Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-04-15
WORLDS LARGEST RUBY
Omaha Lnborer Owns s1OO,OOO stone
which Was Found by His Father


(From the Omaha Bee)
John Mihok, laborer. 1913 South
Twentieth street. was informed by an
expert lapidist that he possessed what
is probably the largest jawless pigeon
blood ruby in the world. The stone
weighs 239 cararts and is valued at more
than 100000
When Mihok left Austria Hungary for
America in 1903 he brought with him
what he thought was a pretty piece Of
granite as a good luck" stone. His
father had found the stone on the
boundary line between Europe and Asia,
near Moson Taresa, State of Magyar
Orsag
FAMILY WAS POOR
Until month ago he performed
manual labor to support his large family.
His home was two-roomed 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 APP
parent result.
A month ago, however, he read news
paper story telling of a man finding
precious jewel in the gravel on river
bank. He purchased a book on precious
stones and with some difficulty and a
great expenditure of time read 1t from
cover to cover.
His good luck stone answered the de-
scription Of an uncut ruby. he found.
Someone told him that a real ruby would
match the heart blood of a live pigeon.
He spent several days wages in the pur-
chase of five squads. The tests or
IN CT
genuine ruby.
OMAHANS EXAMINE STONE
At last he submitted the stone 20 the
Rev. William F. Rtgse, Creighton Uni.
versity scientist, and Joseph p. Frenzer.
jeweler. Both assured him that his
stone was a genuine pgeon-blood ruby.
1t was so large however. that they
would set no value on it. They advised
him to take it to Chicago to be cut.
So Mhok went to Chicago with little
English and less money. He entered
jewelry store and handed the precious
stone to the proprietor. who attempted to
retain 1t, he says. After some difficulty
he regained possession of the stone, and
returned home in despair. Incidentally
he found that he had lost his position as
furniture polisher in large furniture
house
A few days later he appealed to
Edmund H. Mccarthy. lawyer. 62S Bee
Building, with whom he was acquainted.
Mccarthy took the stone to Chicago, 1t
was cut and polished by Gustav
Gilman. lapdist, 1134 Webster street,
who pronounced it the largest flawless
ruby in the world and valued it at more
than $4,000.
WATCHES JEWEL CLOSELY
During the cutting and polishing
process Mr.. Mccarthy never once allow
ed the stone to leave his sight, he says.
He returned the stone to Mihok yester-
day, great shining jewel, larger than
a pigeons egg.
"And now can send the kids to
school SO long as they care to go" smiled
Mihok his eyes feasting on the great
gem. rs it not so? And was not my
good-luck stone regular good-luck
stone?" he added.
Mrs. Mihok. a frail little woman
peered shyly over her husbands shoulder
for a glimpse of the flaming jewel which
was to bring her ease and rest. There
was the trace of a 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 tina,
they could add several dozen rooms II
she wanted them.
Local jewelers. say the stone will be.
come world-famous when it is placed or
the market 1t is SO hard, and its
specific gravity is .05. The largest per
feet ruby in the world is only 17ia carats
according to local authorities. 1t /:
owned by the king of Bisenpur, India.
Mr.. Mccarthy has named the gem the
Great Mihok" He will take immedia t.
steps to market it.
The Great Mihok' is now safe in 9
safety deposit vault in downtown
bank.