The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-05
MINING IN COLOMBIA
Kari G. Parrish, an Old Leon Boy.
Has Extensive Mining interests
A in South America Conntry.


known Leon boy, now one or the
leading mining engineers OF the
country, son of Judge and Mrs. Il.
L. Parrish, of Des Moines, formerly
of Leon, who is now visiting with
his parents in Des Moines, tells OF
the wonderful opportunities of South
America in the following interview
published last Friday in the Des
Moines Capital. Mr.. and Mrs. Par
rish and baby will visit a few days
with relatives and friends in Leon
before departing for South America.
A veritable wonderland of wealth,
surprising in reality the visioning
of the most fervid romanceer-that
is South America.
So believes X. C. Parrish, mining
engineer, whose interests are extern
sive on the southern continent. Mr..
Parrish is the son of Judge X. l..
Parrish and is paying visit to his
father and family before returning
to South America, where he has
spent the past eight years.
Although in it's mineral resources
alone the portion of South Ameri-
ca along the Andes presents posi-
bilities of billions of dollars in de-
velopment, Mr.. Parrish knows that
the country is no place for the man
who would wrest fortune from
earth without capital or toll.
South America presents the
greatest opportunity for develop
ment of any earth in the world
said Mr.. Parrish. Yet there is
probably no place where more diff
Guilty will be encountered in securing
gains and where more capital will
need to be invested than there
After his graduation from the
Colorado School of Mines Mr.. Par
rish spent two years looking over
mining prospects in the western
portion of the United States. He
found the field well exhausted, from
the standpoint of the man who
would make great achievements.
Consequently he became interested
in Colombia and in 1904 sought that
district in which to carry on his
work as a mining engineer. At
present Mr.. Parrish's holdings are
among the most valuable gold and
silver mines in the world. AS yet
they scarcely are developed. Five
other men from various sections of
the country are interested with him
in the mining. More than $100, 200
has been expended by Mr.. Parrish,
and his associates in locating and
carrying out the projects.
The principal drawback to mining
or enterprise of any kind, is the ili-
adequate transportation facilities af-
forded in South America. Mr.. Par
rish's claims lay in the district of
Guamoco, Colombia, $50 miles in
land. The mines are known as the
Libertad, Chicago and Champan.
When Mr.. Parrish went prospect
ing in the upper Andes he encount-
cred adventures which equal those
of a Stanley or Livingstone in the
dark domains OF Africa Not only
unusual thrills greeted the pene-
traitors of the wi1ds, but hardships
and dangers were encountered OIL
every hand.
There were few trails after the
travelled highways had been lett
and paths were chopped with ma
chefs for many miles through stub
born fields of tropical underground
never before traversed by man.
Hideous snakes and reptiIlion life
such as would strike terror to the
heart of any person even the least
adventures. Tigers and wild beasts
roamed about the camp at night and
peered Indignantly at the white men
and their native servants by day.
Attacks were not infrequently made
by the beasts, and although no lives
were lost several of the party were
injured horribly when tigers pounc-
ed upon them during the hours OF
night
Mr.. Parrish and his white compan-
ions were not discouraged by the
perils and hardships into which they
plunged. The country gave indlca-
tions of being intellectually wealthy
in precious ore as prospecting was
carried on further inland. At last
the great strikes on which the mines
are located today were made.
Located conveniently to the three
mines Mr. Parrish has caused to be
built comfortable little town where
the native laborers and white men
in charge Of the development live.
The jungle has been conquered to
some extent SO that life now is not
altogether a struggle with nature
for existence.
Aside from the mineral resources
OF the country, cattle raising Is pay
ing great profits. The beef is pro-
duced only for home consumption
now, but Mr.. Parrish predicts that
in the future the fertile grasses of
the headwaters of the Orinoco and
Amazon will produce much of the
beef used in the world.
I'm fact" said Mr.. Parrish, "any
sort of commercial business can be
carried on profitably along the west
coast now. The people are just be-
ginning to get some idea of our civ
ilization and are demanding the me-
cessities and Injuries which we
have.
Capital is an essential adjunct of
any business in the countries, says
Mr.. Parrish, as in most lines a de-
lnand must be created.
In mining the cost of taking ma
chinery from the coast into the
mountainous country is enormous,
and but little can be accomplished
in short period Of time. Another
difficulty is the securing of compe-