Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-03-23
GOLD MINERS NOT RICH.
It IL Only the Spectators, a. q Ru1'
Who Make the Fortunes.

It IL Only the Spectators, a. a Rule,
Who Make the Fortunes.
Few discoverers of rich gold mines
have remained wealthy. The specu-
lator or syndicate schemer, who re-
mains at home and takes none of the
hardships, is the one who becomes
millionaire. In the early COS a pros
pector from Virginia, commonly known
among miners as "Virginny," discov-
cred a rich mine in Nevada and bis
name was given to Virginia City. An
other prospector, named Comstock, dis
covered another rich mine further up
the gulch, and the district was called
the "Comstock Lode" Both men died
poor, after being swindled out Of their
rich finds"
whose fortunes were built upon the
misfortunes of these men.
A decade later four men unearthed a
"bonanza," which is an italian sailors
phrase for fair wind" These two
mines yielded about $500, 600, 900, and
developed four BONANZA kings
Flood, Mackay, Fair and O'Brien.
These were shrewd enough, however,
to hold on to their fortunes, some OF
them relaxing their grip only when
death claimed them
A few years later two prospeetors
named Ritchie and Tabor discovered q
rich mine in Colorado near the noun
tain village of Leadville. Tabor was
postmaster, and also sold to other min
ers four, bacon and whisky at extreme
ly high prices. After getting out few
hundred thousands Ritchie sold to Ia
Dor for S5OO,OOO. Tabor then uncov-
cred several millions, with which he
built opera houses and hotels. He was
elected to the United States Senate,
and lived a life Of extravagant ease.
Domestic difficulties came upon him,
and he settled princely fortune upon
the wife from whom he was divorced.
Later, financial trouble came upon him,
and to-day he Is prospecting Ia Arizona
with a pick and shovel.
Nearly a decade later a proepector
named Creede (knOwn In the West as
Harvey discovered q rich mine in
Southern Colorado and called 1t
"Creede" After taking out three or
| four millions he quit and went to Los
Angeles. He, too, was victim OF do
nestle trouble and recently committed
! suicide, although there was nothing
dishOnorable in his actions so far as
has ever been learned.
| A few years later prospector known
as CRAZY" Bob Wornack located sew
eral claims in Poverty Gulch," under
the shadow of Pixies Peak. Mining
experts had passed over the ground and
J had given 1t out as their wise dctum
that It was impossible from the forma-
ton Of that country for gold to exist
there. Bob Wornack thought other
wise, and gave mines to his friends
who would prospect them; other claims
be sold for supplies and small sums OF
money. Finally he sold his only re-
naming claim for few thousand dol
lars. He WAS now rich and wanted no
more. This claims turned out millions
and Poverty Gulch'' became Cripple
Creek, the richest mining district In
the United States or in the world al
that time. All Of those to whom Cray
Bob WornaQk" had given claims f0I
small sums became miliionaires, and
Bob again became poverty stricken
And now he has dropped from view. II
living. perhaps Bob win turn up in the
Kiondike!
Such Is the romance and poverty oi
rich strikes Ia the far West.
However, these mining booms settle
the waste places and rid the more civ
ilized sections of their idle immora
and criminal element. In q mining
camp there Is generally ten Of this class
to one thrifty, honest man. After th'
prospeotors come the speculaters, theI
the thieves, gamblers and confidence
operators. Those who strike 1t rich re
turn to the cities and become Pfomi
nen* men. The others remain, and il
time evolve a society which disOwn'
it's aneestry.-ChicaeoT Times Herald.