The state herald., 1902-09-19
Peabody. Republican


In the local street car system, has been
managed by him In person.
His entire life since the acquisition Of
his enormous wealth has been marked
by unostentatlon and retirement. or
quiet tastes. he gathered about him
fewer Intimate friends than could he
counted on the hand and lived his life
in utter seclus!on. The only reminder
of his presence to the public was the
constant aid given TO charity. his bene-
factions In the way Of public improve
ments. His evenings In the winter
Were spent reading and smoking or
chatting in his library with n few
friends. His bedtime was about $50.
In summer chat with friend on the
broad, cool porch preceded his re:lrc.
ment about 1890.
The only boy In family OF nine chill
dren. Winfield Scott Siratton. was born
In Jcffersonylllc. Indiana, July 80, 1918.
His father was mechanic ana
draughtsman. partner In u firm OF
boat builders, and after an education
In the city schools that lasted from his
fifth TO his seventeenth year, young
Winfield, following his natural bent for
mechanics, served an apprenticeship OF
three years at the same work.
In the summer OF 1872. when lie was
twenty-four years OF age. he left Lin
coin. Nebraska, for the Pixies peak re-
gion In this state. arriving In Colorado
Springs In August of that year. with
cash capital OF $500. lie soon Sc
cured wcrk at his trade, but on account
OF the close proximity OF the mountains
became interested In prospecting, aud
the next year made his first venture N
mining.
He spent his summers mining In the
San Juan and his winters pounding In
his carpenter shop In Colorado Springs.
While doing the practical work OF n
miner. Mr.. Stratton studied geology
and mlneralogy, and In 1881 took II
course IN nssaying at Colorado College.
After becoming thoroughly conversant
with the blow-plpc, the practicable pro-
cess for prospoct0rs, he went to Bfcck-
cnrldgc aud secured employment In the
Nashold mill. nnd there mastered tho
process OF treating gold ores by anal
gnmatlon.
Ills rcvorscs md successes until the
location OF the famous Independence
mine on Battle mountain, ON July 4.
1891. are matters OF mining history OF
the state: and his development mud sub
scqucnt sale OF the big property TO an
English syndicate for Sio,ooo.uOO II stu
fresh IN the minds of the people Of
Colorado. The millions that he secured
from the sale NJ tn. Independence he
invested In welllocated Cripplc Greek,
Colorado Springs and Denver proper.
ties. always pursuing the same CON
scrvatlyc policy that had marked him
through life
stralton was married soon after he
came to Colorado Springs, Thirty years
ago. hut on account OF differences with
his wlfc ho was divorced about lsis,
lie had opc Non, who i still living With
his mother, who has since been mar.
rlcd, mud they reside nt Je1crhonNillc.
Illinois.
Airp Jennie q. Cobb of san Jose.
California, sister. Il the only suryiy.
/ ing member NJ Mr.. Strntion'H family.
Mrs. Cob formerly resided In Colorado
Springs and Mr.. strattOn made his
home with her and another sister for
several ypnrs. The other sister suhsn'
| nuontly died aud wna buried "a Ever.
green cemetery. and Mrs. Cobb TO
moved 10 California, She Inns Two
daughters, Lillian nnl Mhrlnn Cobb,
both Of whom were well known IN Col,
orndo Springs, Lillian cobb married
n wealthy man OF ~. Louis nnd Il
now resident of that city. Marian
Cobb married man In California, her
name now bcuR Mrs, Smith Mr..
hifntion hns Two other niecoa aud two
nephewH, the children OF o deceased