The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-17
MAN WHO DISCOVERED
 CRIPPLE CREEK IS POOR

warded search, while riding the range with his brother-in-law, Theodore Lowe, Bob found traces of gold in float rock" He sent his companion with a piece of the stuff" to Denver assayer. The assay returned $250 in gold to the ton.
 On receipt of this news Womack built a log cabin in what is now known as Poverty Gulch, and devoted his time to development work. In January, 1891, he dug a hole in the Fl Paso lode of the Gold King property now one of the best paying mines in the great gold camp. Womaclz filed location certificate on three or four contiguous claims, and few days later fired a blast into a bo- nanza vein. '
 But "Bob'- could not stand prosperity in those days He had led reckless life. Bob could punish any amount of bad whisky, so the old-timers say, and it was while in Colorado Springs one day to interest friends in his new discovery that he 'tanked up'' and disposed of his bonanza to strangers for $500 cash. Of course the secret was out, and even on the night of the transaction hundreds of men were making their way across the Pike's Peak range to the scene of the new find Bob" crazed by drink had ridden through the streets as fast as his bronco could carry him, waving his six shooter and shouting the facts of his dis covery to all he met. Be 1t said to his credit that he has not touched drop of
 Iiquor since those days, and that his
 subsequent life was exemplary even be-
 fore he was forced to take to his bed probably for the rest of his days
 Filled with remorse and chagrin at his
 folly Womack returned in a few days to
 camp only to find that the best mining
 property had been located by others. In camp which by that time was literally swarming with men, Bob was com relIed to go to work at day wages in or der to make a living. He never com plained, however, and many times after saving a few hundred dollars, went alone again into other districts in the Pike's Peak region, intent upon opening up an othA great mineral bearing district. One day three years ago. just as suc- cess seemed for the second time to- be within his grasp, "Bob' was returning from the hills when stricken. Sitting alone in seat in Colorado Midland passenger coach, he raised the window { and leaned against the sill. In few minutes he tried to lift an arm, but there was no sign of life in It. lie had
  Since that time Womack, together with his aged father, has been dependent upon the kindness and ministrations of sis ter, Miss Elizabeth Womack who keeps 8 boarding house to make living Tor her father and brother. Meanwhile oth- CTS are enjoying the fruits of the $25000O.- GOO that has already come from the hills of the Cripple Creek district.
 There is an interesting sidelight or Bob" Womack's discovery of gold in the 1 Cripple Creek district. Search in that re- zion for the precious metal dates back almost to the arrival of the first white man. Repeated trials were made prior to 1 1891 to find pay rock,' but so cunningly l had the great store house been concealed l that even the most expert miners were 1 deceived. There are thousands of Colo rado people who remember the mad rush | to Mt. Pisgah, at the foot of which the city of Cripple Creek is now situated This was in April, 1885, It is true that a