The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1926-07-08
CHAPTER EIGHT


commented on by the ranchers in that
district. His family was growing and
there was a general air of prosperity
about the place. The news of Granz-
er's smelter being put up in Cooke set
IN motion the germ that lay dormant
in Hartz. He saw his opportunity
now, as he thought. Now he would
open up his mine. He would dispose
of his ranch as he could not mine and
ranch too. Fearing opposition on the
part of his wife, Hartz knew he must
have argument to meet her pleading
which he knew would come. He de-
cided to live in a town as the chance
for their education was better and she
would have an opportunity to associ-
ate with the social public. When he
spoke of selling the ranch she ex-
claimed with frightened look in her
eyes, ooh, Bud, don't do that. We are
happy here. Our fields produce in
abundance, our cattle are increasing.
l fear for US if we do this. Why should
we need more gold?"
"Dora, | am strong and feel that l
can make the mine go. See, Granzer
is putting up his smelter and the camp
is on the move"
eyes, my dear husband, no doubt the
camp is on the move, but that is spec
ulative, while what we have is sure.
Remember that our children are sure
of home here, while they are grow
ing up"
"That is one point, Dora, want to
take up. If we move into town the
children will have a better opportunity
to get an education and you will not
be isolated as you are here. You have
worked hard and this will give you a
change
ooh, my husband, look we'll into this
before you do this thing. We will have
the children educated. The new school
in this district is about finished. AS
for me, / am not isolated. have you
and the children. Shall this thing
sweep all away?"
AS tears came to her eyes she threw
her arms around his neck and pleaded
that he weigh it WELL He kissed her
and promised that he would try and
not sacrifice her or the children
Things went along in the regular rou-
tine until one day Hartz went into
Nye. At the postoffice he saw group
of men who were discussing the news
about the new railroad that was to
be run into Cooke. He talked the
matter over with several of the men,
among whom were a couple of miners
who were excited over the prospects
over in Cooke. Hartz made up his
mind to one thing, and that was to
start tunnel on his claims at the
lake. Before going back to his ranch
he had bargained with several miners
to work for him. They made arrange
ments to go into camp. The next day
he unfolded his plan to his wife with
the statement that it would not cost
very much to do what he wanted to
do, and he would be careful. Next
day he went up the Saltwater trail
again and stopped to see Fisher, tell
ing him that now he would show them
something. The men arrived in due
time and the tunnel opening was
located. A cabin was built. The min
ers went to work to cut tunnel to
intercept two stringers and the main
vein eight hundred feet below the
surface. The railroad survey had come
up the Saltwater trail and continued
over into Cooke, leaving the main line
of Northern Pacific (Which road had
now been completed through to the
COAST, at Columbus. Continued OPP
Grafton at the mine involved Hartz in
debt. The railroad activity died down
each season. The cost of assessment
work and the neglect by him of work
on the ranch resulted in a mortgage
on the ranch. The end came with the
sheriff's sale, when they moved into a
small town with small sum of money
which his wife had saved, quietly re-
monstrating with him became of no
avail. She gave it up and did the best
she could, womanlike. 1t had caught
| him. The ore showed good and large
body was there, but the railroad and
| the smelter did not materialize. Hartz
was a good mechanic SO he turned his
hand to his trade, and what he could
get to do. This kept the wolf from the
door and he still held his mineral
claims.
Spencer, the young engineer, push