The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-04-29
FORTUNE RICHLY FAvoRs FORM.
En- MONTANA COWBOY.
STORY OF BEN HATFIELD
Deserts Lariat and Saddle for Pick
and Shovel to Become
Wealthy.

<AIlA., " tuS SL. LOUIS GlODe Demo
crat is al true n then there is at
least one former Montana cowpuncher
who has made his fortune in other
ways than by the skillful manipula-
ton Of the branding iron and his dex-
terity in dividing the maverick from
the animal with its sides covered with
hyeroglyphics denoting it's ownership.
Ben Hatfield is the name given by
the story teller to the man who is
said to have erstwhile ridden the
ranges Of this state, but who is now
rolling in wealth, legitimately gained
and speedily acquired.
According to the correspondent re-
ferred to Ben ome years ago was a
typical cowboy and rode as hard and
drank as much whiskey as any OF
them. no doubt occasionally varying
the monotony Of his strenuous life on
the prairie by Shooting up" a town
and riding his cayuse into the drink
dispensary where he and his compan-
ions we're wont to gather when they
felt in need Of a little liquid Joy and
exhiliaration. But Ben tired of the
range and the bucking broncho, &C.
cording to the veracious correspond,
ent. and became a prospector, first in
Montana, where he met with only in
different success, sand then taking his
wife, for he had married after he be-
came q prospector. packed up and
started for Arizona.
This vas in December Of 1899 and
Ben secured work in q mine at Stan
ton, AS soon as he had secured a
job Ben modestly informed his new
friends that he had come among them
with two objects in view; one to make
100000 for himself and the other
to benefit Mrs. Hatlela's health. Just
one year after their arrival in the
little camp Ben was promoted to the
formanship Of the mine. Another
year was spent with the company and
Ben and several others started out to
look for q mine for themselves. This
they found in a location subsequently
named by them the Orc Grande, about
six miles from Wickenburg. Only one
disappointment met them - they
thought they had a copper mine, when
in reality 1t turned out to be a fab
ulously rich gold mine.
After expanding their joint capital
the members Of Ben's syndicate look
ed about for some with mor mon
ey to help them open up their bo-
nanza. The 'angel" was found in the
person of a ma from Iowa. He had
money and plenty Of 1t, also much
confidence in his own Judgment, for
he went out there to look at the pros
pect. More work was done and the
mine developed until now 1t Is con-
sidered among the best in the south
west. A 100-stamp mill Is being
built and a steady flow Of gold bars
Is expected to be soon added to the
gold output Of the country. But Hat
field will get none of the returns. He
kept his word. The remaining part
ners offered him for his interest the
amount he had originally set as all
the money he wanted and he accepted
the offer. For the sixth interest he
still retained in the property he &C.
cepted 100000, and with his wite's
health fully restored, he and she have
gone to Los Angeles. But they do
not expect to remain Their.
The story winds up in proper man.
ner. After a rest at Los Angeles
Ben is coming back to Montana to
visit his parents and arrange matters
so that bounty hunters need never
look for the wolf in the immediate
vicinity OF their home. Then he TX
poets to 60 back to Arizona, where
he knows Of some more good things"
Bring your shoe repairing to Post.
ONCE basement. H-tf