The San Francisco call., 1896-11-23

Eon ano corolai support. Mrs. Llchau
and Mrs. Cramer, as bona tide miners who
are actively interested in several valua BILE
properties located in Calaveras County
will hencetorth enjoy exactly the same
rights and privileges as the male
mem bers of the association. Virtually,
therefore, very considerable and influen-
tial section of the community has accepted
the fundamental principles of woman's
suffrage.
Mrs. Lichau, who took the initiative in
this radical departure, is the wife of DR..
Ernst Lichau of 423 Geary street. DR..
Lichau, Mrs. Lichau, Mrs. Cramer and w.
G. Drown are JOINT owners of the claims
known as the Golden Star, the Bullseye
and the Amelia gravel claims, Angels
Camp, Calaveras County. From the doc
tor it was learned yesterday that these
claims are not far away from tho famous
Utica mine, and that the ore is almost
identical in quality with that of the latter.
Recent assays gave $50 and $12 73 to the
ton. On the Golden Star the shaft is al
ready down 100 feet, and will be tapped by
tunnel, 200 feet of which has already
been com pleted. Mr.. Drown, who is SUI
perintending the work, was formerly con-
nected with the Utica and other compa-
nies, and is in every respect an expert
enced miner.
Mrs. Lichau, who helped her husband
to supply the foregoing particulars, added !:
Both Mrs. Cramer and myself have re-
Gently returned from a trip to Mexico.
! which, however, had nothing to do with
| our mining interests. Soon after our ar
| rival in San Francisco we again get out
! for Angels Camp, where we stayed about
a week and roughed it with the best-fre-
| quently taking hand In the actual work
of development. My husband attended
almost every meeting of the Miners Con-
| vention. which has just closed, and on
| one occasion l was an interested witness
of its proceedings"
But the role of spectator could not Ion q
satisfy one of Mrs. Lichau's energy and
determination. So 1t was that last Friday
evening she waited on Secretary Sonntag
and asked to be admitted to mem bership.
"Mr. Sonntag," continued she, certainly
seemed surprised, but after satisfying
himself that my claim was genuine, he
said that to his knowledge there was
nothing in the constitution of the associa-
ton excluding women from its ranks, and
expressed himself as only too GLAD to
grant both myself and friend a certificate.
~ have always taken deep interest in
mining and read all the literature avail
able on the subject. l lately discontinued
the Chronicle In favor of THE CALL, be-
cause THE CALLS articles are SO much
more exhaustive and sympathetic. Be-
yond the mining news l read scarcely any,
thing else in the papers. / am, of course,
an enthusiastic advocate Of Cabinet rep.
resentation."
Mrs. Lichau stated that several other
ladies OF her acquaintance are sharehold-
ers in mining properties, and in this con-
nection she sincerely hoped that the press
recognition of her own and her friends
pie would stimulate them to follow
it. Mrs. Lichau is at present making
preparations for a protracted stay at
Angels Camp, whittier her husband pro-
ceeds to-day. II feel" said she, ''that nv
real interests are concentrated in these
claims and am tired of doing nothing"
Physically, it may be added. Mrs. Lichau
is admirably qualified to pursue her am
bition. She Is in the prime of life and the
picture of vigorous health.
Julian Sonntag was subsequently, inter-
viewed by CALL reporter and confirmed
the story as related by Mrs. Lichau.
..Those ladies, 'said he, ARE to the best of
my knowledge the pioneer lady certiticated
miners OF this State, though in other por-
tions of the Union have frequently en-
countered experienced lady miners, more
particularly in Colorado. I met one in
1898 at the Windsor Hotel, Denver, who
actually operated mine employing sew
enty-fiye men. She was well versed in
metallurgy and was an expert mineraIo-
gist. But Mrs. Lichau and Mrs. Cramer
are the first to whom / have issued certifi-
Gates"
President Neff, Mr.. Sonntag stated. has
not vet made up his committees. He is
devoting more time to the work this year
than heretofore, but will make his selec-