The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-10-18
100000 A YEAR
FOR DESERT RAT"

OLA MSthS ago desert rat was in
town dead broke, says a Tonopah cor
respondent of the Reno Gazette.
There was nothing unusual about this
circumstance, which was rather a
chronic condition, but it is well to
fix the date Of the most recent ap-
pearance of this particular prospec-
tor in mind, for he is no longer poor.
When here, he succeeded in borrowing
$3.50 from an personal acquaintance.
Today he is assured of an income Of
100000 year from the DUPONT ne
Nemours Powder company for an in
definite period and the boys are look
ing for his return to camp to spring
himself with those who favored him
when he thought he was down and
out.
Joe Ward is the name of the man
who has sprung in a night from the
grind of rustling living into the
ranks OF affluence. He is so well
known around the southern desert
country that in this section it is su-
perflous to say anything about his
personal appearance, which was never
OF the inviting order. In years he
registers around forty-four and in
stature is nothing impressive as a fig
ure of manhood.
Nevertheless, he possessed the
rights to group Of claims that have
made him rich in spite of himself and
after the powder concern had search
ed all over the state for trace of him
in order to close a contract by which
they would pay Mr.. Ward the sum of
100000 for the privilege of operatins
a property which he located some time
ago. This is strontia spring in the
Death Valley country where Ward
is a more familiar figure than ever
the notorious Death Valley Scotty
The only difference is that Seotty wae
well advertised while Ward was not
but the tables are likely to be turned
in favor of the obscure individual who
now has the goods and the money
too. and, unless all forecasts fail, h,
is going to spend the income thrus
upon him with as liberal a hand as he
ever squandered his last dollar. Joe
Ward has specialized on the Mojave
Desert and Death Valley and in both
places has monumented groups af
claims that he always thought would
bring home the bacon.
He never could interest capital, but
this case appears to be one where
the money sought the man and caught
him after a long and elusive chase
Even at this time there is mail await
ing Ward at the Tonopah Elks' home.
so his old acquaintance are confident
he will turn up before long. When he
does he will receive warm reception.
that will be in singular contrast with
the greetings he received two months
ago. when he accosted an old-timer for
a slight accommodation.
When fortune ceased to smile on
Joe Ward he was reduced to the ex-
tremity of applying for work in the
local mines, but wherever he appeared
he was turned down. although the
mines were shorthanded and needed
every man that could twist a mucx
stick for an eight-hour shift. 1t was
only through a determined pull that
eventually he was told he could go TO
work on the Belmont.
Superintendent Fitzgerald put him
dumping in COB" on one of the lower
levels where the prospector bucklei
down to the business of dumping
waste into an old stope with such
vigor that he wore himself out in the
course of two days. That was all. He
called for his time and, on meeting
his friend who secured the position,
he quietly remarked that he couldn't
cut it-too heavy" There was no
doubt about the work being hard and
one requiring seasoned muscles, but
Ward was willing to try it in some
other mine where he thought condi-
tons would not initiate against his
usefulness. Accordingly the same pull
landed him in the deep workings of
the Victor shaft of the Tonopah Ex-
tension. where he struggled along for
another two days before calling for
his check.
Joe was not accustomed to contin-
uous effort and he resolved that the
experiment was only another argu-
ment for the free and open life of the
prospector whose comings and goings
were not enthralled by the wishes o.
any exacting shift boss. 1t was {
case of back to the desert. but Joe was
without the wherewithal and his
yearnings for the sunny south were
apt to be unrequited until at last h'
ran across the man who had procured
both jobs underground and he tackled
him for $3.50 The patron demurred
He thought the amount was little
stiff for a night with the boys but Jo'
was earnest and convincing. 81
strong was his argument that th'
money was Forthcoming and he ex
planned that the price was essenfia
to his departure. He had negotiated
} the loan of a "flivver" and all h'