Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-04-16
srsr rRInrrn ro MIxnms.

i The avocation Of mining and pros
pecting appears generally more con-
dusivc to the liberal development Of
Kindness and sympathy in the
breasts Of men, than any other pro-
fession or calling. Considerable and
noble acts are performed by all
classes Of people, but too frequently
they are the results Of inspiring oc-
casions, rather than an inherent
sympathy for the unfortunate, or
pure, unconscious generosity. There
are two doubtlessly well-grounded
reasons for the strong growth of this
desirable 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 so aptly put in
the line ''fellow feeling makes us
wonderous kind"
Regarding the first, remarks the
Denver Mining Industry, much can
he sa d to the credit of the mining
business in comparison with other
enterprises. Success in mining
means the absolute production of
wealth, without the intervention of
others-the direct addition to the
worlds commercial accumulation.
In pursuing the industry one ac-
quircs that only which nature has
stored up and destined for mans
use, and not a portion of the pro-
duet Of other hands. as in manufac-
} turing and business. There is little
, of the close bargaining and trading
in mining, an element that carries
with its success more or less sell
tishness and expands the grasping
and avaricious nature of man.
When a rich strike has been made
| and wealth rolls in upon the miner,
b
ing that he alone is entitled to ii,
and that it is natures rccompense
for his energy and industry, and not
shave upon the toll of others. In
all other avocations. where large
fortunes are amassed, they are at
the expense of some one else. Tie
, merchant makes his profits from his
, patrons, the la yer from his clients
and the doctor from his patients;
the latter two, moreover, can only
gain something through the misfor-
. tune of others. Quite contrast to
the source of the miners accumula-
! tons.
No one has ever heard of a feeling
of jealousy engendered by lucky
. strike, and a sudden transformation
of miner to the position of BIO
/ nanza king. All his old friends, and
frequently his enemies, if he has
any, rejoice with him. 1t does not
change the relations between them.
except that one possibly becomes a
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 for
tunate searcher after streak of ore
The sympathy extended to the un.
lucky miner when he states that the
pay streak has disappeared and his
8 ore is lost. is as sincere and honest
' as ever-the words of encourage.
! ment possibly more earnest than be-
fore. The feeling of solicitude for
the success and welfare among min.
ers is universal, and no harder is
!, ever so greatly impoverished but
: that it can still spare little some.
thing for one more needy. Let tho
!. suspicion gain ground that minel
Y or prospector is lost or disabled, and
$ the whole camp will turn out to hi,
n rescue and work continuously until
t he is found and relieved Even the
( most obnoxious and worthless char.
acters receive this consideration anl
7 kindness when in need, while as foI
D women and children, they are al
Y ways free from need and protection
e in mining community. One who
has lived in mining camps and wit.
messed the scenes only can know
how much kind and charitable
work is done almost daily, and the
frequency of appeals for help and
alacrity with which a generous re
5 sponse follows.
f While the absence of many of the
D elements calculated to render others
selfish is the leading cause for the
: good traits in miners, it is probable
that further incentive exists in thu
knowledge that misfortune might
come to the most independent \
man may have many friends in a
mining district. but rarely a rela-
tive. The latter are away in the
east, or long since dead, and his
friends and acquaintance are looked
!. to and depended upon in the hour
\ Of need. And in a calling so dan,
, gerous and fraught with so much
exposure and consequent sickness
and disability, il is pleasant to know
that one has east plenty of bread
upon the water, which is usually
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