The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-05-09
A PIONEER RETURNS
TO VISIT OLD SCENES
J. M. Harris Meets
ManvOld Time
Friends
MAKES FORTUNE IN B. G.
Holds Valuable Mining and
Real Estate Interests
in Sandon
MAKES FORTUNE IN B. c.

n n EMOR1ES OF early days in
MI Wallace were happily revived
Tuesday evening by the arri-
val of John M. Harris, one Of
the real pioneers of this city, and who
was closely identified with the work
of laying the foundation for this pros
porous community. The few old tim
ers who are still here found it difficult
to realize that twenty six years had
passed since Johnny" Harris rolled
his blankets and Joined the SLOGAN
stampede to British Columbia, but 1t
is true Notwithstanding. Mr. Harris
left Wallace in 1892, memorable
year in the history of the Occur
dAlene district. Possibly he had
hunch that it was a good time for him
to leave, for within a month after his
departure the smouldering fires of
dlssention between the mine operators
and the miners union burst into
flame of riot which resulted in de-
struction of life and property, paralyz-
ing business for long period and en-
gendering factional bitterness from
which the district to this day is not
wholly free. Mr.. Harris missed all
this excitement, for his lucky star held
for him more generous fate. Arriv-
ing in the SLOGAN district before all the
good things had been located, he Sc
cured an interest in ground that soon
became famous as the Reco mine. IL
proved to be a veritable bonanza and
it was not long until Mr. Harris was
ranked among the rich men of British
Columbia. In the meantime he saw
the possibilities of an important town
growing up adjacent to the mines and
located the toWnsite of Sandon, which
he held after protracted lawsuit
instituted to contest his title. AT this
time he still owns his mining prop
erty which is operated under lease
and from which he receives a hand
some royalty. He owns and conducts
model hotel in Sandon, owns the
light and water plant which supply
the town and still retains other ex-
tensive real estate and mining inter-
ests.
Time Has Touched Him Lightly.
Passing the silvery tinge with
which time has touched his hair,
twenty-s six years have made surpris-
ingly little change in the appearance
of Mr. Harris We have his word for
it, however that his sporting blood
has grown more sluggish since the
days when he and his brother, Billy"
and other early-day patrons Of the
turf made a race course of Cedar
street and furnished exciting enter
tainment for the populace on the
Fourth Of July and for a day or two
after. After making his fortune In
Sandon, Mr.. Harris returned to his
native state, Virginia, and bought
magnificent farm where Billy" makes
his home there indulging to the limit
his natural hobby for "horseflesh,"
and which renders him immune to
the Establishments of modern motor
cars.
Owned Much Wallace Property.
Some Of the most valuable business
property in Wallace was formerly
owned by Mr.. Harris, some of which
he acquired by purchase from the or
iginal townsite company and part by
jumping" along with the balance of
the population when the townsite title
was found to be defective. What Is
known as Harris addition" was To-
Gated and plated by Mr.. Harris at
time when it is best described as
spreading river channel, covered with
standing and fallen timber, stumps
and debris accumulated during the
years. The value of that property to-
day is a testimonial to his business
foresight and faith in the future of
the city.
Mr.. Harris left for his home this
morning, his brief visit being greatly
enjoyed alike by himself and his
friends of other days.