The Sumpter miner. [volume] (Sumpter, Or.) 1899-1905, 1900-04-11
PRICE OF PROSPECTS.
Some Sensible Observations
by a Colorado Man.

mining men" In the world infest Colorado
and Montana. II there Is shade Of differ.
ence between the two; II one Is trife
better posted In the business than the
other, the man from Colorado will frank.
" confess that the miners who operate In
the Centennial state stand at the head Of
the class. Il was one Of the latter whom
THE MINER quotes below. His name Is
not given, In accordance with his request,
based on a statement which shows that
he Is fairly well versed In human nature,
as we'll as mining lore. The topic under
discussion was the price placed on pros.
poets IN the Sumpter district. II was at
an informal gathering In one Of the pop.
ular resorts Of this camp; a midnight
function attended by few choice spirits.
Those present had teasted on cheese and
crackers and partaken Of each others hos.
pitality to that extent that they felt kindly
towards all minkind. No one was trying
to make deal, so no one felt the stern
necessity Of speaking other than plain,
unadorned truth. II was up to the gen.
tleman from Colorado, who remarked:
"You all agree that men holding claims
In this district place too high valuation
on their properties, rs they delight to
call them. There Is more or less truth In
what you say. but II Is delicate question
for one IN my position to discuss, and !
wouldn't like for the boys in this district
TO hear that ! was going around making
that sort Of talk. came here to buy.
Il makes man mad 10 have any one tell
hin flat footed that his claim Is not worth
what he Is asking for II, implying the
most offensive Of all insults to a proSpec.
tor-eitter way he takes it--that he Is
not Judge Of q mine, or else that he Is try.
Ing to rob you. II he has lots Of flour
and bacon. sugar aud coffee IN his cabin,
Il also makes him stubborn, and you are
then wasting time trying to deal with
him. So you will kindly, tor goodness
sake don't say ! told you, rs the girl
used to sing at one Of Leadville's thespian
temples \ tew years ago. r.
"And there are two sides to this QueS.
ton, rs to III others. Ihave prospetted my.
self and know what I'm talking about.
IN all my Tie, I have never had anything
to tire the up rs quick or make me mad.
der than to have one OF those patronizing,
provincial New Workers, on his first trip
West, strike a camp and begin at once TO
kick on the grub aud then whire around
because he couldn't buy a claim at his
own price. They don't know any more
about what a prospec, is worth than their
hired expert does. They don't know what
Il has cost the ptospcttor In hardship and
labor. IN ptivation and the greatest OF all
spiritual trials, hope always deferred. But
the man with the pick knows, and when
this man ot easy, questionable made mil.
lions offers mere pittante oi his money,
which he 81 ttansparrntly worships, offers
II as II he we're doing some one a iavor, In
exchange for these expenditures OF physi-
cal and mental torte, It is enough TO drive
a man to hard drink. What DO you peo.
pie wanR Give me some Of the same.
"Now, Tor the other side. Money is
what develops a mine, rs well rs what
makes the mare 90. Not one locator IN
ten thousand ever makes mine out OF
his location. he made II TO sell--ip fact,
that is what all mineral deposits were
originally designed for. Ny experience
has taught me that the wisest policy for
the prospeetor to pursue is TO sell when he
gets a chance. he Is sure then 10 be
ahead oi the saime In the long nun. OF