The Elk Mountain pilot., 1902-05-27
TIMES AND MINING.
THE KNOCKER.

fancy, the country became infected with
class of men commonly known as
flake mining promoters" Their bust
ness consisted of roping in the unwary
and eager individual who had more
money than judgment, and selling their
mining Claims that had been salted; and
in many instances, claims that were too
poor to pay for the expense OF sailing,
were sold on the strength of "boom."
The element OF chance that influenced
the investment of capital in mining
property in those days, greatly aided the
flake promoter" in the contamination of
his schemes. But this was all changed
in time, and when mining was purged of
the gambling taint, and made strictly
legitimate business. the fake promoter"
died as it were, with his boots on. But
there was left branch of the family,
which in time has grown and developed,
with the result that today we have the
"knockers." The difference between
the old time "fake promoters and the
modern "knockers," lies in the fact that
the former sold mining property, while
the latter made no sales, and prevents
others from making any that does not
directly or indirectly tend to benefit
himself.
1t might be well to take note OF the
'knocker's' modus operandi; the con-
sequences of his crime as it effects in
dividuals and the community, and the
legal and moral status of the criminal,
for ''knocker" is surely criminal.
There are two varieties of knockers
One is poor and uses his mouth to &C
complish the ends desired, while the
other is rich and brings the influence OF
money and high standing in the world Of
business, to bear upon any deal he may
try to make, or frustrate. The poor
"knocker," the one who is too lazy to de-
velop his own claims, and spends his
time heading off and discouraging pros
pective buyers who have come into
camp to investigate the property of his
more thrifty neighbor, is simply a pest.
The rich "knocker,' who attacks the
rich and poor alike. is II curse, and is
the most dangerous man a mining dis
trict has to contend with. They have
been to the Elk Mt. mining district
what the snow, ice and glacier have
been to Alaska. Their game is to play
the friend OF someone who has a good
claim or group of claims, and desires to
effect a sale, or place the property in the
hands of stock company under bond
and lease. This humble promoter Of
the mining industry must OF course
have some reference, someone who will
assertions made in regard to the title,
location and probable value of the prop
erty. At any rate he takes his wealthy
and influential freind, the "knocker, in
to his confidence, and thereby places
himself entirely at the mercy OF the
most unscrupulous man living. II the
miner makes sale OF his property he
must pay dearly for the services OF his
friend, who always demands position
where it is impossible to beat him at his
own game. To these demands the pros
peetor must accede or lose the oppor-
tunity of realizing upon years of priva-
ton and toll. If the "knocker" fails to
secure controlling interest in the prop
erty when the sale is made the next
move is to knock the company or party
in control, and discourage operations to
such extent that the mine is closed
down and probably sold for trihe, by
point.
1t is amazing to what extent these
people will go when once they have be-
gan the task of securing valuable piece
OF property. AS a rule there is in all com
panies some minority stockholders, and
an i'll disposed individual, who has not Sc
cured the position hoped for, and will
make any sacrifice for revenge, or to
received favors at the hands OF the COM
pany, to which he was entitled. These
persons make excellent associates for the
KNOCKERS" They usually begin work
together by securing the discharge of
the mine superintendent. This they ac-
complish by exaggerated reports of in
competency on the part of the manage
ment; switching samples of ore sent to
headquarters for assay; reports OF any
description tending to secure a change
of management, and placing the dis
gruntled stockholder and "knocker- in
control. Many good men have been the
victims OF just such combination, and
the damage to the community by way
OF discouraging the development Of the
mining industry, is beyond calculation.
Once they are in control, it is only a