The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-04-28
miscellaneous.
TWO TENDERFEET.


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
a time, however, when the old timer
looked upon the tenderfoot as an in
terloper and usurper.
Less than 10 years ago two bright
young fellows from New York arrived
in Colorado bearing letters of introduce
ton to the most prominent and veal
thy men in Denver. They were young
men of ample fortunes and announced
their intention of engaging in mining.
They did not desire to purchase a
mine. They wanted the excitement
of prospecting. They were hale and
hearty and were anxious for the ex-
perience of roughing it.
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, 100000.
Uncle Bill had all of the pioneer dis
like for tenderfeet, but these young
men were such manly, Independent
fellows that they soon found favor in
the old mans eyes, SO that one mcrn-
ing when they came to him and an
HOuIlCtO IilSlI IillCIltlOl1 vi SoII1SS W
Leadville to prospect for ''carbonates'
the old man gave them some very val
liable information. He told them of
locality where he was confident they
would find mineral. He shook them
warmly by the hand at parting, and
they promised to take his advice and
never to forget his great kindness.
Those boys have the right kind of
stuff in Them said Uncle Billy.
A month later he received a letter
from the boys. They had located
claim in the exact spot suggested by
him and had named the claim the
Uncle Billy i'll his honor They
were very sanguine of striking mineral,
and as Uncle Billy had given them a
pointer on this promising location
they felt that they ought to show their
application i'll some substantial way,
so they sent him a deed to a one-third
interest in the Uncle Billy mine.
Two months passed by, and Uncle
Billy received occasional letters from
his young tenderfeet friends. They
had not struck mineral, but they were
expecting to do SO any day.
A few weeks later Uncle Billy receiv-
ed the following telegram
New York, July 10, 1882.
10 Nlllam GOlCen, Denver, COlO.:
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 ac-
quainted their New York friends with
the fact. He had been purpoSely kept
in ignorance, so that they could buy
i'm out cheap. 1t was all clear to
Uncle Billy. He had been through a
number of mining transactions, but
he had never yet been done up by a
tenderfoot," as he expressed it.
He wired back:
DENVER July 10, 1882.
J. MADISON WRIGHT & Co., New York:
Icannot make figure without consulting
my partners, who are now in Leadville. II
| 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 aid fix lowest possible price. Eng
| lish capitalists waiting.
j. MADISON WRIGHT & Co.
The next night Uncle Billy arrived
| in LeadvilIe, and early the next morn
ing started for the mine. He had lit
| tie trouble in finding it, for tie fame
of the "Uncle Billy had quietly
spread through the camp.
"Haltr'
This challenge brought Uncle Billy
to a sudden standstill. 1t came from
a miner standing in front of the "Un-
Gle Billy shafthouse. AS he gave the
command he lowered a Winchester
rifle to enforce it if necessary.
A parley ensued. Uncle Billy learn
ed that the mine had been closed and
left under an armed guard. No one
was allowed ON the premises.
II am one of the owners of this
mine !" exclaimed Uncle Billy.
II can't halp that was the reply,
"you can't come any farther. I've
got my orders, and now you've got
yours. Keep off,"
where are young Jackson and Mil
ler?'
"In Denver"
Uncle Billy managed to get hand
| full of the dirt on the dump when the
sentry was not looking and made
dignified retreat.
II see how it isl he said these
Young tenderfeet 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.
1--WE are not anxious to sell, replied
Jackson 1--WE think we have pref
ty good thing, but if you want our in
terest you can have it for $4,000
cash."
Come in this evening" replied I'm
Gle Billy.
He at once wired J. Madison Wright
& Co.:
win take 100000 for Uncle Billy
mine'
The answer came promptly:
Terms satisfactory. Will leave for
Denver tonight" This telegram was
signed u. Madison Wright"
That evening William Golden gave
James Jackson a check for 100000
and received quit claim deed to the
property.
Then he waited for J. Madison
Wright. Four days passed. j. Madi-
son was due to arrive. A week clap
sed, and no J. Madison came.
Then Uncle Billy telegraphed the
firm of J. Madison Wright & Co. and
inquired about the delay. He receiv-
ed an answer that they did not know