Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-10-31
Ohio Man Recalls Visit
to Cooke 53 Years Ago

Montana OH q Mining Journal,
Great Falls, Mont
My dear sirs:
Enjoyed reading the journal Of the
10th, which we receive weekly, per-
tanning to olden days in Cooke mining
district, your interview with my old
friend Jack Allen, his experiences ur
there. You viii not from the enclosed
article my experience So years ago In
that district, mining when a young
man at the age Of IS years. was the
youngest fellow up there.
My good wife made several trips to
Cooks recently this summer with min
ing people who became interested in
developing some Of the holdings, con-
siSting Of Black Worrior, Morning Star,
International e. Snowsllde mining
properties also has many town lots
and the September Aillsite, through
which was decided right-of-way to
complete the new road from Red
Lodge through Cooke to the Yellow
stone national park; regret to say my
health did not permit my making trip
this summer.
It is more than q half century ago,
In 1883, I made my first trip to Cooke,
Montana, mining district when a young
man Is years old, to develop some min
ing properties in which my brother,
Mentor, at that time business man
at Livingston, was partner. To reach
this mining district from Livingston 1t
was necessary TO travel by team 100
miles, part of which was through Vel
lowstone park. The entire distance was
over rough roads. Those days IN the
Territory of Montana, there was no
raiload from Livingston to Gardner,
an entrance to the park. The enchant-
ing scenic grandeur Is everlasting in
=
route until having reached my deStina- I
ton, Cooke City. There came in con-
tact to my surprise with number OF
outstanding personalities, such men as
Major George and his brother Charles
Eaton who were operating the Republic
mine and smelter; George Huston, BIZ
Nicoll, Vic and Steve Trodinnick, John
Allen, and a number Of others whom
I cannot recall, all interested IN min
ing ventures looking for the golden
rainbow was also devout believer IN
that mythical legend of that pot OF
gold and was told the only require
ments necessary to obtain 1t was per-
severance, hard work and endurance.
Together with the mining property we
had previously purchased, I located
other mining claims looking for that
much coveted treasure, only to become
foot-sore, fatigued, skeptical, d1sillus-
toned and to say the least, disappointed
after long hours Of daily work Noun
tains were high, trails were steep and
rough, where cattle, If any, would have
to travel cautiously that they would
not have churned their udders into
butter; trails and mountains so high
and rough that 1t would make the rocky :.
road to Dublin look like the golden !
streets leading to the pearly gates Of J
Heaven.
When returning from the mining {
to Cooke City and what was )
designated a hotel, there were gath :
cred q number Of Woodworking natives i
from various eastern and western :
states, engaged in settling all of the :
questions confronting our 7
mining district, our country and the !
American people. Being IN a remote I
mountainous region, expected nothing !
beyond the average In humanity, but 7
10, to my surprise, it was not difficult 5
10 distinguish that I was In the COM 3
pany of superiors, in intellect and cul-
lure although roughly dressed and &
shod. One naturally wondered from Fl