Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-05-10
FATHER
OF THE
DISTRICT
Col. Francis F. OsbiSton
Closes a Career That
Dealt with Millions.

1t is not often that the life of one individual be-
comes closely allied with the history of the sue
of great mining district that his loss is felt
a loss to all. This was apparently true, however,
in the case of the death of Colonel Osbiston which
was announced this week having occurred at
Coolgarde, West Australia, on April 20.
Everyone expressed regret. He was the father
of successful mining in the district From the great
Free1and, touched by his energy, flowed the rivers
of gold and silver that nourished Idaho Springs in
to life and energy. He was in every sense build
er There was nothing in his nature that suggested
the idea of tearing down retarding. With him
everything must progress and advance.
He was man who handled millions associated
with millions, and his great heart was generous
as the treasures of earth which tapped through
his energies.
If he had $50 and friend in need called for it,
it was given. There nothing that he would
not give.
When he began his career a mining man he
associated with the great millionaire magnates
Mackey Flood Fair and others who could then
count their millions.
Before his advent in Idaho Springs in 1879
great deal of prospecting had been done, but no
heavy mining. Himself and associates purchased
the great Freeland of John NJ Dunont, and while
he exerted direction over it the mine produced S3
100000. Later he purchased the Whale, Plutus
and others and from these veins he took out in the
close neighborhood of 100000. During his op-
erations in the district he responsible for the
taking out of nearly So 900 ooo which went to bless
the district and the entire country.
In his time the Freeland was regarded as the
greatest mine in the state and the chute was un
doubtedly the richest ever discovered in the state
The dav he left Vancouver on his voyage to
Australia in 1905 to meet his brother, the latter
died A strange coincidence appears to be follow
ing fatelke, for on the day of his death his wife
and daughter sailed from New York to meet him in
Australia.
The following from biography of the colonel
which is authentic will be treasured by the people
here who know him so we'll:
Francis F. Osbiston was born in England, Janu-
ary a. I843, being the seventeenth child in fam
ily of twenty-five children. When IS years of age
he secured position clerk in the London and
Westminster banE, where he remained until he was
81 years of age. In 1864 he came to the United
States as the secretary of an English mining COM
panv Soon after his arrival he located at Reno,
lNev., and later became the confidential agent and
mining expert of the Bank of California, under
'Ra1ston & Sharon, who were then operating a
llarge number of properties. AT the end of three
--NNAA
fappointed him superintendent of the Savage mine
tof the Comstock lode. In 1879, in company with
SMessrs. Mackey, Rosener & Roberts, Colonel Os-
'qiston purchased the Freeland mine in this county
fwhere he was installed manager. He controlled
Ithe Schullil1 part of the Stanley, for a num-
Iber of years. selling out his interests there in 1892
latter he had taken out million dollars in ore.
d For many years Colonel Osbiston a recog-
1nized leader in the Republican party. He repre-
sented Clear Greek county in the state legislature
t,serving in the Fourth general assembly In 1884
he was the presidential elector, and again in 1888
twhen he cast Coorado's vote for Harrison and Nor
ston While living in Nevada he was member of
IGovernor Blaisdell's staff having the rank of col
lonel Later he held the same Office under Govern
I lors Bradley and Adams, although they were both
q democrats and he Republican While in Colo
rarado he was a member of Governor ]. B. Grants
Ibtaff He always maintained great interest in the
yvelfare of Idaho Springs, having served as mem
yber of the town board and the school board several
CHIMES Colonel Osbiston Knight Tempar
having entered the lodge in Virginia City, New In
h871 in Virginia City, he married Miss Francis
RIvnnan Mrs. Osbiston and daughter Mrs
81 BIackmund, survive him.