Arizona republican., 1904-09-19
EARLY DAY INCIDENTS
Discovery of Peck Mine and Origin of
 the Term "Hassayamper."

In Camp Burns Creek, Mohave Co. Ariz Sept. 5.-(Special Correspondence of The Republican).-In the following relate some interesting incidents that attended the discovery and early work ing of the Peck mine in Yavapai coun- ". The following named persons, all of whom then resided in Prescott, com posed the party that first discovered the property
 The late Col. c. c. Bean, capitalist. contractor and speculator, T. M. Alex ander, farmer, Edward Peck, govern ment guide L. B. Jewel, musician and jeweler, William Cole, prospector and called the professor of mineralogy. Alexander and Peck wer designated the hunters. They were both good shots, but the other three could not have killed a sheep if they had plenty of op- portunity and meat at a premium. They left Prescott intending to be out ca the trip about one month. Their general route, I believe, was by way of Lynx creek, thence Big Bug, Turkey creek Black canyon and the Brad shaws. finally making camp at Hun ters Springs, where they intended to try and load up their pack animals with venison and return to Prescott. So far on this trip they had not found any thing that suited them. I do not know how long they had been in camp when the discovery was made, but it came about as follows:
 They had eaten their breakfast and Bill Cole had rolled up his bedding and seated on it filled his pipe to enjoy his smoke. Ed. Peck strolled down the gulch a little distance and returned in a short time. having in his hand a small piece of rock or ore. He handed it to the professor, remarking as he did so, William is this anything like the ore you have been telling me to fetch to you if l found any?" The pro- lessor loked at it, then at Peck and asked, Where did you get this?" Peck, answering, said, Just down the gulcA on the side of the hill" The professor replied, You have raised he'll" Peck said, How so, how so, William" Cole replied, Let's go down there and take look" All hands went and sure enough, they did have a hell of a time." Right then the whole party did real manual labor until they had taken out sufficient ore to net them about two thousand dollars each, and packed it into Prescott, where they got the cash for their work. Just to think of it, poor. poverty-stricken prospect ors within so short a time the vision of their universe contained many Ium- inous castles.
 As natural consequence, the Peck mine created a boom at the old hun ter's camp. mill to be erected, Q road to be built from Prescott to the mine a distance of thirty-one miles, the town of Alexandria laid out, build ings erected, roads built into the pin cries, also organize their company scramble to get control and a pull. An offer from Hirst of three hundred thousand dollars, and it Hatly refused After many vicissitudes the wheels turned in their mill and money came flowing in to the coffers of the Peck Mining company, but in course of time a necessity arose for a more systematic management, which finally resulted in the employment of John Dunn, a Vir- Sblia City mining man, one who was used to systematic mining, of the great 0Comstock mine in Nevada. When Dunn took charge the men employed at that time were about all local pros pectors, which was very discouraging 10 MT. Dunn's idea of business. In fact he got mad and made the following announcement, T am going to send uD 10 Nevada for some miners, because [ can't do anything in trying to work a mine with these damned hassvampers " That remark by Dunn was the origin Of applying the name hassyamper to Arizona citizens.
 Now We come to another chapter in relation to the mine. I was out pros pecting and working in the upper part or Crazy Basin, situated near AIexan- dria, and was also quite often in the town There became acquainted with a very remarkable character who was working in the Peck mine The only name that ever heard him called was Classy Thompson" In his use of lang uage he could exoound more ViIeness Tn short space of time than ever IL was my lot to hear before and what IS very remarkable, he talked very free ly about things he had found out and what he intended to do. In fact ba was so voluble that I paid no attention at the time and forgot all about it un- III l read an account in some paper about year ago. then it all came back To my mind. He said to me as follows: (lH have to furnish his remarks in printable words).
 They have lost the pay streak in the Peck and are away off, but I know where they lost it and I am going to nave some of that ore. I'm going to work IL and the company won't get their fingers on a dollar of it."
 That was about all he told me at that tlme later returned to Prescott and m due course of time his royal nibs
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