The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1903-04-16
THE PASSING
OF A PIONEER.
Mason Greenlee, an Old Timer,
Called to His Long Rest.

O0A4OA w LILO AOAS NhOOh
Mason Creenlee, after whom the
Greenlee Gold Mountain Mining dis
trict was named, passed quietly away
at the home OF his lifelong friend, 1.
/ y. Stevens, in this city Friday last, at
/ the age OF "a years.
Mr.. Greenlee Was born in the Stale
of Virginia, and although he came
west at tender age. he never forgot
/ his early training. He was a gentle
man. although for many years his life
was cast in rough places, he never be-
came caloused or hardened, and had a
kind word and smile for everyone.
Mason Greenlee came to Denver in
the COS when the place was only a
camp. AT Denver he organized a
large party OF hardy men and started
for the Big Horn country. The ex-
petition was beset with Indians almost
every day and while part OF the eXpedi-
ton reached its destination. Sc per
cent. OF its members were killed by
Indians on the trip. Mr.. Greenlee was
in charge OF the expedition and took
chances with his men in defending the
camp and train. He had many close
calls on the trip, but got through with
GU: a scratch.
He vas one OF rugged band OF
Colorado pioneers who struck the Cliff
ton country in Il, and was so favor
ably impressed with the immense
mineral showings that be decided to
locate here, but was finally driven out
by Indians, and returned to Colorado.
In 80 he sold the Wheel of Fortune
and some other mines, and in COM
pany with Lloyd Tevis, who remained
q partner with him until the time Of
his death, he returned TO this country,
and soon after that the Greenlee Gold
Mountain distric, was formed. He To-
Gated several claims on tho immense
quartz vein. OF what was then known
as Dorsey's Camp, so called in honor
OF Hank Dorsey, who like a few OF the
other old timers, still retains his in
terest here. At that time Mr.. Green
lee was possessed OF much money and
indominable energy. He believed that
he had found the greatest gold claims
on the continent, and he proceeded to
develop them, but as the nearest rail-
road was then in Kansas. and as the
EXPENSE OF living and mining was very
high, his money was gone before he
got his property on paying basis, but
he hung to his mines with a tenacity
which showed his faith in them. In
later years he consolidated his inter
ests with those of Dorsey, Williams,
James and Tevis, the five OF them
holding perhaps As valuable group
of claims as can be found in the ter
ritory.
For the past five years he mad been
in very feeble health, but his partners,
who dearly loved the old man, saw
that he had all the comfort. that
their surrounding and means would
permit, but had he been possessed OF all
the means stored away in the treas
ure vaults OF his mines, it is not likely
that be would have left the camp, for
it was his home ADD he loved it with
the tenderness of child. However,
last fall, when his friends saw that he
was failing rapidly and could not last
much longer, he was brought into
town. where he could receive better
attention. For time he improved,
and his cheerful countenance was fire.
quently seen on the streets. Recovery
of course was not expected, but his
last days were spent IN pleasant sur
roundings, where old time friends
could call daily and pay their
respects to one whom they all
loved. A few weeks ago he suffered
collapse, and all realized that the
end was near. He was carefully
nursed to the last by Messrs. Heusley
and Trimm, who stayed with him day
and night and ministered to his many
wants.
The funeral occurred from Pascoe's
undertaking parlors Saturday after
noon last, Reverend Love conducting
the ceremony. The remains were fol-
lowed to their last resting place by
number OF old timers, who dearly
loved the gentle, good old man, who
had no enemy in all the world.
Deceased had a sister, Mrs. Alice
Humphreys, a resident of Fort Worth,
who was too feeble in health to at
tend the funeral.
1t is not likely that monument will
ever mark the old gentleman's grave,
but the memory of his many kind
deeds will ever live in the breasts of
those who knew him best.
He was one of the most kindly and
lovablc men that ever came to this
territory.
Good for Children,
The pleasant to take and harmless |
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