The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-08-03
'REOPENING
OF BASSICk
MINE RECALLS
DISCOvERER
E. c. eAssIcK, NEW ENGLAND
PRosPEcToR, MADE MILLIONS
OUT OF HIS STRIKE NEARLY
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
RETURNS EAST AND
BOUGHT BARNUM HOME

From Harry Triplett of this city.
who came home a few days ago from
Custer county. where he has been
mining for some time past. 1t is
learned that company of eastern
capitalists has taken a bond and lease
on the famous Bassick mine and are
planning to operate it on an extensive
scale as soon as the necessary prelim-
inaries can be settled.
The new company. 1t is understood.
will build mill at Querida for the
reduction of the ores and will estab-
iish a line of motor trucks TO haul
the concentrates to Westcliffe for
shipment by rail to the smelter.
The reopening of the Bassick mine
will be n big thing for Custer county
people and will probably result in
revival of mining activities in that
section OF the state. The copmany's
lease on the property will run for
period OF ten years.
The story of the discovery and the
early working of the Bassick mine Is
one Of the most romantic and spectac-
uIar In the annals of mining in the
west and brief reference TO 1t will
not be out of place in this connec-
ton.
Discovered by e. c. 6assIek
The mine was accidentally discov-
cred by L. C. Bassick. n New Eng
land prospector. nearly fifty years
ago. who made several million dol
lars out OF It. Mr.. Bassick was an
eccentric character and is said to
have been in his younger days one of
the most devoted poker players that
ever made his way TO the Rocky Noun
tain region He was in hard luck as
mining prospector for many years.
being able To exc out only n hand
tomouih existence by his iabors.
One day ne Dug into the side OF
hill more because II was easier dig
ging there than because OF any hope
he had Of finding ore. and uncovered
maryelousiy rich body of mineral.
His wife was reduced by the necessi-
ties Of poverty to take in washing for
living and neither she nor Eer hus-
band knew at the time the strike was
made OF the wealth that awaited them.
Mr.. Bassick had uncovered what is
known among miners as a chimney"
and in doing so had placed himself
and wife beyond the dreams of ava
rice and had opened up for them a
future of luxury and ease.
ore very Rich.
The first ore taken out of the mine
was conveyed by Mr.. Bassick In
wheelbarrow to Rosita. where II Was
found TO contain almost unheard of
richness In gold. silver and other met
ais. The report OF the discovery
swept over the Wet Mountain valley
with great rapidity and in few
days scores of miners and prospect
ors were upon the scene busily en-
gagged In stalking out claims in the
vicinity. The ore was tellurium.
which was but little known at that
time. although It has since been found
in many places In the west. particu-
lafiy in the San Juan mining district
and in Cripple Greek. II carried high
values in gold and at once became She
object OF search among prosecutors in
the Custer county mining belt.
Mr.. Bassick was man OF energy
and good business Judgment despite
the improvidence OF his early days
and with the assistance OF friends
soon began the development Of his
property in n vigorous and systematic
manner. II was not long until a large
number OF men were employed at the
mine and every day added to the
wealth of its owner. The exploitation
OF the property went on for several
years with undiminished returns for
Mr.. Bassick and he seemed to have
uncovered the tabled El Dorado for
which men had been looking since
Jason and his crew of adventures had
sale daway in the days OF antiquity
In quest Of the golden fleece.
Bought p. r. Barnum Home.
In the early seventies Mr.. Bassick
sold his mine to syndicate OF capl.
talists in the east for several million
dollars. and that amount added to the
millions In profits which he had al.
ready taken out of II made him a
very rich man. as wealth was meas
ured In those days. Shortly hfter-
wards he and his wife left Colorado
and returned TO their native New Eng.
land. who're they purchased the resi-.
dence Of Phineas +. Barnnm. the "a
nous Snowman At Bridgeport. Conn.