The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-02
WHO LAUGHED LAST,
The "Uncle Billy" Mine, and How
1t Planned Out.

The cold timer" in Colorado has a supreme
contempt for tenderfeet--or newcomers. This
feeling is gradually dying out, but it will never
be wholly extinct until the last old timer has
passed lover the range" There was time,
however, when the old timers looked upon the
tenderfoot as an interloper and usurper.
Less than ten years ago two bright young
fellows from New York arrived in Colorado,
bearing letters of introduction to the most
prominent and wealthy men in Denver. They
were young men of ample fortunes, and an
nounced their intention of engaging in mining.
They did not desire to purchase mine They
wanted the excitement of prospecting. They
were hale and hearty and were anxious for the
experience of roughing.ft.
Among others to whom they brought letters
of introduction was Uncle Billy Golden. an
old timer, who had struck it rich in Leadville,
and was rated financially at So. 0o0 900.
Uncle Billy had all of the pioneer dislike for
tenderfeet but these young men were such
manly. Independent fellows that they soon
found favor in the old mans eyes, so that
one morning when they came to him and
announced their intention Of going to Lead
Vile to prospect for "carbonates" the old man
gave them some very valuable information.
He told them of locality where he was con f.
dent they would find mineral. He shook them
warmly by the hand at parting, and they
get his great kindness.
"Thoss boys have the right kind of stuff in
them" said Uncle Billy.
monthlater he received letter from the
boys. They bad located claim in the exact
spot suggested by him, and had named the
claim the Uncle Billy" in his honor. They
were very sanguine of striking mineral. and as
Uncle Billy had given them "pointer" on this
promising location. they felt that they ought
to show their appreciation in some substantial
way, SO they sent him deed to a one-third in
terest in the "Uncle Billy" mine.
Two months passed by and Uncle Billy re-
ceived occasional letters from his young ten
derfoot friends. They had not struck mineral,
but they were expecting to do SO any day.
A few weeks later Uncle Billy received the
following telegram:
NEW YORK, July 10, 1892.
To William Golden, Denver. Co..:
What will you take for the "Uncle Billy"
mine? Spot cash. Answer quick.
J. MADISON WRIGHT & Co.
This telegram set Uncle Billy to thinking.
He reasoned that the boys had struck it in this
mine and had acquainted their New York
friends with the fact. He had been purposely
kept in ignorance, so that they could buy him
out cheap. 1t was all clear to Uncle Billy. He
had been through number of mining trans
actions, but he had never yet been "done up
by tenderfoot." as he expressed 1t.
He wired back:
DENVER. July 10, 1892.
j. Madison Wright G Co., Ne,0 York:
] cannot make figure wthout consulting
my partners, who are now In I4eadyille. IF you
want my one-third interest wire me and will
name price.
WILLIAM GOLDEN.
That night came the answer:
Must have the entire property. See your
partners and fix lowest possible price. English
capitalists waiting.
]. MADISON WRIGHT & Co.
The next night Uncle Billy arrived in Lead
vile and early the next morning started for
the mine. He had little trouble in finding it,
for the fame of the Uncle Billy" had quietly
spread throughout the camp.
s"Halt!"
This challenge brought Uncle Billy to
sudden standstill. 1t came from a miner stand
ing in front of the Uncle Billy" shaft house.
As he gave the command he lowered . Win
chester rife to enforce it If necessary.
A parley ensued. Uucle Billy learned that
armed guard. No one was allowed on the
premises.
AZ am one of the owners Of this mine - ex.
claimed Uncle Billy.
~ can't help that" was tho reply. "You
can't come any further I've got my orders and
now you've got yours. Keep Off"
Where are young Jackson and Miiler?"
"In Denver"
Uncle Billy managed to get handful of the
dirt on the dump when the sentry was not
looking and made digniied retreat.
:" see how it is" he said, "these young ten.
derfcet are trying to do me up. I'll show 'em
trick with hole in it,"
He hurried back to Denver and found young
Jackson, one of the co.owners of the "Uncle
Billy" mine
"How much do you and Miller want for
your INTEREST,"" asked Uncle Billy.
We are not anxious TO sell, replied Jack
SOD. We think we have pretty good thing
but il You want our interest you can have it
for 100000 cash."
Come in this evening" replied Uncle Billy.
He at once wired J. Madison Wright & Co.:
"Wil take 100000 for Uncle Billy mine"
The answer came promptly:
Terms satisfactory. Will leave for Denver To-
night
This telegram was signed ~. Madison
Wright"
That evening William Golden gave James
Jackson check for $780, 900 and received .
qut-claim deed to the property.
Then he waited for j. Madison Wright. Four
days passed. j. Madison was due to arrive. A.
week elapsed and no ]. Madison came
Then Uncle Billy telegraphed the firm of ].
hhuisoH ViISuC " 70 anu inquired ABOUT the
delay. He received an answer that they did
not know to what delay he referred. Explana-
tions followed and Uncle Billy learned that no
telegram had been sent him by the firm of J.
Madison Wright & Co. "If any such were
sent they were forgeriss," the telegram con-
cluded.
"Buncoed !" exclaimed Uncle Billy, and by
nderfeet, too."
James Jackson and John Miller were sitting
on the veranda of quaint little hotel in the
south of Franco in the early Summer of 1884.
A bottle OF wine and a box of cigarets were on
the table Miller was laughing uproariously.
You ought to have seen the look on the old
mans face, said Jackson, as he lighted cigaret,
when l gave him the deed. He actually
thought he was doing us up in great style. I
would have liked to have seen him when he got
into that sand bank, which we called mine"
suppose he has found out by this time
that sent those kilograms" said Miller, as he
raised glass of wine to his lips Oh, well,
he continued, when he had drained the glass,
F." it was only 800, 600 and he has more left,
while we will soon have to go to work again,
for We have only SIS 0O0left. Why, what is the
matter, old man ?" he suddenly asked, as no
observed bis companion gazing At London
paper, his face pale, and his hand trembling
What is the matter, old manf Are they after
us2"
Read 1t, replied Jackson.
Miller picked up the paper and read: The
Denver Tribune records wonderful mining