The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-06-24
JOHN A. FINCH, NOTED NINE OPERATOR
DIES At HAYDEN LAKE HOME
DEATH ENDS REMARKABLE CAREER coEuR DALENs
oPERAToR-oPENEo FIRST NINE MACE IN tss7-LEAvEs
AN ESTIMATED FORTUNE OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS

John a, Finch, prospector, maker OF
mines and a leading figure In every
mining camp of the northwest, died
Sunday morning at his palatial sum-
, mer home at Hayden Lake. Death came
swiftly stroke of apoplexy cutting
short his life within a space of five
minutes, He was 81 years of age and
for more than 30 years of that perion
: his hand and influence has been felt
IN the mining regions of the west
Came Here in 1887.
In 1887 his activities in the Coeur
dAlenes began, a life long partnership
with the late A, b. Campbell being
formed at that early period when they
began development work on the old
Gem mine with capital secured from
friends IN Youngstown, Ohio, The minc
became producer and yielded ricn
returns. Other successes followed rap
idly the Standard, Mammoth ana
HecNa mines opening their treasure
vaults under the direction of these
WV illtll' ilSpStlS anu mines III All
parts of the northwest have felt his
guiding hand and at this time consid-
cradle prospect work Is under way IN
the Occur d'Alenes through his con-
Inection.
Other Business Interests.
Aside from mining pursuits his In
terests in business organizations were
extensive, Locally he held interests III
tne Occur d'Alene Hardware company,
the White e. Bender company and was
identified with other concerns. His
| lumber business in western Washing
ton Is valued at million dollars. The
Davenport hotel, Union Trust company
and various other Spokane enterprises
are included in his financial interests.
Mr., Finch was man careful and 4lc-
curate in details and he leaves his vase
business affairs in excellent shape un-
der the guidance of men carefully
trained for their work Great wealth
came to John A. Finch in the past few
years as result of careful, judicious
operations. He played the game aD-
solutely on the square and passes away
reyered and honored by the mining
profession of the world. Just how ex-
tensive Is the total of his, fortune can
not be estimated as yet. Those con-
Vcrsant with his holdings state THAI
they range between $5,O0O,OOO ana
$4,000, ,OOO.
Last of Great irIo.
He leaves a widow but no children
a vast fortune and a reputation dating
back to pioneer days that is untarnisn-
ed in its honor and stand for fair deaf-
ing. Another leader has passed and
the last of the great trio of Finch,
Clark q Campbell, has ceased his
earthly chreer. They We're staIwarts
In their line of endeavor, no job being
too big for them to tackle il the ere-
ment of success was there and their
keen understanding of nature gave
them wonderful victories.
Funeral rites were held from the
Spokane city home on Wednesday. at
tended by scores Of friends and assc-
'iates who feel deeply the loss OF this
nan, who in spite Of the great de-
nands upon his time claimed by his
business interests found opportunity 70
exercise his noble phialnthropic spirit.
Many are the struggling institutions
nat found firm footing through the
'enevoIence Of John A. Finch Hos
'itals, childrens homes, Fairgrounds.
'arks and even humane society work
elt his touch. Death came as he had
Wished 1t would. quickly, and he war
eady FOR the summons.
First Success Here.
No one man probably in the history
+ the district had more to do with -,
development of the Occur dAlenes
han did Mr. Finch. The fact that his
rst success came in this section when
he Gem mine became a dividend pas
r, always held for him warm spor
n his heart for the Coeur d'Alcnes.
The characteristics for which Mr
Nnch were best known whs his nfan-
lg courtesy Kindness and considera-
Ion. 1t was frequently said of him
hat he never was too busy to give the
umbest of his acquaintances Pr
lent hearing when they sought him
1r aid, comfort or advice
His sterling integrity was equally
,ell known, but one side of his eharv
cter that WIS not SO widely appr"-
lated was the tenacity with hch ha
ED on to investments or enterprises
rhich his associates had abandoner
ecause they considered them hope
sss
Probably the best example Of this
characteristic was in connection with
is first investment in the Coeur
'Alenes, the Gem mine. After. the
r0perty had been equipped With a
lill 1t failed for "a long time To earn
perating expenses and the OHIO peu-
lie who had contributed mnst u, he
loney for its development and equip