Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-03-09
'HUNCH' REVEALS
RICH DEPOSITS
GRIPS INSPECTOR AND MAKES
HIM STAKE CLAIM IN PLACE
THOUGHT WORTHLESS
AS Result independence Vein in Colo.
rado Came in.

Most mining men have unbounded
faith in a tenderfoot's luck and i'll
lunches" in seeking deposits of ore
The discovery OF the independence
mine in Colorado, famous for its un
usual richness, was the result of one
of these strange psychological tips OF
whatever they may be called.
In the early 90s Fob Womack, AN
industrious miner took up a prospect
in the vicinity of Cripple Creek, Colo.
His capital consisted only OF a strong
body and horse sense. After working
on his prospect for a short time he
asked w. S. Stratton, an experienced
prospector whose credit was good in
those parts to join him in working the
prospect At length Stratton went to
see what Womack had to offer and
was well pleased with the showing. He
found the vein wide and strong and
well mineralized. When samples were
crushed and panned Stratton estimat
ed from the showing of free cold that
the vein would average about $40 tc
the ton.
Womack's prospect appealed to him
as being just the thing he had been
looking for. He had been frozen out
of good mine once because a great
deal of money was required to equip
it and after that experience had re.
solved to undertake no more mining
ventures with wealthy men. Worl.
acks prospect, he thought could be
worked by himself and Womack in.
dependently of outsiders. Ee figured
that with his credit and some money
he had saved he could buy and erect
small stamp mill which they could
operate themselves to treat free mill.
ing ores.
With some samples reduced and
loaded on his horse Stratton set out
soon after his visit for Colorado
Springs, Womack going with him for
part of the distance. At length they
reached big outcrop OF quartz and
the two men sat down on the bowld.
ers scattered about to discuss their
plans for the future. AS they talked
the rocks around them attracted
Womacll's attention and he askeo
Stratton what he thought of the out
crop they We're sitting on. Stratton
replied that it was nothing but bull
quartz" which was worthless.
The conversation turned to other
matters and neither thought or said
anything more about the quartz. Strat.
ION continued on his way TO Colorado
Springs and Womack went back to his
cabin. On the Sd OF July Stratton re,
ceived his assays and was much cast
down and discouraged TO find show.
ing of only 81 per ton instead of SO
as he had expected.
Early on the morning of July 4 ne
awolle, his mind completely filled witn
the thought that he had made "A big
mistake by not locating that bull
quartz vein. He could not shake off the
odd notion and his efforts to 20 to
sleep again were futile. The "hunch"
was so strong he could think of moth.
.nS but that outcrop Of quartz He Ell
tered enthusiastically into the Fourth
of July celebration, thinking that ir SO
doing he could get rid of the over.
mastering conviction that he ought tt,
go ard stake the prospect.
All his efforts TO shake it off, how
ever, were unaTaiiing and Mt length he
yielded to il, Going to a livery stali
he hired a horse lnd set out for Grip.
pie Creek. 1t was night when ne arrly-
ed at the outcrop a2d as he thought
over the matter he began to feel like
a fool for having ridden thirty-five
miles simply because an unaccounta-
bic fancy had suggested his doing SO.
Taking short cut to Womacli's cau-
in he made the excuse that he had
come to deliver the assay returns.
After he had partaken of the coffee
and bacon which Womack warmed Up
for him the "huch" came back ald
Stratton asked if anyone had located
that big vein where they had stopped
70 rest and talk several days before
Womack replied that no one had and
that no one was likely to because il
was no good. Stratton then announced
his purpose of putting IA stake into il
anyway and Womack agreed TO help
him do little digging
Taking Womack's aX the two men
Mt once walked through the moon.
light 10 the quartz outc.op End To-
Gated two claims in Stratton's name
They called one the independence
in honor of The day and the other they
named the Washington because he
was the father of Independence. STRAIT
ton began digging but his work during
the first year was very discouraging
Then he struck rich vein and the
Independence mine at once !eaped in
to fame.-Pathfinder.