The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-12
SAPPHIRE FIELD DEAL.
Henry Haupt's Statement as to the
Title to Them Denied by a
Butte Editor.
Stampede to SLOGAN, In the Koo-
tenai Lake Country, Across
the Line.
Rich Finds Near Pocatallo--New Orc
Roasting Furnace-Oro Elmo Dis
trict-In McaGher.

The other day the Butte Inter Mountain
published an interview with III. Il. Haup
concerning the formation of a company il
England for the purchase Of the Sprat'
sapphire fields on Eldarado bar. Haup'
said: 1.-THE reason for circulating q privatt
subscription is obvious. az the title OF thu
sapphire fields is still in doubt, and the
patents to said ground were obtained By
fraud, and he az the principal contestant tc
the title of the fields is prepared to prove i
90 whom the proper time comes, etc.. and
that witnesses have been threatened If the,
did not testify as the Spratts wished them
to-"
Commenting on the above the Butte Min.
ing Journal says: This is all bosh, n we
say so because we believe Mr.. Haupt has
made the statement for the purpose of try
ing to create sympathy, or influence some
one towards his way of thinking. Mr..
Spratt we have known personally for a
number of years, and he is a gentleman Of
whom we never heard a word spoken against
either socially or in business matters. and
We defy this man Haupt to prove anything
different.
The truth of the matter is Mr.. Spratt in
terested capital in the Trout creek placers
in Meagher county about four years ago
and on which they were running a bedrock
fume which has already cost them $3o0,00O
and employing a great many men. lilo has
also invested heavily in Madison county
quartz mines. also in tho Jefferson bar
piacers and a number of other ventures,
the amounts OF which would probably
reach close to $1,00o,OOO cold hard cash.
Several wears ago he obtained control of
Eldorado bar, the purchase of which cost
him in the neighborhood OF 500, 900. About
a year ago the power behind MIR. Haupt
could mention that MIR. Spratt was about
to sell the bar for a large figure, the first
payment being even then deposited in the
National bank of Helena. Several men in
the employ of Haupt Immediately left for
the bar, and as they claimed. Jumped" 1T.
Through lone powerful influence they sue
ceeded in having q contest entered in the
land office, and without being able them
selves to get any money or other valuable
consideration, they did stop the sale, and
we have no doubt but that a copy Of the
Inter Mountain containing Haupt's in
terview is at present on it's way
to London to influence any deal
that may be pending there. Mr.. Haupt, il
we remember right, is the man who made
an attempt some time ago to jump part Of
the city of Helena. and we think We have
also seen his name mentioned as having
trouble several times in the vicinity Of
Butte in regard to the jumping business.
1t is men of the Haupt stamp who do more
to keep outside capital from coming to our
state than any one reason, and for such
leeches we have no use. In this matter we
have no interest one way or the other, but
happen to know something of the case our
selves. and as Mr.. Haupt has seen fit to
publish his side of the case with such
assertions of fraud, we take the part of the
absent and make the story complete. When
Mr.. Haupt secures Eldorado bar it will
have to be with other means and tools than
those now employed.