The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-11
WIZARD OF THE GOLD MINES
One Man Who Knows All the Secrets of the
Ores

Deadwood, S. D., July 10-Just how
much Buffalo Bits romantic exhibition
OF the old Deadwood stage coach, with the
realistic attack by the Indians and the
timely rescue by the cowboys of the
plains, mas contributed to the fame of
this great mining town, it is difficult to
say BY the men who were pioneers IN
this region Colonel Cody's portrayal is
regarded as true TO life in the early
days, which were full of privations, per
lis and adventures. The Indians were
hostile and disputed the rightof the pros
pectors to enter the hills in search Of
gold Many good man succeeded in
Guiding the watchful Indians long enough
10 I'LL his belt with gold from the placer
pans only TO give up his life as a PEN
atty for his intrepidity. Not until 1876
did The whites in any considerable num-
bers penetrate the wilds of the rugged
hills. Many remarkable characters
drifted into the diggings and the lives
they led and the deeds enacted earned
FOR them a renown which must endure
70 the end Of time.
A recital Of the story of recent DIS
coveries in the Ragged Top district Is no
less sensational than was the first news
of discovery OF rich placer deposits way
back in 20. Then il was hazardous
Undertaking to go into he hills: now the
trip form Omaha TO Deadwood. the CEN
ter of the richest mining region in the
United States. is made in palace cars
over one Of the trunk lines Of railways.
The first stories Of these later discov-
cries were not widely credited Even
the railroad managers were unwilling to
rely upon current reports in determin-
ing whether TO build branch lines into
the Ragged Top district. They knew that
rich ore had been found there. but they
could not be certain that the district
promised to afford traffic enough TO war
rant the expense of'construction of stub
lines until experts had made thorough
Inspection of the district So the two
great railway companies whose lines
penetrated the hills pooled issues and en-
ployej DR.. A W. S. Rothermel. min
ing engineer who possesses a most won
derful faculty for locating ore deposits
with unerring accuracy. The doctor
made a thorough inspection of the dis
trict and upsn his report the railroads
determined 70 build their tracks
Time has abundantiy justified the doc
tors predictions. He says there are
millions yet awaiting the miner in the
Black Hills. The work he did and the
prophecy he made are largely resp0nsi-
Die for the general revival OF the min
Mg industry in this region.
Yet the future greatness Of the Black
Hills mining district does not rest upon
the testimony of DR.. Rothermel alone
II is indeed the richest hundred miles
square in the world" Us wonders may
not be known 70 the world al large. but
Il cannot be long until its fame shall
spread into every hamlet Of the United |
States.
The activity OF the citizens through |
out the hills in the movement to put a |
great exhibit in the mines building of |
the Mississippi and International |
Exposition al Omaha next year promises
the highest degree of success. Every dis |
trict in the hills will be fully represent |
ID Mass meetings with this object in !
view have been held in every mining 1
district in the hills within tfe past month. |
DR. Rothernel is veritabie wizard |
IF the mines He is known 70 the min> |
ers OF Colorado quite as we'll as he is 10 |
.be men Of the Black Hills. HIS almost /
gifts have Won for him /
fame and fortune and he is in great de-
mand in mining circles all over the west |
Today ne is here, engaged in most i'm |
work and promises another sem
ga ton before he leaves again 10 enter
upon the performance OF large con-
trac. on a claim in the faT-famed Camp |
mckinney in British Columbia.
H.s most notable work in this region |
vas on the Holy Terror property The
svners of this mine, which had prs |
iuced large quantities Of valuable ore. |
uare in despair by reason OF the fact
tina. the vein which run along the cage
al the chain struck off into the ad1oln-