The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-26
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trict at the head of the south fork of the

trict at the head of the south fork of the
Sank.
It begins to snow up here. you know,
rather early in the season. And keeps at
1t with zeal and pertinacity that would
be most commendabie in almost any other
line of work, until late in the spring. So
it was late in April when this party re-
turned, and cutting down through the
snow put up the first building in Monte
Cristo, the "'76 Cabin" It is interesting
to hear the story of that trip as I heard it,
in the graphic narration of the chief of the
party. The 1910 Cabin" the original. is
about a mile above Monte Cristo, in about
the middle of big basin. perched up on
the bank of '76 creek as quaint as you like.
I would guess it about fifteen feet square,
a solid, well built log cabin, rooted with
shakes. In one corner of this roof there
is a generous hole for chimney, through
which the stars shine and the snow comes
at night, and pile of rocks for a fire.
place. Two tiers of hunks and table
about divide the remaining space, though
l don't know but the table is a recent
importation or continuance. You couldn't
truthfully say that the place had all the
comforts of home; nevertheless, here slept,
ate, smoked, snapped stories, got up to
see the sun Chamber out of the East three
hours late each morning, eight or nine
men, and finally found here the greatest,
the catchiest and happiest name ever given
to mining camp.
There are several traditions of how
Monte Cristo got it name. But there is no
doubt that the credit for that pat and
pleasing idea belongs to J. NJ. Wilmans.
One story runs that after the discovery of
the great Pride of the Mountains ledge
three or four of the party went over to ex-
plore it. Toilsomely tracing the wide,
bold outcrop up the mountain side for
more than 1900 feet to its summit, which
commands a view of the whole country,
grasping with an effort the enormous
quantity of ore that lay buried beneath,
Wilmans exclaimed: "Boys, by the gods,
the world is oursr' and then SOLDERING
down, as though the matter was settled:
well call the district Monte Cristo,"
and they did.
I can't vouch for the story, and I've
heard aaother which has the very danger
Gus element of prosiness. 1t was that as
the district was explored the need of q
name became apparent, and one night
council was held to find a name. Each
man had suggestion, none doubtless very
new or very original. Then 'Mac" Will
mans sprung Monte Cristo." That
settled it. The idea was as sharp and
bright as brand new dollar.
But no matter. The name conjured up
visions of fortunes great as Rockefeller's
lying in every gulch or sticking up from
every ledge, and it .'went."
Well, the rest of the story is short
matter. The fact of Monte Cristo's wealth
being locked in as in mountain fastness;
the need of a railroad and capital for it;
how the Colby-Hoyt syndicate bought into
the mines and is building the needed iron
thread. don't know whether it will be
readily grasped what labor Of Hercules
or Sisyphus toiling up Hill it has been to
open up this district, but if ever credit was
earned or wealth deserved, they have been
achieved by the Wilmans brothers in the
development of Monte Cristo. c. S.