The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-08
NEWS AND GOSSIP OF TIE MINING WORLD.
and croszcut. Assays range from 80
Z.
NOT ONE In A THOUSAND.
Very Few Men Have the Quaithcn-
lions to become successful
Prospectors.

III a man loves adventure" says VIII
Sparks in Ainsiee's. he can md noth-
ing that viii offer so much to satisfy his
passion as a life Of mining and prospect
Ing. The prospector is the adyenturer
par excellence OF the Rockies. From the
moment he starts upon his career in the
mountains leaving behind him Inn, ne e, col OF
shanties. known as the city, adven-
lures greet him at every turn As he
picks his way through wilderness OF
meager trail far behind. ever on the
lookout for faint sign Of the outcrop-
ping Of the precious metal, his passage Is
almost sure TO be disputed by wild beasts.
But what an excitement there Is in seek
ing for gold, IT Is stronger and more in
tense than that of the gambler at the
green table stalking his last dollar on the
turn Of a card. The prospector may be
penniless, he may have put hi. las. cent
into the grub that Is now fastened onto
the back OF his burro: yet one stroke OF
his pick Is likely to uncover treasure that
viii transform him into a millionaire. He
sits down to a meager meal cooked over
a rude fire between few stones, but all
the time feels about him the presence
OF gold Perhaps his fire is built on ne
end OF ledge that Is 'chockfnlr OF gold;
ping that is simply covered with small
stones; perhaps there ~ gold beneath the
big tree Just acress the ravine. Gold may
be everywhere. II he can only hnd II. lie
l.
And 30 he goes on. scaling the Hottest
peaks, where snow lies 81 the year
around, and even his heavy blankets are
not sufficient to keep him warm at night,
diving into all sorts OF caverns and riffs
IN the rocks. exploring the caves, only
perhaps to be chased out by Wild beast
occupants Drawing a thousand dangers
that he may find the means OF passing
the rest OF his days in ease
And how does II all end? In most
cases the daring prospector who sets out
alone meets his death miles and miles
away from any human being. How no.
body ever knows His bones may never
be found He disappears as completely
as last winters snow.
But should the prospector strike II
rich his adventures will 60 on as long
as he remains I'm the Rocky mountains.
IL his find IL worth anything as "A poor
mans claim he win put up rude cabin
and 20 to digging, conccaiing what gold
he takes out In a place secret TO him
self But he will have TO guard II all the
time for covetous miners who are not
so fortunate would not hesitate to take
his life II they could get possession OF his
little pile of yellow metal His rife must
be his constant companion, and he must
be ready to use II at the first sign At
night he must sleep With one eye open.
" a stranger approaches the cabin ne
must be ready 10 dispute his right to be
there. The few years a man may put IN
at this kind OF life are most wearing,
and. should the pfospector conquer all
risk and get back TO his native town
with pile his friends will look upon
him as an old man. though he Is still un-
der 20. Only the unknowing ones VIII
envy his fortune.
1.-THE man who works IN the developed
mines is also having adventurous expe-
rlence all the time. The tunnels, shafts
and drifts are liable at any moment 10
cave In and bury the worker under tons
Of rock. Or perhaps he may be impris-
t.sl4h al NJ
many days Of horrible suffering in dark
ness and silence"