The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-11-19

try. Consequently, he sold out all his in
terestS in Montana, including his share
in the sapphire mines, for $1,000 and left
even into the wilds Of the north country,
but Jake managed to keep just q few
Jumps" ahead Of her, and finally she re-
turned to the United States. She eventu-
ally married a Montana rancher, who In
time, shot her dead, while she was atempt-
ing to kill him with a gun.
Finds Gold I'm Alaska
Jake proved just as capable Of reading
the gravel of Alaska as he had been that
Of Montana. In the Sunrise mining dis
trict Of Alaska, in the country inland from
Resurrection Bay, he made another big
gold strike, which for a number OF years
yielded from $4,000 to 100000 annually.
The property is still being prOfitably work
In this case, it was the same old story with
Hoover. Jake's claim was Jumped by a
wealthy syndicate which operated after
the manner Of the villains Of Rex Beach's
famous story, THE Spoilers" and Jake
was driven to litigation that lasted a num-
Der Of years. He won two decisions in the
courts, but when a final appeal was taken
he was without funds, and, although the
case was fought through by his attorney,
he lost title to the property which would
have made him a millionaire.
By this time, Jake was becoming an old
man. He returned to Seattle thoroughly
disheartened by his northern experiences.
At the Sound city, he leased some ground
on the shore of Lake Union, and became
/ ULUUL AEAUL vi a LnAANAn6 u00NAAS NnNaDAAo-
ment which was largely p~artOnized by
wealthy spOrtsmen, members Of Seattle's
exclusive Country Club. Here, this famous
old DiOneer. lived out the declining years OF
a career that had been replete with adven-
ture of the rarest and most exciting brand.
In his prOSeptcing days in Montana, ne dls-
covered more rich mining properties than
did any other one man, and he also bore
the record of being MOntana's best hunter
during the old fur trade and hunting days.
1t has been said Of Jake's Seattle ven
ture, that he knew the fish OF the waters
Just as well as he did the gravel ana the
wild animals Of early-day central Montana.
He was acquainted with their habits ana
knew how best to affect their capture. And,
the wealthy fishermen of the Sound city
came to consider a tip from Jake Hoover
on fishing matters as piscatorial gospel.
Fame came to Hoover for several reas-
Ons. Recent articles have explained how
this old prOspectOr became a close friend
companion Of the 14-year-Old Charles M.
Russell A years ago. HOOver'S ranch on
the South fork Of the Judith river, was In
! the beart of a hunters and trapperS' para
? disc, and this humble dwelling was for two
years the home and studio Of the kid
Russell. who drew pictures Hoover, IN
/ those days, spent most of his time hunt
l ing and trapping on the Upper judith, sell
2 ing the meat to the few Tanchers then locat.
2 ed in the Basin, and tanning the hides and
T furS and selling them to the traders.
In later years, narrating his experiences
/ at the Hoover cabin, Mr.. Russell said OF
e Jake Hoover:
"As l remember him then, Jake Hoover
was of medium height, with thick curly
brown hair, which he wore quite long, {
moustache and several months growth o.
4 beard. His eyes, gray and deep set, saw
: everything at a glance. He wore a hght
8 soft hat, blue flannel shirt, duck pants anS
boots. His spurs were shOrt-shanked, will
+ broad heel bands. lie never used a car
|, fridge belt, but instead, a plain leathe
: straD on which hung a knife scabbar'
q holding two butcher knives. His cartridge
were always carried in q pouch, either II
his pocket or hanging under his belt. Hi
gun was a "A Winchester rifle which D.
packed across the saddle in front of hin
in a horn sling, but in the game country
= he carried it loose in his hands. " Ii
could empty a Winchester faster than an.
other man l ever knew, never taking
4 from his shoulder once when he starte
shooting.
1.-THE Judith basin, in those days, wa
a thinly settled. Where LewistOwn stand
today was Reeds Fort, a trading pos
l. CONTINUED on Agricultural Page)