Putnam patriot., 1919-12-05
LUCKY STONE A BONANZA
Proves to Be One of Worlds Greatest
 Pigeoa Blood Rubies

John Mihok, laborer, of Omaha, has
 been informed by an expert lapidist
 that he possessed what is probably the
 largest fiawless pigeon blood ruby in
 the world, says special dispatch to
 The Boston Globe. The stone weighs
 23.9 karats and is valued at more than s100,000.
 When Mihok left Austria Hungary for America in 1903 he brought with him what he thought was a pretty piece of granite as good luck" stone. His father had found the stone on the boundary line between Europe | and Asia, near Moson Taresa, State of Magyar Orsag.
 Until a month ago he performed manual labor to support his large family. His home was a two-room shack; his wife took in washing to help make both ends meet, and his older children left school at an early age to help support the rest of the family. During these trying years Mihok carried his "good luck" stone in his pocket, without apparent result A month ago, however, he read newspaper story telling of man find ing precious jewel in the gravel of river bank. He purchased book on precious stones and with some difi- eulty and great expenditure of time read it from cover to cover.
 His good luck stone answered the description of an uncut ruby, he found Someone told him that a real ruby would match the heart blood of live pigeon He spent several days wages in the purchase of five squabs. The tests further convinced him that his stone was genuine ruby.
 At last he submitted the stone to Rev. William F. Rigge, Creighton University scientist, and Joseph P. Frenzer, jeweler Both assured him that his stone was genuine pigeon blood ruby. It was so large, however, that they would set no valuation on it. They adivsed him to take it to Chicago to be cut.
 So Mihok went to Chicago with lit tie English and less money. He en- tered a jewelry store and handed the precious stone to the proprietor, who attempted to retain it, he says. After some difficulty he regained possession | of the stone and returned home in de- | spair Incidentally he found that he 1 had lost his position as furniture pol isher in large furniture house,
 A few days later he appealed to Ed mund H. Mccarthy, lawyerS CPS Bee Building, with whom he was acquaint- | ed. Mccarthy took the stone to Chi cago. It was cut and polished by Gus tav Gilmann, lapidist, 1143 Webster street, who pronounced it the largest | flawless ruby in the world and valued | it at more than S100,o00.
 During the cutting and polishing | process Mir McCarthy>hever once al lowed the stone to leave his sight, he says. He returned the stone to Mihok | great shining jewel larger than a pigeons egg.
 And now I can send the kids to | school so long as they care to go," smiled Mihow, his eyes fastening on the great gem. "Is it not so? And | was not my good luck stone a regular good luck stone?" he added.
 Mrs. Mihok, a frail, little woman, peered shyly over her husbands shoul- der for a glimpse of the flaming jewel which was to bring her ease and rest. | There was the trace of tear in her | eyes as she stammered, Perhaps we | can add a room or two to our house, | now, John?"
 And John, who had some conception of the value of money, assured her that they could add several dozen rooms if she wanted them.
 Local jewellers say the stone will be- come world-famous when it is placed l on the market. It is S.5 hard, and it's | specific gravity is 4.05. The largest | perfect ruby previously known in the | world is only 171a karats, according l to authorities. It is owned by the | King of Pishenpur, India.
 MT Mccarthy has named the gem the Great Mihok." He will take inn | mediate steps to market it.
 The "Great Mihok" is now safe in | safety deposit vault in downtown 1 bank.