The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-12-20

By CARL J.. TRAUERMAN
Mining Engineer. Butte; President. Mining
Association Of Montana, Ruby Guich MINING
Co., Montana Stock & Bond Co.
Resplendent in romance. historical, phys
ical. and financial both in the early GAYS
and in the present generation. the Lutte
Rockies district. Phillips county north cen
trail Montana. now stands out as one OF the
leading. If not the leading gold producing
districts in Montana.
Two prospectors, an Indian fight and a
foot race we're more or less responsible for
the discovery and DEVELOPMENT Of the gold
deposits Of that section.
Over two generations ago three young men
were attacked by a marauding band OF In
dams in the Bear Paw mountains. vest OF
the Little Rockies, and two OF them were
killed. At the risk of his life. the remaining
member of the trio buried the two bodles
and notified the parents of the slam men
in ENGLAND. Several months later the sur
vivor received a draft for $4,000 from the
parents in appreciation OF his COURAGEOUS
and humanitarian act. That $4,000 vas the
basis OF the large fortune accumulated by the
late state senator Ben D. Phillips. livestock
grower. mining man and real estate operator.
for whom the county of Phillips was named.
Even though the Little Rockies then were
on an Indian reservation, about the time OF
the massacre Pete Zortman and Pike Lam
dusky prospected that country and estap-
lishcd the hamlets of Landusky on the south
west flank and zortman on the southeast
IlaNk Oh Ile range. leS ulQ l1oL NAAodPiA
funds to complete their work. Pike Ian.
dusky was killed. in a saloon brawl by kid
Curry. notorious train robber and bandit.
and Zortman died at Big Timber only a few
years ago.
In the latter part of the last century there
! came into the district a prospector. miner.
man of vision and professional foot racer.
Charles Whitcomb. whose fast thinking brain
We'd with his nimble feet on the cinder track.
Whitcomb. who mainly is responsible for the
development OF the region, won a large stake
in a foot race.
zortman and Landusky and their successors
had the mines. Whitcomb had the vision and
daring and Phillips had the capital. This
trlumvirate with partners such as Louis
GoSlin. Coburn Brothers and Helena bank
!, ,rS MARROW and Smith finally brought the
>;EiIst mine at LanduSky and the Rubj Gulch
| y ne at Zortman into successful and profit
| lble production Whitcomb also developed the
seaver Greek mine. the third largest in the
district. which is situated a few miles north
Of the Ruby Gulch properties.
Little Ben Mine
This property is situated about two miles
north of Landusky on the Harlem road and
was early worked by prospectors who took
some rich gold ore from its northernmost
properties. In the early part of this century
the August Mining Co. was formed by
Louis Goslin and others and a tunnel driven
to tap the central part of the properties. No
ore OF any great value was found and the
company ran out of money. They applied to
the then successful Ruby Gulch Co. Tor
help. Mr.. Whitcomb looked over the situation
and the Ruby Gulch Co. agreed to furnish
a certain amount of money, for which the
Ruby Gulch Co. received so percent of the
stock Of the August Mining Co.
Within a few weeks the AUGUST tunnel
opened a body of ore IA feet wide that as
sayed about $500 per ton in gold.
Some Of the rich ore was shipped. but a
coarse-Crushing, cyanide teaching plant was
hu-riedly built and most of the ore treated.
The recovery from the first 5O-ton tank
treated was a little over s14, 1000. The leach
ing plant ran for many years, it being built
at Landusky and the ores hauled by wagon.
Whitcomb was in charge Of operations. A