The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-04
David Shaw, of Chihuahua.
Tells of Gillett's Mines.
Hardly Thinks They Are as
Rich as Are Reported.
KNOWS EX-PLUNGER.
Says He and His Wife Are Liv-
ing Economically Now.
Satisfied Mexican Property Is
Worth Investigating.

Kansas City, Jan. david D. Shaw
OF Chihuahua, Mexico, a railway con-
tractor. engaged at present in con-
structing a section of the Orient rail-
way. was at the Blossom house last
Right. Mr.. Shaw left Chihuahua last
Thursday. coming here to confer with
officers of the Orient. He is an &C
quaintance of Grant Gillett and saw
him and talked to him a month ago in
Parral. Mexico. At that time Gillett
had begun negotiations with his cred
ttOrs in this country for settlement.
IT do not know much about Gillett's
affairs" said Mr.. Shaw last night 1T
Is said in Chihuahua that he has some
E1tntng claims that are worth some
money, but if he is in debt here $780,
coo I do not believe the value of the
mines will any way near relieve him.
his holdings are near Parral, perhaps
300 miles from Chihuahua. Parral is in
the center of a very rich gold and
silver mining district, but it takes a
mighty good mine to be worth half a
million dollars. There has never been
any report of find by Gillett of a
mine that would bring that sum. He
has put IN several years prospecting in
the mountains there and doubtless has
found some paying ore.
"Gillett sold a mine. or perhaps two
mines, several months ago, for pretty
good sum of money SO it is reported L
did not learn the figure. He has some
money now, but 1 do not suppose he
has grown wealthy. Gillett has seen
hard times in Mexico. He is not now
given to taking a handful of diamonds
from his pocket and carelessly letting
them drop from one hand into the
other. He lives plainly and is in no
way extrava CANT. I have seen him with
his wife and she shows no evidences of
the possession of wealth.
What we people in Mexico cannot
see" continued Mr.. Shaw, lis how
Grant Gillett, the plain, ordinary man
we have known, could go into a bank
ana secure thousands of dollars on his
note. Very little attention is paid to
him down there. 1t must have been his
simple, easy, innocent appearing way
that worked into the confidence OF
bankers here. To US, Grant Gillett is a
different man. We see him dressed in
rough clothes, with pack mule and a
pick, going towards the mountains
Perhaps one time he is alone. perhaps
the next with a little party of miners
month or perhaps three. To us he is
just a prospector. Up in the hills, in
the mountains, down in the canyons
the gulches, he has picked away with
-Eile rough miner looking for gold
=Gillett moved from Chihuahua tc
Parral about year ago. He had a
fine Mexican saddle horse which 1 want
ed to buy. When he wanted to move
nc tSASS4 <1kliSe me t4ieLt might buy the
horse. 1 wired him an offer of $3.50, and
he accepted it. I believe probably the
horse belonged to Mrs. GilIett. Grant
Giliett was said to have been backed
IN his first prospecting expeditions by
Dr.. Flower of New York. I think he
has since obtained more backing from
him I believe that Grant Gillett wants
to pay UP and come back to the United
States. I think he is tired of having the
old black mark hanging over him.
believe he really wants to give I'D what
he has to gain freedom"
Mr. Shaw said the Orient railway is
progressing rapidly in Mexico. 1T is
going to open up a world of business
between the two countries" he said
Mexico realizes it as well as the United
States. The line will be at least two
days shorter than any entering that re-
public now .