Wednesday, April n, 1900
8
THE SUMPTER MINER.
PRICE OF PROSPECTS.
Some Sensible Observations
by a Colorado Man.
We must all acknoledge that the "best
mining men" in the world Infest Colorado
and Montana. If there is a shade of differ
ence between the two; if one is a trifle
better posted in the business than the
other, the man from Colorado will frank
ly confess Uiat the miners who operate in
the Centennial state stand at the head of
the class. It was one of the latter whom
Till: MlNI-R quotes below. His name is
not given, in accordance with his request,
based on a statement which shows that
he Is fairly well versed in human nature,
as well as mining lore. The topic under
discussion was the price placed on pros
pects in the Sumpter district. It was at
iiu informal gathering In one of the pop
ular resorts of this camp; a midnight
function attended by a few choice spirits.
Those present had feasted on cheese and
crackers and partaken of each other's hos
pitality to that extent that they felt kindly
towards all minkiud. No one was trying
to make a deal, so no one felt the stern
necessity of speaking other than plain,
unadorned truth. It was up to the gen
tleman from Colorado, who remarked:
"You all agree that men holding claims
In this district place too high a valuation
on their 'properties,' as they delight to
call them. There Is more or less truth in
what you say, but it Is a delicate question
for one In my position to discuss, and I
wouldn't tike for the boys In this district
to hear that I was going around making
that sort o( a talk. I came here to buy.
It makes a man mad to have any one tell
hln Hat footed that his claim Is not worth
what he is asking for it, Implying the
most offensive of nil insults to a prospec
tor either way he takes It that he is
not a judge of a mine,or else that he is try
ing to rob you. If he has lots nf flour
and bacon, sugar and coffee in his cabin,
it also makes him stubborn, and you are
then wasting time trying to deal with
him. So you will kindly, 'lor goodness
sake don't say I told you,' as the girl
used to sing at one of Leadvllle's thespiau
temples a lew years ago.
"And their are two sides to this ques
tion, as toallothers. I have prospered my
self .ind know what I'm talking about,
hi all my life, I have never had anything
to tire me up as qukU or make me mad
der than to have one of those patronizing,
provincial New Yorkers, on his lirst trip
West, strike a camp and begin at once to
kick on the grub and then whirr around
because he couldn't buy a claim at his
own price. 'I hey don't Know any more
about wli.it a prospect is worth than their
hired expert does. I hey don't know u hat
it has cost the ptospector in hardship and
labor, in piivatton and the greatest ot all
spiritual dials, hope alwaysdeterreJ. Hut
the man with the pick Knows, and w hen
tills man ol easy, questionable made mil
lions otters a mete pittance of his money,
which lie so transparently worships, olfers
it as if be were doing some one a tavor, hi
exchange for these expendituies of physi
cal and mental force, it is enough to drive
a man to hard dtiuk. What do you peo
ple want? (live me some of the same.
"Now, frtr the other side. Money is
what develops a mine, as well as what
makes the mare go. Not one locator In
ten thousand ever makes a mine out of
his location. He made it to sell iu (act,
that is what all mineral deposits were
originally designed for. My experience
has taught me that the wisest policy for
the piospector to pursue is to sell when he
gets a chance. He is sure then to be
ahead of the game In the long run. Of
course if lie has what looks like a good
thing, It is best for hirn to retain an in
terest, if possible, but sell. Aside from
the consideration of the cash he gets, (and
immediately spends) it helps him to turn
another trick; for every outside dollar
that comes Into a camp influences another
to come. So far as the price of a prospect
Is concerned, the man was never made
who could tell whether It is worse than
worthless or Is worth millions.
"Prices asked are pretty stiff here, the
'blind' Is too high for the subsequent play.
The cause of this is all the talk you hear
among the boomers about 'there never
having been a failure where you have
gone down.' This Is a great mining
country, all right enough, but there are
going to be some blanks drawn; remem
ber what I tell you."
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
Town Officers Choten at Canyon City,
Prairie City and John Day.
Monday last was election day in this
city, John Day and Prairie City, and con
sequently everybody went dry, as the law
requires that the saloons shall be closed
on that day.
Very little Interest centered In the elec
tion here, as there was but the one ticket
nominated and the majority of. the voting
pepulac: were Indifferent about voting.
There were only $2 votes castand the fol
lowing officers were elected: Mayor, F.
S. Simpson; recorder, Wrfi. Farre; treas
urer, G. I. Hazeltine; councilmen, Win.
Bryam, A. J. Stephens, Walt Thompson,
Charles Brown and Roland Chambers.
The elections at Prairie City and John
Day were a little more Interesting, as two
tickets were in the field at John Day and
several candidates were on the ticket at
Prairie City.
Following are the results of the elec
tions In the neighboring tewns:
John Day Mayor, E. J. Bayley; re
corder, J. W. McCulloch; marshal,
Charles Angell; treasurer, Frank Hach
eney; councilmen, C. P. Johnson, H. M.
Basford, C. H. Timms, W. H. Geiger, E.
Hall and F. I. McCallum.
l-'or incorporation, 58; against Incorpor
ation, 6; 74 votes were cast in all.
Prairie City Recorder, George Dollina;
treasurer, W. R. Fish; marshal, J. B.
McHntyre; councilmen; V. C. Belknap,
A. L. Habcock and G. W. McCord.
Canyon City News.
Claims to Have Discovered Magnetic Pole.
A Wellington, New Zealand, press dis
patch, dated April I possibly an April
fool joke says: The exploring steamer
Southern Cross, bearing Mr. C. E. Borch
greviuk and the survivors of the South
polar expedition fitted out in 1898 by Sir
George Newness, of London, arrived to
day at Campbelltown, near Bluff Harbor,
N. Z. Mr. Borchgrevlnk reports that the
magnetic pole has been located. Mr. N.
Hansen, one of the zoologists who started
witli the expedition, died on the voyage.
The expedition left llobart, Tasmania,
for the Antarctic region on December ly,
1808. During the latter part of February,
i8yo, the members landed from the South
ern Cross near Cape Adair, Victorialaud,
it having been arranged that the steamer
should leave them there with full equip
ment of every kind, and should return for
them early in 1900. Mr. Borchgrevlnk's
party consisted of nine, including himself.
Lieutenant W. Colbeck, R. N. B., was
selected as first magnetic observer, to be
assisted by Mr. Louis Bemacchl, Mr. N.
Hansen and Mr. Hugh Evans were chosen
as zoologists and Dr. H. Kloevstadas
medical officer. Mr. Fougnai was general
utility man and cook. With these went
two natives of Finland to look after ninety
dogs. Enormous supplies of provisions
were laid in.
The Mint saloon, corner Center nad
Sumpter streets, serves the best brands
on y of wines, liquors and cigars.
Columbia beer, brewed in Sumpter, is
second to none.
THE WONDER
GEO. W. WEIGAND,
PROPRIETOR.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
A complete stock of Dry Goods, Ladies and Men's Furnishings, Boots,
v Shoes, Hats and Clothing.
THE WONDER, BOURNE, OREGON
Fills Prescriptions
at
Popular Prices
and
Keeps a Full Line of
Patent
Medicines,
Assayers' Supplies,
Etc.
M. B. MERCER
Reliable
Druggist...
Sumpter, Ore. phone $71
CASE FURNITURE COMPANY
THE HOME FURNISHERS
Parlor, Dining and Bed Room Furniture In sets' or separate pieces.
Beautiful line nfCarpets, Linoleum and Mattings. Come in and let
us explain why you can save money by buying at home.
We can positively do so.
Opera house Block - Sumpter, Oregon
y4
A. P. GOSS, President
A. J. GOSS, Cashier
0 Bank of Sumpter 3
Transitu t OiM'il linalaf ImImii
Drafts drawn on all parts of the world. Special attention to collections.
Safety Deposit boxes for rent.
SUMPTER. OREGON
4
r'''
KENTUCKY LIQUOR HOUSE
Wholesale and Retail
finest brands ol bonJeJ bottle eonjs, IncluJInc OIJ Overtoil, Green River, Monogram. Jess Moor
Watson's Scotch, Canadian Club Whiskies anJ llenncssy .Star llranjy, Ssmitsr Itttllaf Wirkl
In CKcci.
GAGEN & SLOAN, - - Proprietors
Gen'l Agts. Celebrated Olympia Beer on draught or by bottle.
W. S. BOWERS
ABSTRACTS
Reil Estate, Loans and Insurance. Mining Patents Obtained
Years of experience In Baker County Records.
No. 2104 Court Street, Baker City; Oregon.
IftOOOOOOOOOOOOOl ' I ' X""V
r The Olympus"
for
the Celebrated
BOHEMIA H' FINGER, Proprietor.
BEER
On draught or '
by bottle. High Grade Wines, . Qi imnfpr Or
looooooooooooool . Liquors and Cigars. OUIIIJld Wl
y