The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-29
Story of Inspiration Copper
Reads Like a Romance.
STOCK SOLD At IS CENTS
1t Has Been Skyrocketing Now
for Several Years.
Topeka Citizens Have Made
Fortunes in 1t.


of dozens of Topeka men who have
made small and large fortunes out of
copper stocks purchased in 1902 for
15 cents share. These same stocks
are now commanding $50 and $50
share.
AS result, men poor then in To-
peka are wealthy. For instance, Judge
Frank Doster purchased stock and
took more on debt. AS result he
has got all of his money out of the
investment and has stated that his
holdings will be worth 100000 when
the stock reaches $50 a share.
Par Plenty for Many.
Despite the pleas of w. A. Neis-
wanger, q Topeka real estate dealer,
| most of the Topeka people sold their
stock when it reached par. $40. On
one day when it was announced that
the stock had reached par. Topeka
people unloaded $4,000 worth of
stock. Now it is selling at five times
par. Among the Topeka stockholders,
past and present, in this investment,
the Inspiration Consolidated Copper
| company, are:
J. F. Switzer, George E. Bell, C. ].
Price, DR.. ]. C. McClintock. Albert
Knowles s. S. OFT. E. C. Flowers. Ed
Ram. J. c. Mohler, Mrs. Martin Moh-
Ter, Ralph Brigham, F. G. Kelley,
Mary E. Kelley, C. P. Bolmar. BALI
Stark. Mrs. Jennie Weber. Mrs.
Daddy" Rust, Miss Emma Silver,
Alva Ford, A. C. Scott, DR.. F. E. Vest,
]. H. huffman, Mrs. James P. Howe,
Annie M. Greenwood, Mrs. ]. w.
Thurston. F. A. Brigham, Judge Smith,
| c. o. Knowles, A. IS. Klingaman J. c.
Cole, Miss Leoti Dyer, Mrs. Caroline
R. Doster, L. w. Wilson, P. W. Griggs,
RUDE Knowles. T. A. McNeaI, James
1
Judge Frank Doster. Bennett r.
| Wheeler.
Real Story Like Fiction.
Reading almost like fiction is the
story of this copper investment which
created so much excitement in Topeka
years ago.
Early in March, 1902, w. A. Neis-
wanger. who was then engaged in
business in Kansas City, called at the
or1lce or Moulton, Popenoe & Hosier
In the Bryant building on an errand
pertaining to real estate. There he
was introduced to J. D: Coplen of
came interested in the tales told by
Mr.. Coplen Of his copper properties in
Arizona and after an investigation de-
| Sloeo Coplen was not only honest, but
knew what he was talking about.
shortly afterwards a party of KAN
sas City men, accompanied by Mr..
lNe1SWanger and Ralph Brigham. a
topeka sign painter, arrived in Ari-
iona to investigate the properties ex-
ter the return of the investigating
party, the full organization of the
company took place under the name
of the Pacific Mining and Metal Com
pany'.
Needed $4,000.
The capital stock was s2.00o,000 par
value, 81 per share. The first block
of stock was placed upon the market
at Is cents per share; then at 20 cents
and shortly afterwards at 81 per
snare. Meantime the capital was
raised to 100000 by reason of the
company's acquiring more holdings.
This property was purchased in the
faI of 1902 at cost of $4,000. Ten
thousand dollars was paid in cash and
the balance was to be paid in gold at
the First National Bank in Globe, Arr
iona, May II. 1908.
Stockholders Get Mad.
| Trouble again. The stock at 81 a
share didn't sell. Many meetings were
held that Melted only grief. the CHIEF
reason being that Mr.. Coplen would
not surrender control. Conditions went
from bad to worse, with the stockhold-
ers feeling that they had lost out
Il, too, who had begged them to
buy, began to feel that my home
would be trifle more pleasant awas
from Topeka said Mr.. Neiswanger'
1t was nearing spring and the eff
forts of Mr.. Neiswanger and Others
were frantic to raise the $4,000 il
gold due at Globe. Ariz., May II Mr.
Coplen came to Topeka early in May
and held a midnight conference will
Edward Wilder, a heavy stakeholder
The meeting was continued the mex
morning at the National hotel, and
resulted in the control of the propert,
| being turned over to Mr.. Wilder ano
asSocia ties.
Threw Grips on Train.
There was no time to lose Mr.
Coplen couldn't get to Globe, Ariz
| before May Is and the payment wa.
due there on May IT. They jumped
into buggy and rushed to the sta
ton. Mr. Cop1en barely caught hi:
train and his grips were thrown in
after him.
kilograms were sent to Globe, Ariz.
announcing Mr. Coplen's arrival or
May Is with the gold ready for pay
ment- The property was saved.
Mr.. Wilder immediately reorgan.
lied with S. s. OFT, c. o. Knowles ant
W. A. Neiswanger on the board. New
blood meant a new name. Mr.. Neis
wanger insisted that it be named the
Inspiration Consolidated Copper com
pany.
An 1000 Inspiration.
Mr.. Neiswanger desired the nam.
because an inspiration of c. J. Devlin
in the Bank of Topeka, during the
AiiiuIiiSul meeting MADE II possible Tor
the hard-pressed financiers to raise
the 1000 in gold
| Other troubles came but the com
pany prospered as did the Topeka
stockholders. Instead of being rider
out of town on rail, Mr.. Neiswangei
is a wealthy and respected citizen OF
Topeka and those who invested upor
his recommendations still feel grateful
They begged me with tears in theil
eyes to buy stock said Senator Trout.
man today. Il refused and a few days
later purchased some gold mine stocl
| and lost bunch of money"
Soon wealthy eastern investors be
came Interested, fully developed anf
equipped the mine and today it i.
known as the second largest coppe,
mine in America. The Guggenheirn
are arr1onp the Ga xzl,< Z.