Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-06
Thomas r. Cole, the Mining Man
OF the Hour, Arrives
In Utah.
HIS COMING IS SIGNIFICANT.
Says He and Associates Have
Had Expert Engineers Looking
Over the Field For Them.
But He Dlscrcetly Declines to Give Any
Positive nformation--Somc-
thing big" Is on.

Thomas f. Cole. the big man OF
the hour In the copper mining world,
Is In Salt Lake. He came In from
the cold climate of the Lake Superior
regions yesterday afternoon, accom-
panied by Mrs. Cole and they are now
the guests of Walter Fitch and family
at 425 east South Temple street.
Mr.. Cole was seen by a representa-
tive of the News this afternoon who
had hoped that the noted mining mag
nate might unbosom information that
would tend to clear the skies Of some
OF the many rumors that have been
in circulation hereabouts and IN the
mining investment circles of the east
during the past few weeks. But this
is one OF the things Mr.. Cole did not
40 any more than to admit that there
had been number OF mining en-
gineers investigating the various min
ing camps of this state.
WHAT MIR COLE SAYS.
1T is simply this" said Mr.. Cole
Il am associated with a pretty active
lot Of men and we like to know as
much as we can about the mining nos
sibilities OF the country. For that
reason, wo keep corps of mining en-
gineers in the field almost constantly
and 1t is through this system of scout
ing that we are contributing to
better the mining enterprises
Of the country. BY keeping
in close touch with the development of
the mining regions were in better posi-
the mining regions we're In better posi-
lions II We want them.
UTAH ATTRACTIVE FIELD.
While Utah furnishes a very at
tractive field for large mining enter
prses," continued Mr.. Cole, 81 am not
prepared to say that we are going TO
become interested here There are no
deals pending that know OF. But what
The future Will bring forth of course. Is
yet to be determined.
u know great many eastern papers
have connected my name with mining
deals In this state, but the fact is they
nave all been doing lot Of guessing.
] do net know why they should have
done So unless ii was because they
had learned In some way that men rem
resenting me have been here TO look
the country over.
NOTHING DEFINITE.
Mr.. Cole declared he did not care to
say any more than is told in the fore.
gong and would neither confirm or
deny that negotiations are pending for
the organization Of a large companv
with the Bingham Consolidated as the
nucleus.
During the day, MIR. Cole was visited
by the Heinze experts that have been
GONG over the Bingham properties and
several hours were spent in consulta-
tlon.
After spending few days at the
FITCH residence, Mr.. Cole and Mrs.
Cole VIII proceed TO southern California.
MIR. COLES CAREER.
Thomas F, cole entered the field Of
the red metal after he had worked his
way to the supremacy of iron ore pro-
duction. He is ~ years of age, and
a6 years have passed since he began
hard work about the mines. As an
S-year-old lad he began active life at
the rockplle Of the Phoenix mine,
where an accident which took his faith
crs life left him to battle for his
younger brothers and sisters.
He spent the spare hours In study
as he toiled lnanfully at his task OF
wash boy. and by untiring effort't,m-
handed for himself serviceable edu-
cation, made practical by the knocks
OF serious life as he was masterinC H.
\ ~ 4 hA Of al
take work as brakeman on the Hecla
d Torch Lake railroad, and here he
earned the same promotion which was
coming to him at the mill until he left
u Tor the much-needed increase of pay
offered by the other work The rail-
road was owned by the Calumet g.
tiecla Mining company and Coles ster-
ing qualities won him a place IN tho
office, advance to a clerkshlp. until
when a cashier was needed at the
chaplin mine he was the logical can
oldate for the place. Before he was
y he was'chief clerk In a business en-
ploylng more than 1000 men.
MANAGER AT THIRTY.
Then he cane to the attention of
Frederick Schlessinger, q Milwaukee
iinancier known as the Iron ore
King" The Milwaukee man had Sc
cured some small mines on the Me-
nominee range and wanted manager,
Young Cole was yet far under 80, but
ne was the man for the place and
under his direction the proprietors be-
came known as fhe largest producers
OF iron ore In the United States
The panic Of 1898 wrecked the enter
prise, though Manager Cole kept the
mines running for six weeks after the
company was wholly bankrupt, He
threw his own small savings into the
battle, made a personal appeal 10 the
men to stand by him, and when the
courageous fight was lost By the ex-
haustion Of all available funds. he en-
tered upon the task OF repaylng the
workmen who had been loyal to him.
and he made good his promise
POSITION HUNTED HIM.
He was at once offered a position
ss mine superintendent on the Goelc
range, and within few years he was
at the head Of companies producing
more iron ore than ever the old Schles-
singer properties had put out Then the
steel corporation was formed. and
Thomas F. Cole was selected as vice
president OF the Oliver Iron Mining
company, the ore department of Unit