The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-01

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBIJC.
With the death Of l.. II. Runsey eight
d the Oldest Granite Mountain millionaires
have gone hence. leaving but an equal
number Of the original ones to tell the
wondrous tale of the fabulous wealth Of
that mine. Those who have died are
Samuel Gaty Eohn Il. LlOnberger. Louis
Duestrow. Jesse January, Charles TaIssig,
Oliver y. FiIIey and ANDY Warren. The
survivors are Charles Clark, e. d.
Mcclure, Moses Rumsey. Edwin Har-
rison. A T. Shapieigh and August b.
Ewing. There We're others. who came in
later in the game and likewise grew
wealthy. Among the latter the late VIII
Liam II. Waters was a conspicuous figure.
There are those TO whom Granite Noun
tain stock came a present from gener-
oss friends True. it was not worth ruch
at the time 1t was given, but the donors
had faith in it when they bestowed the
bundle of stock and proved their faith by
developments. Mr.. Charles Clark gave
some of his stock 10 his lifelong friend
Doctor J. H. Mckellops. Doctor T. Girls
void Comstock, it is said, took some of
the stock in lieu Of fee, and never re-
GREETED II. Mr.. William II. WaterS's house
keeper, a most excellent Irish woman. in
vested part OF her savings through her en-
ployer. and died some years ago possessed
OF wealth.
On the other hand there were those who
might have gotten in on the ground floor
but they had lost heart through previous
Improbable mining speculations.
One Of the latter is Mr.. John Z. Pitcher
vice president % the Simmons Hardware
Company. He still tells the story Of his
close shave. Mr.. Pitcher was on his way
hast from Salt Lake City. where It was
his custom to sell large bills Of goods TO
the lions Cooperative Mercantile Associa-
ton. who were his principal customers in
that part of the country. lie was accom-
panied by his little daughter. Carrie now
Mrs. William Allison. On the train with
them was Mr.. Charles CIa,k, who had ac-
Qutred the rich property while he resided
in Philipsburg, Mont. the superintend-
ent OF the old Hope Mining Company.
Mr. Clark told Mr.. Pitcher Of his &C.
QUESTION and of the good -hings he believed
the mine held in store for investors. He
, urged him to come in and buy at least
few shares for his daughter. but Mr..
slcher declined the offer.
The late Frank Carter OF the Hope Mu-
.uaI Insurance Company is another of those
who missed a fortune by hair. Il is
said that friend. who Vas hard up. Of
fered to sell him his holdings for 10 cents
q share, but be would not take the bait
A Granite Mountain fortune was also
in the grasp of Mr.. L. c Simmons through
his friend and partner, Mr.. Waters. lie,
too. had had enough I'm those days OF min
Ing uncertainties and preferred TO sell
hardware to putting up assessments.
Hope Transferred 20 Granite Noun
tain.
The original directors OF the Granite
Mountain Mine were also the directors and
stockholders OF the Hope Mining Company,
one Of the first enterprises Of its kind in
which a BODY of St. Louis capitalists took
interest.
The Hope paid occasional dividends. but
ate up more in assessments than it gave
forth in fortunes. The directors were much
disgruntled over the Improbable outcome
OF their speculation. when Mr.. Charles Clark
came East with the new proposition. He
had been about Philipsburg for some time.
working on the Hope. His brother-in-law.
Nr. Charles d. Mcclure. Joined him. and
Together they prospec;eG about the country.
A claim known as Granite Mountain Lode,
located early as 1872, but never worked
successfully, was acquired by Mr.. Mcclure
The claims were thought to be good pros
poets" but inaccessible.
After granting Mr.. Clark the right TO
sell all his interest in the property, Mr..
Mcclure came back to St. Louis, never
dreaming of the fortune that awaited him.
Mr.. Clark thought better OF 1.-The pros
poets" In December, 1850. he came TO ST.
Louis for the purpose OF interesting some
Of his moneyed friends in the development
of the mine AS said before. the disgruntled
directors of the old Hope" declined to sink
their money in another hole. and only a
few took stock in the new mine.
On Christmas Eve of the year 1850 the
syndicate which gave to itself and three
near relatives the most remarkable and val