The evening times., 1899-08-05
A LAND OF COPPER.
Romantic Story of Great Strike in
Utah'S MiIdS.

The richest copper belt in the world is said to
be in Utah. Ii was discovered more than forty five
years ago by Dr. William NJ Starr, who is of
Washington's Oldest and most prominent phya-
clans The last assay of ore from this great
copper belt gives copper 45 per cent, silver 26
per cent, gold 3.25 per cent, some lead, and
small percentage Of zinc
The story of the discovery OF this inexhaustible
mineral belt is peculiar and interesting. DIR.
Starr in his youth Was of a rowing disposition
and migrated from Ohio, the State of his birth,
to the gold fields of California. DIR. Starr made
this trip, which at the time was full Of risk, in
an OK wagon. In crossing northern Utah he
found that this long and peril9us trip had ex-
hausted himself and his faithful oxen. He con-
cluded, therefore, TO set stakes and camp until
such time he and his team should recover.
DIR. Starr had scarcely struck stake when there
came before him four small Indian girls, who
presented careworn and travel-stained appear
ance with their tattcrcd clothes and bleeding
feet. They showed evidence Of hunger and ia
tigue. DR.. Starr was then, as he Is now, "A
diamond in the rough,'' wearing his big heart
on his sleeve. His perceptiye eye was not long
In taking in the situation and he was socn di-
viding his seanty stock of blankets and food.
that he might gladden. the hearts Of these poor
little "Indian girls" They expressed their graf
itude for DR.. STAIRS kindness by offering him
some copper nuggets which they had gathered.
He gladly accepted the gift. These little giEts
being tired and sleepy, Dr. STAIR arranged beds
as best he could and about 10 tuck them
away fer the night, when the thought occurred
to him to learn if possible where these small
children had collected the nuggets. The Children
pointed in the direction Of the copper mines-
DIR. Starr impressed upon their young minds as
best he could that he wished TO know the dis
tance. They said, Two and One-haf sleep" A
sleep means night two and onehaH sleeps
meant two and one-half days thar IL would take
to reach the spot where they had found the
metal
Dr. starr realized that those men who went
prospecting On the Indians lands took their
lives in their hands. Under these circumstances
Dr. Starr was cautious He, however, KEEP,
In his mind what had occurred between himself
and the little indian girls.
A few years later DR.. Starr determined to con-
vince himself to the origin Of the copper
nuggets which had been given him, ard gong
on the principle that it i good general who
fortitfs before an engagement, be drove a
fersed stake in the ground, the better 10 hEd
the spot should he live 10 rtturn TO the wld5
of Utah. which country at that time was the
home eli the red man, whose abode nestled
among the Wooodad hills OF Jtah, which today
is an important State. and which viii IN time
rank among the-great States OF the West
Within Il few wears Dr. starr returned, and his
first steps we're TO md that for&sd stick Know
ing the geography OF the country well. h was
rot long III doing this, and alter travelling on
horseback and sometimes on foot for days, he
was rewarded by the discovery OF what thsn
seemed 10 be Il very rich copper belt Pieces Of
fine copper cropped Cut ali over the Land, as
thick wild field daisies in June
Preparatory 10 his departure DR.. Starr had
hlled small sack with copper ore and had
thrown it across his horses back lie was about
proceed bis journey, when he was COR
fronted by INDIAN chief and twelve buEly
warriors This caused the blood to stop IN the
pFospeetcr's veins and his fondest hopes 10 sink
The Indians knew that the country was rich IN
minerals, mostly copper. and after looking INTO
the bag they not long IN making up thsir
minds what Dr. STAIRS mission wss- They
hooked upsn him being dangerous HAD, and
better dead than alive After snort pow WOW
their verdict death DIR. Starr plenfed With
them spare his bfe, promising 10 leave their
lands 10, return. All his pleading was. al'-
parentIy. of no avail. When about to put their
mardere.is drsigns into execution. Dr. Starr was
attracted by Young and beautiful Indian maid,
who appeared tu be frantic. Rushing 10 the con-
denRed Just m time she stayed the fatal
tomahawk, which was being raised above
the doctor's head. She placed herself
between the wo4ild-be murderer and Dr. starr,
throwing her about the Ltters neck- This
caused halt The beautiful In,han gil ex-
planned To her father. who was the CHIEF, that
she recuEniZfu IN VICTIM MN WHO kES
years ago had stormy night given her alj
three companions food and rainIcnt and pliee
TO sleep. The OF this beantifll Indian girl
WIS Ear Of Germ. Her pleadiBgs bad the desired
effect and the captorS concluded 10 spare the
captive's life. but condition that he leave the
reservation in two days. Knowing the country
as the doctor did. he knew rhat he could not
clear the reservation N two days. HE pleaded
with them for two hours to give him three days.
and this was finally granted. Before leaving, he
cmptieti the contents of his bag on the ground.
1t the time saving, " No gold, no SILVER, 10
copper. no gcod.'' and proceeded to divide his
scantr store of itod vi5l, the h1dians. This inl-
pressed the Indian Chief and his braves much
ti,.t they gave him a guide across the reServa-
ton Years after this the doStcr returned again.
His first thought - find these fadiInS
if psssibIe lie esI,ecialy desired u see the ltle
Indian girl. Ear OF Corn. who had saved his hfp.
but he learned that they had all passed from
earth.
In this romantic and tragic way this great COP
per belt IN Utah discovered The ind waS
kept = prC found secret until recently, when
the copper craze became contagious, and nearly
the whole world seemed 10 be prospecting, for the
metal. IL was then that Or. Starr realized that
in this copper belt he lad something worth look
ing after. He sent Thomas II. Donoysn and other
experts to this part of the country 20 search for
Il copper bed and locate certain mining cia,rTs.
TEc result OF their lahors Is the very finest COP
per belt in the whole world. This statement *
verified by the Doctors experts and other pros
pectors-
Dr. Starr, being well advanced in years though
in perfect vigeF. realizes that he IS Re longer a
boy. He is man of means. AID could. if he so
desired. work the MINIS Very recently he con-
cluded to dispose of his copper claims When
this tact became Known his mail was full Of
letters from, all parts and frurI persHrs tCO who
had visited these claims. asking his terms Re
Gently he placed this valuable property In the
hands of Commodore O. P. HayEell. 1na Fl Street
northwest, Washington. d. c., to dispose OF The
commodore at once despatched experts 10 these
mines that he might knew their worth Alter re-
ceiDiEg the most glowing reports he concluded
TO buy, if price eouid be fixeJI that would sat
isfr him He made his intentions known to the
doctor and il was net long before the owner Of
this great copper belt had attached his name to
deed transferring all his interest tn Com
moSore Howell. who ia well and favorahly known
in Washington Commodore Howell is the in
ventor OF the Howell steel cross tie and nutiock.
Recently he discovered method by which the
many millions Of tens of fire coal laying at the
mines and thought 10 Inc good for nothing might
be made iEto hriquette, for which he received
patent May @. 1SJ0, and which the 9th
day cf the same month lie sold for 800 Go
AT present Mr. Howell has not announced any
plans. hEf those who nearest to him think he
will form company and stock il, thus ending
very Interesting chapter on copper.