New-York tribune., 1903-06-21
COSTLIEST EDUCATION.
Neac-Jersey Holds the M0n Who
Got 1t.

| Many cases are CT record of great sacrlnces
which men and wcmen have made on behalf of
| college education. Fathers have skimped thehl-
selves of food and mothers have taken IN WaSfllhS
| that sons and daughters might pursue the wisp OF
| learning through four collegiate years Young mon
| have given up sweethearts and young women have
| caused no of family quarrels that they might
write the of degree after their names IT
is Sussex County. n. j.. however who lays claim
to citizen with the most expensive coleSe euue"-
tion in the world
Ex-Congressman Sam Fowler is the man. ana
s2oOoOO00 is the amount which rural hnanciers OF
Newton and Franklin Furnace figure his college
course cost. That the education together win MS
ready wit and general popularity. made him United
States Congressman from New-Jersey for two lul
terms hardly overbaances the loss Of the rlchest
zinc mine in the world
This mine is the "Buckwheat." owned by the
NeU,-Jersey Zinc Company and located Frank
lin Furnace. which is twelve miles from Newton.
It has a romantic history. and has lately inquired III
the daily news, owing to the action of the BoarG
of FreehoIders of Sussex County. They raised
the valuation of the companys property from
81 rs ooo to S. 100000. preparing to tax 1t
accordingly when the company took the case into
the courts.
The property on which the Buckwheat mine Is
located the farm of Colonel Samuel Fowler
who before the was one of the rich men OF
Sussex County. He did not have any idea there
was any under the thin soil which he raised
fair crops Of buckwheat each year
Colonel Fowler had political ambition, and began
his fight for recognition about the time the Erie
Railroad was completed. He selected Port Jervis,
then boom town and divisional point on the
new railroad. his home. He built costly resi-
dence, a large hotel and started a newspaper all
of which was excellent equipment for a man who
wanted to go to Congress.
In 1856 he received the nomination, and the result
campaign cost him fortune, but it is still re-
membered in New Jersey.
do 1 remember old Sam Fowler's campaign"
drawled of the oldest citizens of Newton. when
a Tribune reporter asked him about it. We'll. l
rather think 1 do remember. 1t was the greatest
campaign New-Jersey ever saw. The colonel backed
Tor days at time ana Stunped up ana down the
railroads which through the district One car
noisiest cannon 1 heard. roared, salutes to
the coming Congressman on every possible occa-
sion. But it When the votes were
counted Fowler showed under
1T not long until the Civil War came Fow-
marched to the front at its head. He died in the
service, leaving great deal of property in these
Of it the farm out at Franklin Furnace, near
the old zinc mine. No considered the farm
for Moses Taylor, of New-York discovered evidence
OF zinc in the Fowler buckwheat patch They kept
eeived an offer for the farm The sum was not
large. but no one thought the place worth more:
was ready sell. So the farm sold and the
money received for it gave Sam college education.
operations. The buckwheat patch proved to be zinc
from the grass roots down; indeed. it the
it said that the value of the taken TO date
was 100000, and no one knows how much more
with every modern convenience, and since its out
put has been greatly increased
turned and studied law. He admitted to the
bar, but attempted to practise much. About
by the Democrats. He made a strong campaign,
but not an expensive one like his fathers. He is