The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-23
AN IDAHO MONTE CRISTO.
The Eccentric Owner of the Famous
Wilson Mine.

Wilson Mine.
Over in the mountains are the great mines OF
Idaho, and in particular the famous Wilson
mine. II formerly belonged TO Louis and Chris
tian Wahl of Chicago. from whom it was OBJ
tanned by J. R. de Lamar, 1.-The Monte Cristo of
Idaho" Lamar Is a Dutehman from Holland,
with red hair. He is Of small stature. with
shrewd, twinKlng eyes, large features and an
energetic, pushing manner, talks necessarily
on all subjects with equal fluency regardless of
his company, and telegrapts full account OF
all his doings each day 10 the Boise City States
man, prepaid.
He was sailor IN his youth, and graduated
as mate of brig that sailed between Rotrer-
dam and Java. Somehow or another he drifIed
10 Chicago and wOr, ed while III Lons Wahrs
glue factory. Then he was bartender aud
butcher, and there Is tradition that he man
aged sausage-shop for Time at the stock
yards. Next he turned up in the mines az
Silver City. Colo and had some good pros
ing the Wahl Brothers. his former en-
ployers. Then he came TO Idaho ana got
hold OF claim In Owyhee County belonging
70 man named Wilson. which the Messrs.
Wahl furnished the money 10 purchase, and
gave him half interest Tor his trouble. They
concluded to sell and let him have the properly
az MS own valuation. Some say 5000. some
$4,000 and some 100000. But whatever
the price. they accepted his notes, with mort
gage on the mine, and he dug out enough gold
during the next month to pay them. Within a
year Lamar sold half the property TO an English
syndicate for S2o0O,O00. Now, and for sew
600 a month and from his snare Mr.. Lamar re-
ceVes 4 steady income OF $1,000 day.
Inree winters ago the Monte CristO OF Idaho
appeared In Washington. and il was announced
that, having found fortune, he seeking a
Vile. He had sumptuous apartments at the
Shoreham, sDorted coach and four in hand,
and left a trail of g0ld wherever he travelled.
Russell Harrison introduced him into society,
and his coming out parry was dinner given
in honor OF Mrs. Harrison at the Arlington
Hotel, which was described In the greatest
detail by all the newspapers. There was
never but one banquet in Washington that
surpassed II. That was given by Andrew Car.
negie TO The members of the International
American conference. and cost $50 plate.
Mr.. Lamar had several members of the Cabinet
and some prominent social leaders as bis
guests who had never heard OF him until they
received the invitations, and the affair was the
sole topic or gossip for many day. One of the
novel features was gauZy net suspended from
the four corners OF the ceiling and so arranged
that when the host touched an electric button
at the close OF the dinner it separated In the
center <and covered the table with several
wagon loads OF flowers.
But even with this prlncely debut and the
rumors OF bis enormous wealth Mr.. LamaIs
social career in Washington was not a success.
he rented the Tyler mansion for the next sea-
son. but never occupied il, aud finally, shaking
the dust OF Washington from his Shoes went to
New York and married beautiful girl by the
name of Sands. She was only II, aud her
mother was widow who lived on Lexington
avenue.
After his marriage he bought a han dsome
house In the SWEETEST part OF Madison avenue
and yacht and now spends most of his timo
In New York. Once or twice year he returns
to Owyhee County TO look at the hole his money
comes from, but the people out here keen
posted concerning his movements tn rough the
newspapers. The mine is the most profitable
In the State ana its riches are said TO be mex
haustible.-Boise City Letter in Chicago Record