People's voice., 1900-02-01
Mr.. BAKER GOES HOME.
Did Not Attend the Meeting Last Night, but
Thinks Lead Can be Found.

j. W. Baker, the mine expert, re-
turned to his bone in Joplin, Mo-, |
this morning. He did not attend the |
meeting at the council chamber last
night, and a crowd Of people who
assembled there at I o'clock, went
home after sitting around until 81
O'Clock. Consequently there was no
mining company formed.
Mr., Baker was not at all pleased by
the fact that only ore Of the three
committeeman appointed night before
last accompanied him on his tour oil
investigation yesterday. Neyerthe-
less, he put iG hard day work south
aud vest Of Wellington, and his hopes
Of finding lead were strengthened
considerably. The best indications
he found were on the Andy Swan
place southwest Of the city. This is
the place where a lead vein is said to
have been encountered by Mr.. Swan 10
sinking a well twenty years ago. In
the dirt taken out or the well, some
flint was found yesterday, and strong
indications Of lead deposits.
Mr.. Baker had intended making a
report to the meeting last night, out
for the reasons stated above, declined
to attend. He explained that he had
come here at the suggestion OF his
father He was invited by his father
to attend the public meeting night
before last, and a committee was al
lpOinted TO accompany him yesterday.
only one of the committeeman, II. r.
Wightman, was on hand. H. L. But
trey was waiting for AL Lichtenberger
and did not get started until late, and
they were unable TO OVertake them
until ready TO. return home. The
other committeeman put in an ap-
pearance before they started but left
and did not show up again. Mr.
Baker came to the conclusion that the
public was taking no interest in the
mineral question, and did not care t.
assume the position Of trying to create
lplOl!c interest.
When Mr.. Baker came to yelling,
ton, he understood that he was tc
investigate the mineral prospects for
the benefit of his father and brother,
and it did not require any money to
get him here. The senior Baker ex.
plainea after he arrived that he
wanted the prospecting done for the
benefit OF Wellington; that a mining
company would be formed If possible
and everyone given chance to profit
thereby. Mr.. Baker consented and
made the investigation, but since the
public seemingly took but little inter
est in the matter, he decided To make
the report Of his investigation TO his
father, as he originally intended.
The senior Mr.. Baker regrets the
affair, especially since he has hearC
reports that he is attempting tt
secure a mineral lease on the Ruggle.
farm over someone else's head. Mr.
Baker informs US that his son advised
prospecting, and went TO the extern
OF Offering him money for that pur-
pose. But Mr.. Baker declined t
accept it, stating that he wanted ;
mining company to do the prospecting
in order that all may have a chance
Mr.. Baker is ready to furnish a par
OF the money necessary to prospect
but will not, for the above reasons, pu
any more money into 1t than anybody
else. Mr.. Baker states that his son i
/, satisfied that lead can be found on th,
Ruggles or Swan farm, and that i
will pay somebody to go afterit. vii
it ever be done?