid property, and will
grow better, I think. right along. 1t is I'M
der fine management. Capt. Plummer's
monthly statements are the ~clearest and
best / have ever seen. He seems to unite
the fine mining superintendent and a strict
business man. Mr.. Nelson, at the Elk
horn, is a young man, wi impressed me rs
being very capable. You see heretofore
there have been two difficulties confronting
foreign investors when Montana mines are
talked of. First, the owners in this coun-
try want too much money for their proper
ties, and, secondly, there has been such ex-
travagant management. A great deal moro
English capital would be invested in this
country if reasonable prices were asked.
Instead of that owners seem to think every
small mine is a region of fabulous wealth.
The London investments in mines
here have brought good results.
The Elkhorn turns in dividends of 40 per
cent, and the Golden Leaf at Bannock
promises very we'll. A ten-stamp mill, one
of the best l ever saw, is built. and another
will be built next spring, if needed, and /
think it will be. There are over 1900 tons
Of ore on the dump now. We ave no
particular properties in view just now for
time.
Mr.. Bennett is on his way to Australia,
New Zealand and Tasmania in the interests
of the syndicate. He said 'there have
been various late reports of rich strikes in
these countries, particularly in Tasmania,
and 1 will 20 there to try and find some
thing worth buying. At least I will en-
deavor to make a thorough search. I go
from Helena to San Francisco, and from
there will have a twenty-five days sea voy-
age. 1 never saw the financial situa-
ton in London SO bad as now
People who have money hold it locked up
J and there is a general nervous feeling that
| a panic may come at n time. If a rumor
should start that the Bank of England had
suspended many people would be ready to
believe it. In consequence of this depres-
sion there is n dullness in the mining ex-
change and a disposition on the part of the
investors to go slow. The Montana mines
| stand very high and the stock is held frmer
seem to warrant. OF course we are looking
for better times. l believe the situation
will be decidedly better this fall"
If it be true, az the report reaches US,
that the school trustees have adopted an
iron-clad rule that no Catholics shall be
employed as teachers, the fact is not at all
to their credit.-Last Nights Herald.
ut is sometimes well to determine. if
possible, the truth or falsity of local ru-
mors before %indulging in pronounced edi-
torial comment said one of the school
trustees. Then he added: "Such an alb
suid rule never was adopted, never wac
discussed or suggested. III fact, no one
thought of it SO far as I know until the
news appeared in last nights Herald.
Catholic teachers have been hired for the
Nh
We have 40 religious, social or color lines
on the board, and do not propose to have
any,"
Special sale of corsets, 25c. and upwards.
Butcher 4 Bradley, 105 Broadway.
Fred Lehman has removed to No, 1877 Nortl