The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-12-07
Romantic History of Great
Buffalo Hump Gold Mines
in Idaho Closes.

Moscow, Idaho-Any history which
might be written around the early
mining days of the West probably
would not contain more tragic chap
ter than the one which time has just
finished over the fate of the three in
trepid prospectors, and their assOci-
ates, who discovered the mines which
gave impetus TO the great Buffalo
Hump excitement, which made the
pulse Of Idaho throb in the late '9Os.
If the whole story of Buffalo Hump
were known there Is little doubt but
that its hardshlps, dlsappointments
and tragedies would equal those which
owe their origin to the long continued
search for the mythical Blue Buck
ct" diggings, fabulously rich lost
mine believed to exist somewhere In
southwestern Idaho or eastern Ore
gon.
1t has always been said that a
miner Of the old school could not
stand sudden wealth and the careers
of this group bear added proof to that
assumption. There are many who be-
lleva that the entire camp was con-
trollcd by fate-that Nemesis was
ever present. If such was the case
he gave the prospectors the rich ore
bodies, but was very exacting. Tragic
fates awaited not only the discover
ers but even those who negotiated for
the transfer of these properties to the
larger companies which started oper-
atlng.
Locator Of Mint Penniiess.
When George Overfeld. locaterT Of
the Jumbo mine, the second largest
property of the district, boarded an
east-bound train recently to spend the
remainder of his life with a sister.
the last figure in this tragic chapter
disappeared and the end was written.
Overfields ticket was paid for by
Idaho county. He had been virtually
penniless for years, but infirmity and
blindness had almost overtaken him.
He was no longer able to follow the
trail of the sourdough and the county
board thought 1t would be best to al
low him to 60 to his relatives in the
East, whom he had befriended during
the years when he had plenty. "
Overfeld, like the mining region
which produced him, had heyday.
He was true son Of the old West,
kind hearted and so generous that he
would have taken his shirt from his
back to- cover a friend. He got his
money without much effort and 1t left
him the same way. When he climbed
aboard the train that was to take him
away forever from the field in which
his fortune had been made and lost
he was heard to remark In q, cynical
way that the last time he tooksa train
for the East he had $4,000 in his
pocket. it 3.
Paid $1,000 for Ride to Town.
One time he got Off the train r al
Lewiston and not finding a CAB to
take him downtown walked up toea
man who had his horse and buggy by
the platform and asked hun how
much he would charge to take him
downtown. The individual must have
felt an injury to his dignity, for he
curtly Informed Overfcld that he
WdS hot fuuuihk tub ScfNiScs Whcic-
upon Overfield demanded his price for
the outfit. After some dIckering Over
field paid him $1,000 cash. climbed up
in the seat and drove himself down
town.
These two Incidents and many 9TH
ers mark him as one Of the most ro-
mantle figures that ever flashed across
the pioneer stage--a stage which saw
some famous and notorious ngures
flash into great prominence and start
on hectic career which soon headed
them the way OF all flesh. Oyernsld
Is said to have given $4,000 outright
to a brother. This gift and many 9th
ers of lesser amounts, In addition to
his reckless spending, marked the be-
ginning OF his deciine which ended on
the brink 7pf poverty. ~
Other mining excitements followed
the discovery of the Buffalo Hung
camp, md Ovep1eld and his recklesB
qspding wtfs ssEEotfa Hs had bssa