The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-06-17

oe plellty OF prospecting TO 40 Tor the
next fifty years in the Rocky Mountain
country, but it will be so different-the
new prospector will need no packhorse
But | am DEPRESSING, it is the old pioneer
prospector that prompts this effort. He
is now too old and feeble to continue in
the fields. He has lived so long in the
mountains with trees. rocks and wild
animals for his friends and companions
that he feels unhappy and uncomfort-
able in the city. and much more so if
he is broke He is untitled for work
on a farm or for saving wood at the
back door for livelihood. He who has
lived so close to nature so long. where
the results of his efforts have been of
such vast benefit to all of the North
American continent, should not be asked
to do mental service after he has given
all the best part of his life in pioneering
and prospecting the unexp,ored. What
shall we 60 for him?
l would suggest Pioneer Prospect
ors' Home" located some place in Cali
/ fornia, not far from the place where
gold was first discovered. Possibly the
old ranch where gold Was first discov-
cred might be the very place to choose.
However, this could be determined
later by committee to investigate and
locate. l would suggest: First. suit
able location containing not less than
1000 acres of land, at least one-half of
which would be well adapted to diversi-
fed farming. gardening and fruit grow
ing. the other half to grazing.
Second, q comfortable building, or
buildings. capable of comfortably ac-
commodatng 800 people, and we'll
equipped hospital. good farming build
ings. utensils, etc. suitable to properly
farm gar6nO nd dali no .
acres.
How to raise funds to carry out the
scheme would be the first and important
step. l would suggest that cOntribu-
tions to the amount of 100000 be So
! licited from wealthy mine owners, and
others who have become wealthy di-
, rectly and indirectly from the source of
mines. Then ask the Federal govern
ment for $500, 900, and the Rocky Noun
tain and Pacific States each $40 00O
Then an annual appropriate of $780,
900 from the Federal government 1t
appears to the writer that this should
not be a difficult task or an unreason>
able amount to ask for this worthy
cause.
The 1000 acres properly managed
should furnish all the vegetables. but
ter and milk, most of the fruit re-
quired, and a fair percentage of the
meat and eggs. Those occupying the
! home. and able to do so. should be given
| some light duty to perform. Not COM
| PEELED. the old prospector will volunteer
and become interested. il treated right.
| I served three years in the army dur
/ ing the war of the Rebellion, and have
spent thirtyfo four years at mining in the
Rocky Mountains and Pacific states.
The soldier who served his country in
the army is no more entitled to a pen
sion and governmental aid than these
same pioneer prospectOrs who have
spent all of the best part Of their lives
blazing trails and showing up the great
mineral wealth of the nation.
Eligibility to the benefits of the Home
could be determined through statistics,
etc. A regent from each Of the Rocky
Mountain and Pacific States appointed
to govern the Home could arrange that
matter after due consideration. My
opinion is that the applicant should first
show that he had been a prospector for
at least twenty years and was now un-
able to continue in the field.
| When the Home is completed and
! ready for the prospector. let him come
not as a mendicant, but as an honored
guest. and there. in his declining years,
he will live in the past. In the wreaths
! or smoke IRON MS pipe ne Will again see
the stampede of excited prospectors and
miners hurrying to some reported rich
find Again he will climb to the top of
the highest mountain peak and feel sorry
for the millions Of people who have lived
and died and never had one breath OF
fresh air like this. He will again be
mending his shoes by his campfire and
the pine squirrel will talk to him from
the branches above. The waterfall. the
beautiful lakes the deep forest and roll
ing hills will all pass in review. Nature
has kindly provided that the dark spots
in his memory gradually disappear
leaving the bright ones brighter as he
grows older. He has nearly outlived his
usefulness. but he is entitled to a com.
Portable home far removed from the
hill collector. Let him smoke his pipe
and live over again those days of full
| ViCor and manhood