Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-06-16
DIDN'T mvEETA vANEER.
But Fruo was Fiusky and successful
Mine Operator.

William B. Frue was once a success
fui mining operator In the Lake
Superior country and subsequently in
Montana. He died In that state In
1880. His name would be forgotten
by most people save that 1t was be-
slowed on the celebrated vanner.
Most people think Frue was the in
ventor OF the machine, but he whsn't.
He possessed no inventive genious eK-
cept for making money. The invSn-
tion was made by German in Frue's
employ, at Portage, and was pur-
chased by Frue for a song and by him
patented.
Highly imaginative stories have
been printed and not long since be-
came current again about Frue's re-
markable career. While he is dcserv-
ing of praise for his pluck, determine
tion and sagacity In mining there are
other things besides the vanner that
are Incorrectly credited to him P.
b. Dillon, who knew Frue for score
or more years, gave the Marysville
Mountaineer a brief biography Of the
man.
According to his authority, Frue,
who was native Of Ireland, went to
the Lake Superior district in 1858 and
worked as a common miner in the
Peweebic mine. After working two
or three years, the mine was about to
close down for the want OF ore. Frue
leased the property and during the
winter worked the mine for all it was
worth. He discovered new leads,
and when navigation opened In the
spring had over 81, 900 worth Of ore on
the dump, after paying expenses.
When his lease expired he was made
superintendent Of the mine.
Then he married q Miss Adams Of
Hancock, Michigan, the daughter Of
the village shoemaker. At this time
he had little education. lie had DOW
established a reputation as a mining
man and soon after took the superin-
tendency Of the Portage mine and
made a success OF it. lie had book
keeper, named VIM. Noble, who inn
parted to him what education nc pos
sessed and was in his employ for
many years as confidential man.
Frue afterward obtained piece of
land through strategy, on which he
located the South Peweebic mine
which nearly bankruptcd him. His
next venture was in silver mining at
Silver Island, as the place was called.
In reality it was only a rocky reef in
the lake which was visible only in
calm weather, but over which the
water rolled when the wind blew.
Frue built two cribs around the rock
which were successfully washed away.
Finally, when his funds were almost
entirely exhausted, he got crib that
remained anchored and was soon en-.
gagged in taking out almost pure ma
tive silver that brought him millions
before the mine was worked out.
L.. G. Trent, now of Salt Lake City,
who Is general Western manager 'oI
Fraser & Chalmers, the great mining
aud milling machinery manufactur
ers, Of Chicago, was friend Of Fruc
Trent, who went to Narysville in 1878
visited the Penobscot mine at a time
when Nate Vestal was taking out orr
from one Of the richest strikes, eve
made in the mine. Specimens Of thu
ore were given to Frue 10y Trent WHIT
became interested and purchased thu
mine for s45O,O0O. lie worked tn,
property for a number ofyears. Th
Penobscot and also the Belmont mine
which now belongs to the Frue estate
we're for a long time under Trent
management. They we're big pre-
ducers.