The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-11

to pay man to help him. for the hole
had become so deep he could no longer
throw the stun out with his iong-hapdlcd
shovel. He was compelled to put up a
windlass and have a man TO work II.
ALMOST DISCOURAGED.
Frequently he would give up and say
I'll quit" But his friends. the Irish
nen. would cheer him up and say: Go
on. man: 70 on. Yea may strike 1t the
next shovelful Put In one more shot and
see what II may uncover" And one day
the next shot did uncover something
1t uncovered the apex Of n cone that IL
almost pure gold. It's a pointed projec-
tile that some timc natures artillery had
aimed at tho earth's crust. and 1t had
como within less than n half hundred
feet Of tho surface. Here Stratton met
II squarely on tho point. 1t showed as
says OF from $500 clear up to sss.0Oo to
tho ton Of ore in gold. Stratton employed
skillful miner. They uncovered this
spreading cone. removed the solid rock
walls that had ages ago resisted the up
ward flight. until they could walk and
work around II, left Il standing n prec-
ious pile. the finest. the richest and alto
gcther the best "orc chute or blow out,
as the mines of Cripple Creek are called.
that has ever been uncovered on this con-
tinent
A mill run train load Of seven or
eight cars was shipped to Denver, and
for this Mr. Stratton received check
for siSo.0Oo, payable in gold. Within a
month after he struck the "ore shoot"
In the independence" mine nm English
syndicate offered him sS,ooo,o0o for his
mine He said why should sell TT
There seems to be plenty OF 1t there. more
than ! will ever want or need. When I
need dollars I can Just 20 there and take
them out and IT only costs me ic to get
each dollar out"
An expert who measured that part of
tho elbow OUT or "ore shoot already
exposed said there was $40, 0oo,c 900 in sight.
When Strntton got his check for the first
''inill run" he quickly paid the few dollars
he had been able TO get In debt, He gave
the old lady who had trusted him for
board as far as she felt business pru-
dence would allow her S5Oco-more money
than she had ever hoped to have In the
world. and now she Is suing him for
breach of marriage promise and for Sc
duction, asking for $1,000 damages. His
lawyer. SO 1t ia said, recommends n COM
promise; but Stratton says, mot cent;
It's bluckmail." and he vows he Will never
pay her anythlng--not because he liz sungy
about money, for he gives children on the
streets s. gold pieces, and even 500 bills
where they particularly strike HIS fancy
The other day he gave n young man $1,000
that the occupants OF the carriage. some
friends of his, were unhurt He gives
young ladies excursions TO California on
special trains of palace cars. When saw
him In Denver he occupied Il suite or Six
OF the most expensive rooms In the Brown
Palace hotel. and he says himself he IL
seeking in all ways to keep his income
from getting over 100000 per month. But
he is not making n vulgar display OF his
new found fortune, nor INDUCING IN rcck-
less expenditures He stu likes his drinks.
but he no longer dallics with the Iaos
lightning" and "sheep-hcrders' delight
that he was wont to indulge In before he
md the "orc shoot" formed partner
ship. He now drinks tho finest wines.
He Is a quiet little man, dresses In We'll
Citing but not expensive clothes, Affects
no tcwelry or ornament; n wide-brim, SOFT
felt hat covers HIS rather well-shaped iron
gray hair winter and summer. lie IL
smooth shaven, except gray mustache'
He has n maiden sister OF mature age who
seen,s to have unlimited influence with
him and for his good.
Hon. A. c. Smith of Indiana tolls me
he met Stratton In Denver a few weeks
ago. and he says OF him:
81 did not know Stratton In Indiana out
Frank Burke. now United states district
attorney for Indiana. did know him when
he lived IN Jefforsonviie. Burke said TO
mo: Tr YOU sec Stratton while you are
in Colorado do get acquainted with him
and remember me to him found him
man who. though his check in Denver Is
good for 100000 in gold at any time one
carries about that amount of deposit In
the Denver banks has not been spoiled
by this wonderful acquisition of wealth,
but really Is an unosteniatious, rather
Sensible little man. I am told that he
still likes to loaf and talk. and at times
get good and mellow over the cup that
cheers When / spoke TO him of Burke
he said why, Prank; OF course remem-
Der Frank How's he getting along? lie
Is good fellow. Tell him to come out
here and maybe I can do something for
him."