The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-04-16

COuO OCkv0 W VIC AAOVA "a OCV0IVR~
ment Of kindness and sympthy in
the breasts of men than any other
profession or calling. Considerate
and noble acts are performed by all
classes of people. but too frequently
they are the results of inspiring occa-
sions, rather than an inherent SYM
pathy for the unfortunate, or pure
unconscious generosity. There are
two doubtlessly well-grounded rea-
sons for the strong growth of this
characteristic in the miner.
One is the comparative absence of
competition or the gain of wealth
by one person at the expense of an
other, and the other 30 aptly put in
the line "Fellow feeling makes US
kind"
Regarding the first, much can be
said to the credit of the mining in-
dustry in comparison with other
Success in mining
means the absolute production of
without the intervention of
others; the direct addition to the
commercial accumulation.
In pursuing the industry one ac-
quires that only which nature stored
up and destined for mans uee, and
not a portion of the product of other
hands, as in manufacturing and bus
mess. There is little Of the close
bargaining and trading in mining,
an element that carries with its sue
cess more or less sel6shness and ex-
pands the grasping and avaricious
nature of man. When a rich strike
has been made and wealth rolls in
upon the miner, he can enjoy it con-
tentedly, knowing that he alone is
entitled to it, and that tits natures
for his energy and in
dustry, and not . shave upon the toll
of others. In all other avocations,
where large fortunes are a1nassed,
they are at the expense of some
one else. The merchantmakes his
profits. from his patrons, the lawyer
lfom hisclients and the doctor from
his patients; the latter two, more
over, can only gain something
through the misfortunes Of others.
Quite q contrast to the source of
the miners accumulations.
No one has ever heard of feel
ing Of jealousy. engendered by q
lucky strike, and the sudden trans
of a miner to the position
Of bonanza king. All his old
friends, and frequently his enemies,
if he has any, which is rarely the
case, rejoice with him. It does not
change the relations between them,
except that one possibly becomes q
more generous lender, and the other
a heavier borrower, and instead Of
candles or a chunk of bacon, money
is now forthcoming for the less
fortunate searcher after streak of
ore. The sympathy extended to
the unlucky miner when he states
that the pay streak has disappeared
and his ore is lost, is as sincere and
honest as ever, the words of encour-
agement possibly more earnest than
before. The feeling of solicitude
for the success and welfare among
miners is universal, and no larder
is ever so greatly impoverished but
that it can still spare little some
thing for one more needy. Let the
gain ground that q miner
or prospector is lost or disabled,
and the whole camp will turn out to
his rescue and work continuously
until he is found and rescued. Even
the most obnoxious and worthless
characters receive this considera-
ton and kindness when in need,
while as for women and children,
they are always free from need and
in q mining community.
One who has lived in mining camps
and witnessed the scenes only can
know how much kind and charita-
ble work is done almost daily, and
the frequency of appeals for help
and slacrity with which a generous
follows.
While the abeence of many Of
The elements calculated to render
others selfish is the leading cause
fer the good traits in miners. 1t is
probable that = further incentive
exists in the knowledge that mis-
fortune might come to the most in
dependent. A man may have many
in a mining district, but
rarely . relative. The latter are
away in the east, or long since dead,
and his friends and acquaintanees
are looked to and depended upon
in the hour Of need. And in call
ing so dangerous and fraught with
30 much exposure and consequent
sickness and disability, it 10 pleas
ant to know that one has cast plenty
Of bread upon the water, which is
usually returned many fold when
The situations of the donor and
beneficiary are reversed.
AZ . fact typical mining camp
comes nearer being m ideal COM
institution than anything
now in practical operation. The in
1ustrious and deserving are always
provided for without question Of
recompense, and thee j. constant