The Philipsburg mail (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1898-12-23 [p...

COMPLIMNIHT8 OF THI SISON COMPLIMENT8 OF THI 8RSON

VOL. XII: NO.48. PHILIPSBURG, GRANITE COUNTY, MONTANA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1898. PRICE: $3.00 A YEAR.

IN ALL •-iviliz countries the annual recurrence of Christmas

while this ruler was keeping court at Nioomedia, he learned that a

to the building, and all the worshipers perished. It doesnotappear

ti / In ativity among the early churches; some held the festiitva inds themonth of itution or April, otherstiva in January Some laimesprs have also

eemeflourished during the ieign ot Antobb inos inus (138161 A. D

S11to arrivbthe fat a certain conclusion. By the fifth century, however,

Swhetheror from ods (18A D) n the influence of some tradition or from a desire toI I I \ whisuppla n t heathen festivals of that p eriod of the year, the 25th daymultitude of had b een generally assembled upon. Among the city to rate thethat th-oere was any uniformity in the n period of observin th Imonth of May or April, others in January. Some claims have also1 .been made for the month of October, but It does not seem possibleto arrive at a certain conclusion. By the fifth century, however, jwhether from the influence of some tradition or from a desire tosupplant heathen festivals of that period of the year, the 25th daySof December had been generally agreed upon. Among the causes f

a I that co-onerated in fixing this nerinA as the nrnnor moinarmann that

A HIDDEN TREASUREIt Is Said to Exist in the Mountains Between

Rock Creek and Bitter Root.

THE STORY OF A LOST MINE

An Old Time Prospector Meets With a

Peculiar Accident-He Believes to

Have Re-Discovered Ills Lost

Mine-Is Rich in Gold.

Many stories of lost mines and dig-gings have been written and have gen-erally been accepted for what they wereworth, but this particular incident, re-lated by a well-known, old-time pros-pector who resides on Rock creek, andwhose reputation for the truth is un-questioned, slhould be accepted as some-thing beside a fairy tale. On one ofhis recent visits to The Philipsburg Mailoffice for the purpose of supplyinghimself with a number of quartz lodelocation blanks, this gentleman, feelingparticularly encouraged over discover-ies just made and his prospects for thefuture, related a story which he insistsis absolutely true, and he says the com-ing summer he expects to open up agreat mine. He exhibited specimens ofthe quartz, which are equailed only bythe early products of the famous Cablemine, near Georgetown. He claimsto have a lead several feet in width andwell defined.

The narrative as related by him be-gins during the summer of 1897, whenhe left his camp on Rock creek with apack horse loaded with tools and provi-sions for a several weeks' prospectingtrip in the mountains forming themain range between Rock creek andthe Bitter Root. He found encouragingpropects in several places, and aftermoving camp a number of times hecame across some float one morningthat looked better than anything hehad seen for a long time. Desiring toexamine his find more closely, he madecamp in the first suitable place wherewater was to be had, about a mile fromwhere he had picked up the float. Af-ter unpacking he pouuded up a piece ofrook which he had put irto his pocket,and panning it, found that it containedlots of gold.

He spread his tarpaulin, and turninghis horse loose to graze, returned totrace the float. That day and severalmore were spent in search of the leadwithout success, but some more floatwas picked up which did not requirepaning to see the gold in it. Thelead, however, was what is termed a

- "blind" lead, and it required a system-atic search to find it. After runningseveral open cuts a well defined leadwas finally uncovered, which provedricher than the float had indicated.Several weeks were spent in daily toil,during which time the pack animal waslost sight of entirely, and not until his

- 'rub ran short did the haupy prospectorbegin to realize that his cayuse had de-parted for pastures new.

Not in the least discouraged, he putsome choice samples from his el dorado

in a flour sack, and leaving the campas it was, struck out one morning withthe sack containing the samples flungover his shbulder, homeward bound,with the intention of returning at oncewith provisions and supplies to furtherdevelop his mine. The day was windy,and while making nis way through apatch of lodge-pole pines, where timberfire had done its work several yearspreviously, the prospector was struckon the head by a falling pole whichrendered him unconscious. How longhe laid there he does not exactly know;it was night when he recovered, andhe reacheo home the following daywith his samples of are.

The strange part of it, however, isthat he has been unable to find hismine, although the remainder of thesummer of '97 and several months oflast summer have been spent entirelyfor that purpose. He has retraced hisoath time and again to the place where*e was nearly killed by the falling pole,but farther than that everything is amatter of conjecture, and he cannotremember the direction from which hecame on that eventful day. His camp-ing outfit is in te mountains and hispick and shovel are at the mine, theappearance of the surroundings areclear to him, and he anticipates no dif-ficulty in finding the place if once inthe vicinity.

Snow falls early in that section andthe seasons are short, which limitsprospecting to the summer months.While returning from the mountainsthis fall after snow was upon theground, he passed through a section ofcountry which seemed familiar, and herecognized objects which he believes tobe near his lost mine; but the snow wastoo deep to renew his search at thattime. As a precaution he took his axand blazed trees all the way out, wher-ever that could be done, and as soon asthe snow disappears from the moun-tains next spring he will be found onthe trail, and guided by the blazedrees, he believes he will have no diffi-

culty in recovering his lost mine.'1 he horse which strayed from camp

while the owner was at work in hismine was found on his home rance onRock creek when our prospector re-turned, and has since that time accom-panied his master on several unsuccess-ful excursions through the mountains.

This story no doubt has some sem-blance with others that have been toldregarding lost mines and lost cabinsand should be given such considerationas it merits, but the relater is a promi-nent and reliable citizen of Rock creek,who has no cause or reason for makingup a yarn of this nature if there wereno truth in it.

In relating his experience he wasparticularly careful not to reveal thelocality o: his much-coveted gold mine,saying that he intended to locate suff-cient ground for himself first before helet others in on the deal.

It is an acknowledged fact that agood deal of prospecting will be donein this particular range of mountainsthe coming summer, and several of theold timers are anxious for the time tocome when they can depart for the hills.Judging from the actions of some ofthem one would think that they knewjust where to go, and perhaps all have afaint iaea that they can find the lostbonanza of this Rock creek miner.Whether or not this lost gold mine willbe found remains to be seen, but greatmineral wealth is known to exist in thisrange of mountains, which forms theboundary line between Granite and Ra-valli counties, and the prospector who

almost all the heathen nations regarded the winter solstice as themost important point of the year, as the beginning of the renewedlife and activity of the powers of nature, and of the gods-whowere merely the symbolical personification of these. In morenorthern countries this fact must havrd mde itself peculiarlypalpable, since from the oldest times the Germans and C(elts havecelebrated the season with the greatest festivities, At the wintersolstice the Germans held their great Yule feast in commemorationof the return of the fiery sun-wheel, and believed that during thetwelve nights reaching from December 25th to the 6th of Januarythey could trace the movements and interferences on earth of theirgreat dieties. Many of the usages of the old Germans relating tothis matter passed over from heathenism to christianity, and havepartly survived to the present day. The church sought to combatand banish the deep-rooted heathen feeling by adding, for thepurification of the heathen customs and feasts which it retained,its grandly devised liturgy, besides dramatic representations of thebirth of Christ and the first events of his life. Hence originatedthe so-called manger songs and innumerable Christmas carols anddramas, and at a later period the Christ trees, adorned with lightsand gifts, the custom of reciprocal presents, and special Christmasmeats and dishes, Christmas cakes and the like. In later years ithas become usual for friends to forward to one another gaily 1decorated cards bearing Christmas greetings. The first Christmaspresent is associated with the night of the nativity, but the visit ofthe three wise men did not occur until probably ten or twelve daysafter the birth of the child Jesus. The first Christmas gifts werenot received on the night of the advent, and the shepherds hadreturned to their duties before the town of Bethlehem was stirredby the presence of noted strangers from a distant land. Traditioncontains an abundance of detail, but harmony is lacking among thevarious stories. The three wise men are called kings, then priests,and in other instances sages; but all accounts agree upon the namesof Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Caspar, it is said, was 60 yearsold and came from Arabia; Balthasar was 40 and black like thepopulation of Saba, and Melchior was 20 and his home is said tohave been in Tarshish. Balaam, a wise man of the east, had pre-dicted the advent of a king, and a conjunction of Saturn, Mars andJupitor at that particular period, according to the astronomiccalendar, no doubt explains the unusual splendor of the star whichlead the holy elders to believe that the king had been born, andthey journeyed to Bethlehem and found their way into that humbleabode with gifts fit for a king. Thus the custom of giving presentson Christmas Day has been handed down for ages and the annualrecurrence of Christmas is being celebrated with festivities ofvarious kinds. The houses and churches are decorated with ever-greens, especially holly and mistletoe, to which tradition hasattached sacredness since the days of the Druids.

X -X x

devotes his time searching for mines inthat locality stands a better chance ofmaking a fortune than all the men whodeparted for the Klondike during lastyear.

JOINED IN WEDLOCK.

James C. Duffy and Miss May McDonald

Agreeably nurprise Their Friends.

The popular secretary of the GraniteMiners' Union, Mr. J. C. Duffy, andMiss May .McDonald were married lastSunday at St. Paul's Catholic church,at Anaconda, Rev. Follet performingthe ceremony. Both parties are welland favorably known in this section,andtheir many friends wish them manyyears of uninterrupted joy and happi-ness. Mr. Duffy has for many yearsbeen identified with the government ofthe Granite Miners' Union, and theprosperous condition of that organiza-tion is abundant evidence of his excel-

lent business abilities and a faithfulapplication to the duties of secretary.His reheated selection to the responsi-ble position of financial secretary indi-cates that he enjoys the utmost confl-dence of his fellow miners, and thathis services are highly appreciated.

Miss McDonald is a most estimablelady, of high intellectual attainments,and for several years has be en a promi-nent leader of Granite society.

The happy couple returned on Tues-day's train, and are now comfortablysettled at home in Granite.

The Mail joins the many friends ofMr. and Mrs. Duffy in extending con-gratulations.

Frost-Ryan Nuptials.

A pretty wedding took place at Com-bination last Sunday, Mr. EdwardRyan and Miss Roena Frost being thecontracting parties. The ceremony wasperformed at the home of the bride's

mother, Mrs. Blair King, Rev. J. B.Butter officiating. Miss Mamie Blev-

ins, of Granite, acted as bridesmaid,and Mr. Alf Ballard, of Philipshurg,was best man. A large number offriends were present, and the occasionwas one long to be remembered. Mr.and Mrs. Ryan have located at Granite,where they will be at home to theirfriends. A large circle of acquaint-ances. (which is joined by The Mailbextends its best wishes for many yearsof joy and happiness.

MORE MINERS WILL BE NEEDED.

The Iimetalllc Mill Is Now I)ropping 1OStamps-Tramway Iram Ieen Repaired.

Eighty stamps are now dropping atthe mill of the Granite-Bimetallic Con.Co. and tbe remaining twenty will beadded as soon as the work of overhaul-ing is completed. The breaking of oneof the heavy cables on the tramway lastweek caused no serious delay and every-thing is again running smoothly. Withthe mill running in its full capacity itwill require more men at the mine andthe present force will have to be in-creased considerably to keep thingsgoing.

ONLY THE CHOICE ONES WERE KISSED.

Lieut. Richard P. Hobson Is Hlaving a Yum,

Yum, Yum of a Time.

The gallant commander of the Merri-mac was the central figure of attractionin Kansas City last Monday. Lieut.Hobson is on his way to Manila and agrand banquet and reception was givenin his honor at the Coates hotel. Themore exciting part of it came when thelieutenant was escorted to the parlorson the second floor, where more than400 women-young, old, handsome andplain-wanted to greet the popularhero. Most of them came to be kissed,and 267 of them, by actual count, werenot disappointed. Some of the morematronly of them received a cordialhandshake and were passed up the line,but the most of them who showed theleast inclination were embraced andkissed.

Could Not Accommodate Them.

Information concerning the Russiangovernment loan sought to be placed inthis country was given out Tuesday byJ. & W. Seligman & Co. of New York.

This firm's London representativestabled to the New York house askingwhether or not they could place $10,-

)00,000 four per cent 30-year Russianrailway bonds, guaranteed by the Rus-lian government. The matter was con-sidered and decided in the negative.

ATTENTION, MASONS I

A joint celebration of St.John's Day will be held atMiners' Union Hall, Gran-ite, on Tuesday evening,December 27, 1898, under

the auspices of the various Masonic3odies of Granite County and speciallirection of Ruby Lodge, No. 36, A. F.snd A. M.

Dancing and other entertainment, to-gether with a banquet, will be the feat-ares of the evening.

All Masons and their families, andsojourning brethren, are cordially in-vited to attend.

By order of the-Invitation Conmmnittee.

THE ANTELOPE MINESWork on This Promising Group Is to Be Re-

sumed in the Spring.

A FIFTY-TON CYANIDE PLANT

Thl Necessary Funlds IHave Ieen Provldedanti the 1I 111 Will le ('onstructed.

An English Syndlliate Is Said

to Hold an Initerest.

It i, reported that the coming springwill witness considerable activity inthe Antelope mining district. Reliableinformation is at hand that a 50-toncyanide plant will be erected on theproperties of James A. Mnrray andSilas F. King, now in charge and underthe management of Frank D. Brown.An English syndicat , is said to haveacquired a considerable interest in thisproperty and a working capital of $50,-000 has been set aside for the purposeof constructing the mill. Several ad-joining mining claims have recentlybeen added to the group by purchaseand the principal claims will be patent-ed soon after the beginning of tne newyear. As soon as practicable a wagonroad will be constructed from the minesto a point on the county road leadingto Rock creek via Antelope Basin, adistance of about 7 miles, thus provid-ing a highway easy of access to thispromising property. The mine hasbeen sufficiently developed during thepast year, under the able managementof Mr. Brown, and is in excellent con-dition to furnish sufficient ore for amuch larger plant, and, no doubt, incourse of time the plant will be en-larged to at least double its present con-templated capacity.

Mr. Brown deserves much credit forthe manner in which the developmentwork has been carried on. Substantialbuildings have been erected and every-thing is in readiness for active oper-ations. Sufficient tests of the ore havebeen made to assure the successful andeconomical treatment by the cyanideprocess, and although this is a new de-parture in Granite county it is assertedto be exactly adapted for the treatmentof the ores from the Antelope mines.

A Pretty Home Wedding.The home of Mr. and Mrs. D. W.Hennessy at Flint witnessed a very

pretty wedding this afternoon, Miss

Bernice Frost and Mr. Orry Johnsonbeing the contracting parties. Theceremony took place about 3 o'clock,Rev. J. A. Smith of this city officiating.A sumptuous wedding dinner wasserved and all present had a most en-joyable time. The bride is a daughterof Mrs. Blair King of Combination anda highly respected and accomplishedyoung lady and Mr. Johnson is a prom-ising young man of excellent habits, theson of Mrs. D. W. Hennessy, and en-joys the respect and confidence of hisassociates. The many friends of theyoung couple extend congratulationsand wish them long, continued happi-ness, in which The Mail joins.