The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-09-14
THOS. F. HICKEY
DIES In BUTTE
THE LAST OF FOUR BROTHERS,
EARLY PROSPECTORS, ACTIVE
IN MINING CAMP
Came to Montana in 1883 from New
York State; Owned Interest in the
Lizzie Lode; Was President of Bay
onne Gold Mines, Ltd.

With the passing of Thomas II.
Hickey, who died in Butte, there
was severed one of the few remain
ing ties that bind Butte to its past.
Thomas ". Hickey was the last of
four brothers, prospectors of the
late '60s and early '70s,s whose
names are indissolubly linked with
the mining history of Butte.
| Born in st. Lawrence county, New
York, the Hickey brothers came to
| this territory following the civil war.
With unlimited confidence in the UNI
derground wealth of Butte they set
their stakes and drove their discov-
cry shafts on claim after claim,
number of which are today among
the largest producers in the Summit
valley mining district. A scrutiny
of the mining records of the county in
the late '70s and early sos will show,
it is said, at least one location bear
ing the name of Hickey for every
page of record. Among the claims
staked by the Hickeys are the DIAM
ond, Rock Island, Tuolumne and Liz
zie, in addition to the Anaconda and
St. Lawrence.
Born in New York
Thomas f. Hickey was born Dec.
IL, 1874. He was the eighth child
of Thomas and Catherine Curran
Hickey, natives of Ireland, who had
long previously settled in st. Law
renee county, New York He re-
ceived his education in the public
school and at Fort Covington aca-
denny, from which he graduated in
1888. He then engaged in lumber
ing for two years in Michigan. Then
followed couple of years as farm
er in New York. His three brothers,
Edward and Michael, had
preceded him to the west. Edward
and Michael located the Anaconda
and st. Lawrence mines.
Thomas was likewise tempted to
try his fortunes in the territories. He
first arrived in Butte but soon trans
ferred his activities to Helena, where
he located and afterwards sold the
Empire mining property. He return
ed to Butte in 1882. In 1884 he mar
red Miss Julia Finnegan, native of
Maine. They lived happily together
until death claimed her in 1900. The
children are Mrs. Edward
1143 Diamond street;
Mrs. John Bridges of Porterville, Cal.
ind William A. Hickey of Butte.
Maintained Interest
Mr.. Hickey maintained constant
interest in mining up to his death.
lie was associated with his brothers
n the ownership of the Lizzie Lode.
\ few months ago he was one of the
Plaintiffs in a suit against the Davis
)aly company for s470,000 for ore
lleged to have been extracted from
he territory above the 100-foot level
f the Lizzie. The complaint stated
hat when the Lizzie was sold Mr..
Hickey and his associates reserved
II ores above the 100-foot level and
hat Notwithstanding this reserva-
ion the defendant and its leasers had
ntered the ground and removed
luch valuable ore.
In addition to his connection with
ne Lizzie and other mining proper
les here he was president of the
ayonne Gold Mines, Ltd, of British
olumb ia, property in which James
'. Gerard, son-in-law of Marcus
ally and former ambassador to Ger
lany, is also interested, and was g.
irector of the Honolulu Copper e.
liver Mining company.
Death came quickly to the 79-year--
Id pioneer. On Aug. % he sustain
a fall which brought on temper
ry attack of paralysis. He had trip
ed while walking on the street. A
ight's rest was sufficient, apparent
:, to restore him to health, and the
ext day he attended a picnic with his
aughter, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, and his
ece, Mrs. Sadie Lee. He enjoyed
mself greatly, it is said.
Later he was attacked with para
sis on the right side. He soon be-
me unconscious and remained in
at state until death relieved him.
Thomas F. Hickey had many
lends among the old-timers and the
ter arrivals in Butte. He is said
have possessed the ability to make
ID hold friends. He was well known
Helena as well as in Butte, and
3 many friends in both cities join
tn his relatives in sorrow at the
ssing of an old and constructive
)neer