The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14
I1I-TuE GRAND TETON MINE.

ers, 1.-THE Big Tetons," look perpendicular
ly into the blue eye of Jerny's Lake, lying
at the bottom of the profound depression
among the mountains called Jacksons
Hole. Bracing against enc another for
support, these remarkable peaks lift their
granite spires from l2,000 to nearly A.
GC0 feet into the blue dome that arches
the crest Of the continent. Their sides,
and especially those of their chief, the
Grand Teton, are streaked with glaciers,
which shine like silver trappings VIXEN the
morning san comes up above the wilder
ness of mountains stretching away east
ward from the hole.
When the first white men penetrated
this wonderful region, and one of them
bestowed mis- wifes name upon Jenny
Lake, they were intimidated by the Grand
Teton. 1t made their flesh creep, accus-
toned though they were to rough scram-
bling among mountain gorges and on the
brows OF immense precipices, WREN they
glanced up the face of the peak, where
the cliffs fall, one below another, in
series of breathless descents, and imag-
ined themselves clinging for dear life
to those skyey battlements.
But when in 1872, MeSSrs. Stevenson
and Langford finally reached the top OF
Grand TetoE-the only successful MEM
bers of party CT nine practiced climbers
who had started together from the bet
tom-they found there little rectangular
Enclosure, made by piling up rocks six OF
seven feet across and three feet in height,
bearing evidences of great age, and indi-
eating that the red Indians had, fer some
unknown purpose, resorted to the summit
of this tremendous peak long before the
white men invaded their mountains. Yet
neither the Indians nor the whites ever
really conquered the Teton, for above
the highest point that they attained rises
a granite buttress, whose smooth vertical
sides seemed to them to defy everything
but wings.
Rising above the sage-covered floor of
Jseksoa,s Hole runs the Shoshone, or
Snake River, which takes its rise from
Jackson's Lake at the northern end OF
the basin, and then as if shrinking from
the threatening brows Of the Tetons,
whose fall would block its progress,
makes detour of leo miles around the
buttressed heights of the range before 1t
finds a clear way across Idaho, and SO
on to the Columbia River and the Pacific
Ocean.
On a July morning about month after
the visit of DR.. Max Syx to the as
sembled financiers in New York, party
trail, arrived on the eastern margin of
Jackson's Hole, and, pausing upon COM
.nanding eminence, with EXPLANATIONS OF
wonder, glanced across the great depres-
sion where lay the shining coils Of the
Snake River, at the towering forms OF the
Tetons, whose ice-striped cliffs flashed
lightnings in the sunshine. Even the i'm
passive bronchos that the party rode lifted
their heads enquiringly and snorted as II
in equine establishment at the magnificent
spectacle.
One familiar with the place would have
noticed something which, to his mind,
would have seemed more surprising than
the pageantry of the mountains in the
morning sun bath. Rising above one of
the wild gorges that cut the lower slopes
of the Tetons WAS a thick black smoke,
which, when lifted by passing breeze.
obscured the precipices half way to the
summit of the peak.
Had the Grand Teton become a VOL
cano? Certainly no hunting or exploring
party could make smoke like that. But
a word from the leader of the party of
horsemen explained the mystery:
There is my mill, and the mine is un-
derneath it.
The speaker was DR.. Syx and his COM
panions were members of the financial con-
gress. When he quilted their presence in
New York with the promise to return with
in an hour for their reply, he had no doubt
in his own mind what that reply would be.
He knew they would accept his proposition,
and they did. No time was then lost in
communicating with the various Govern
ments, and arrangements were quickly
perfected whereby, in case the inspection
Of DR.. Syx's mine and its resources proved
satisfactory, America and Europe should
Qc
basis Of their coinage. As soon as this
stage In the negotiations was reached ii
only remained to send a committee of
financiers and metallurgists, in company
with DR.. Syx, to the Rocky Mountains.
They started under the Doctors guidance,
completing the last stage of their journey
on horseback
An inspection OF the records at Wash
ington," DR.. Syx continued. addressing the
horsemen, will show that / have filed a
claim covering ten acres of ground around
the mouth of my mine. This was done as
soon as / had discovered the metal The
ming OF the claim and the subsequent pro-
ceedings which perfected my ownership at
tracted no attention. because everybody
was thinking Of the South Pole and its
gold fields
The party gathered closer around DR..
Syx and listened to his words with silent
and jingIed their gold-mounted trappings.
As soon as had legally protected my
self" he confined, II employed a force OF
men, transported my machinery and ma
terial across the mountains, erected my
furnaces. and opened the mine. was safe
from intrusion and even from idle curios-
lily, for the reason have just mentioned.
In TACT. SO exclusive was the attraction of
the new gold fields that had difficulty in
q lyip
africa and engaged negroes, whom placed
in charge of trustworthy men. According
~, with half dozen exceptions, you will
sec only black men at the mipe''
And with fhnfr aid you have mined
enough metal Ia supply the minis Of the
world?" asked Pres Boon.
Exactly So" was the reply. But
no longer employ the large force which
! needed at first
am aware that you have already an
swered this question during our prelimi-
nary negotiations. but / ask II again for
the benefit OF some members of our party
who were not present them"
shall show you today" said DR.. Syx
with his curious smile. Two thousand
five hundred tons Of refined artemisium
SACKED In rock-cut vaults under the
Grand Teton"
And you have dared to collect such
uncomfortable wealth in one placer"
You forget that II is not wealth until
the people have learned to value Il. and
the Governments have put their stamp
upon It,"
True, but how did you arrive at the
proper moment?"
Easily. / first ascertained that before
the Antarctic discoveries the world con-
tanned altogether about $1,000 tons Of gold
valued at $4,000 per ton, or 81, zoe. 0O0. 000
worth all told. Now my metal weighs