History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 48

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

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He received the appointment of Judge of the Police Court in April, 1881. He has a son and daughter, aged, respectively, eighteen and sixteen years, who are now attending the Brinker Institute, at Denver.

ANSON H. MALLORY.

Mr. Mallory is one of Colorado's "old tim- ers," having crossed the plains in 1860. He is from Massachusetts, where he was born in 1823. He emigrated to Kansas in 1854, and located in Douglas County on a farm. In the spring of 1860, he came to Colorado, and settled on a farm nine miles below Denver, on Platte River; in 1863, he moved to Black Hawk, and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness and mining, subsequently going to James- town, where he continued the same business for several years. He was engaged in the real estate business in Evans eighteen months, during which time he was elected Justice of the Peace. In 1878, he came to Leadville, and engaged in the real estate bus- iness and mining, having been very success- ful, now owning a large amount of real estate. He has a family, consisting of a wife and three children.

SAMUEL McMILLEN.

Mr. McMillen is one of Leadville's most successful merchants; the same is due to his strict attention to business, and his upright dealings with all classes of his customers; he is engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, at all times carrying a stock in that line that is sufficient to meet the demands of his varied patrons. His place of business is located on Chestnut street, the same which he has occupied since first engaging in business, on the 8th of August, 1878. He is also one of Colorado's pioneers in mining, and since his arrival in this district has been identified with some of the most wonderful mines in this camp, realizing out of the same a great amount of wealth. He was born in Canada, in 1848, where he remained until 1870, engaged in farming; he received no education, as he says, to speak of, having acquired what he has through his contact with men of the world, met in every-day life. After leaving his native home, he came direct to Colorado, stopping at

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Georgetown, then at Silver City, in New Mexico; at both places he engaged in mining; in the latter place he still owns large interests. In the spring of 1872, he departed for Arizona, meeting with much trouble from the Indians on his way there. On his return from Ari- zona, the same year, he came by way of Silver City again, then through the San Juan and Gunnison countries of Colorado. On this trip, he discovered anthracite coal, being one of the first discoverers of the same. On the 10th of August, 1872, he reached California Gulch, where now stands Leadville. He then worked on the Lower Printer Boy lode, for Wells, Bernard & Stadt; also on the Upper Printer Boy until the spring of 1873, when he left for Fairplay, in Park County, walking on snow-shoes, and shoveling away snow to find a trail. He then discovered the Last Chance Mine, on the north fork of Four Mile Creek, in Horse Shoe District. In July, of that year, he returned to the Gunnison coun- try, where he spent each successive summer for several years, always seeking other parts of Colorado during the winter months of these years. Mr. McMillen was engaged all of this time in mining, having worked on the famous mines in Moose and Lincoln Mountains. In 1877, he came to Leadville with Andy Gill, and took a contract on the Frenchman lode; afterward was Superintendent of the Crescent; he was also interested in the Cyclops and Devlin, and Superintendent of the Little Chief. Mr. McMillen was then tendered charge of one of the leading mines in the district, which he declined, in order to devote more attention to some of his own property. On the 29th of May, 1879, he, with Mr. Foss, bonded the Highland Chief and Glencross lodes, on Breece Hill. He then managed it. as Superintendent, until the property got into litigation; after the settlement of their diffi- culties, he again resumed his position, and was a large stockholder in the company that was formed. In the same year, he bought into the Glass-Pendery Mine, and is now a large stockholder in this famous property; he has large interests in all the camps surround- ing Leadville, as well as here. He devotes a great deal of his time and attention to specu- lating in mining property, his known good

judgment and honesty being so thoroughly relied upon that he has made this branch of his business a great success. In the spring of 1879, he was elected an Alderman of the city of Leadville, which office he held with great credit to himself.

HON. OSCAR L. MATTHEWS.

Oscar L. Matthews was born in Mentor, Ohio, in 1827. At ten years of age he re- moved, with his parents, to White Pigeon, Mich., and afterward to Iowa, settling in what was known as the Colony. He soon returned to Ohio, where he attended school as a class- mate of President and Mrs. Garfield. After attending school for three years, he returned to Iowa and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. As opportunity and circumstances would allow, he afterward attended Bethany College, West Virginia, graduating in 1860. In the winter of the same year, he started for California, by the isthmus, arriving in Febru- ary, 1861. At Woodland, in that State, he founded a Collegiate Institute, which is to-day one of the most prosperous on the Pacific Coast, having over 400 students. Here he remained, as Professor, something over a year. He was the founder of Inyo County, Cal., aud was its first County Judge, appointed by Gov. Law. In 1871, Judge Matthews came to Colorado, residing first at Denver, and after- ward, at Colorado Springs. He subsequently went to Ouray, where he engaged in mining, and was prominent in securing a large share of the attention that was bestowed upon that part of the State. In 1878, he located in Leadville, where he has since been engaged in the real estate and mining business. He is Secretary of the Central Colorado Prospect- ing and Mine Developing Company, a cor- poration which owns fourteen different mining properties of great promise. He has been Justice of the Peace in Leadville, and here, as elsewhere, is regarded as a gentleman of integrity and an upright, honorable citizen.

PATRICK J. McCANN.

The subject of this sketch was born in Du- buque, Iowa, August 15, 1846. He attended the public schools in that town, together with a Commercial College, for several years, and

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commenced clerking for a grocery, grain and provision store at an early age. In the spring of 1866, he came West, to Central City, Colo., and was employed running an engine for the Rocky Mountain Mining and Milling Com- pany; also engaged in prospecting, mining and building mills, for a period of three and a half years. For a brief period, he was in business for himself, buying, sampling and assaying ores; having sold out, he came to Leadville, in the fall of 1879, and at present is one of the partners of the Tabor Milling Company, who do a very large and remunera- tive business in treating ores by what is known as the dry process. Mr. McCann is married, and has a handsome residence in Leadville, and is known as an energetic, active citizen.

. JOHN D. MCCARTHY.

J. D. McCarthy, of the well-known firm of Manville & McCarthy, the pioneer hardware house of Leadville, was born in Ireland December 18, 1847. He spent his early life with his parents, and at the age of nineteen emigrated to America, landing in Boston July 4, 1866. After a brief stay, he returned to Ireland, and again came to America, landing in New York November 3, 1867. In 1870, he came West, and has been actively engaged in the hardware trade, acting as traveling agent for several of the leading wholesale hardware houses in St. Louis and Kansas City, and is well-known all over the West and Southwest, and commands an extensive trade in the line in which he is interested. This enterprising and successful firm are just com- pleting a large and commodious brick build- ing, on the corner of Fifth and Harrison ave- nues, just opposite the post office; the store- room and basement will be occupied by them, with their line of goods giving them an in- creased capacity for storing their immense stock they are compelled to carry to meet the demands in their growing trade. Capt. Mc- Carthy has experienced the extremes of vary- ing fortune, but his spirit has always been buoyant, and so hopeful and energetic that he quickly recovers from any business adversity. His many sterling qualities, his activity, energy and enterprise, united with a pleasant and

genial disposition, have won for him inany friends, both in business and social life. Since coming to Leadville, he has taken an active part in everything pertaining to the welfare and interest of the city, and is Cap- tain of the Tabor Cavalry Company, of the State Militia, and which company rendered very valuable and efficient service in quelling the mining riots, of June, 1880; Capt. Jack, as he is familiarly known, is also interested in some valuable mining property, in Park County, which he is developing and is exceed- ingly hopeful of the future wealth of that old mining district. He was married, September 15, 1866, and has a family of children. We take pleasure in referring to the subject of this sketch, as he has established himself so young in years. Such a one we are glad to meet, for we see in him a man of unusual promise, and who, without disaster, will, at no distant period, ascend to an enviable rank of wealth and importance in the community in which he lives.

HON. JAMES Y. MARSHALL.

Few men are more widely known or more highly esteemed in Colorado than James Y. Marshall. Not only is he marked as an able lawyer, and a leading member of the bar, but as a capitalist and mine owner. Mr. Marshall was born in Mercer Co., Penn., in 1850, and received the rudiments of his education at his native place. At an early age, he removed to Michigan, and completed his education at Ann Arbor, graduating at Ann Arbor University in 1869. He removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he practiced law for a period of three years. In the spring of 1872, he came West, and located at Fairplay, Park Co., Colo., where he resumed the practice of law. In 1875, he was elected to the Legislature from this district, and served with credit and dis- tinction. He subsequently came to Leadville, where he still resides. Since locating at Lead- ville, Mr. Marshall has given his attention to mining and milling, and is President of the Robert E. Lee Mining Company, Managing Director of the Breece Mining Company, Director and part owner of the Tabor Milling Company, and interested in many other valu- able mining properties. We give a sketch of

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the celebrated Robert E. Lee Mine in this connection:

The richest and most productive mine in the camp is the famous Robert E. Lee, located on the east end of Fryer Hill, and comprising only six acres of territory. The Lee is located over a deposit of chloride ores, which, for ex- tent and richness, has never been surpassed. The first level is 167 feet below the surface. The mineral pitches from the west to the east, coming nearest to the surface along the west side line, and pitching downward, is lost un- der the water toward the east line. The pay in the Robert E. Lee consists of chlorides, which seem to be deposited everywhere, and in great abundance. Toward the west side, the intervening strata, between the wash and mineral, is a deposit of yellow clay, varying from two to four feet in thickness. This de- posit is full of chloride of silver and gives returns of from $150 to $250 to the ton. Be- low the clay are found deep bodies of iron and flint, which is studded with bright green chlorides, and mills from fifty to one hundred and fifty ounces. The chloride in these flint and iron rocks are deposited in the cleavages, and it is almost impossible to break a rock that does not disclose them in great profusion. Between the strata of flint and iron, there is a streak of chloride of silver from three to ten inches wide, which yields 30 to 60 per cent pure silver. The developments and ex- ploitation work at the Lee is not very exten- sive, and there is yet ample territory for new discoveries. Not being provided with a pump, the water prevents a full exploration of the ore bodies to the east, where it dips con- siderably, and where it has been found im- possibly to remove the water without a pump. In the underground workings of the mine, considerable money has been expended during the past year. The shaft has been relined, and all the old drifts retimbered. The ex- ploitation work has been carried on systemat- ically, and the greater portion of the ore body has been blocked out in squares of fifty feet each. The improvements on the surface have kept pace with the prosperity of the mine. An entire new engine and double steam-hoister were procured last June, which greatly in- creased the hoisting power of the mine. The

lixiviation works, erected early in the spring, have been changed into a sampling-mill, com- plete in every respect. The mill contains a large dryer upon the upper terrace, and the ore, as hoisted from the shaft, is run in a car direct to the dryer, and after having evapo- rated all the moisture, is passed through the crusher and rolls, and sampled and assayed. Thus the mine managers are always posted in the value of the ore in the bins, and can sup- ply smelters with any grade of ore desired. The sampling-mill is furnished with a large Blake crusher, a pair of large rolls and a set of small rolls, for reducing the samples. The mill is supplied with a separate engine and boiler, and run entirely independent of the other works about the mine. The Robert E. Lee Mine produced, previous to 1880, about $700,000 worth of ore. During the first two months of working the mine, the present own- ers took out enough to repay the price of the mine and a $100,000 dividend. In January, 1880, the product of the mine sold for $301,- 494. On the 13th of that month, an effort was made to see how much could be taken from the mine in twenty-four hours. Work

was commenced Monday noon, and in the suc- ceeding twenty-four hours, ninety-five tons of ore were hoisted, the aggregate value of which was $118,500. The following are some of the mill runs of the ore: Two tons ran 11,839; eight and one-tenth tons ran 4,993; eight tons ran 1,234; five and a half tons ran 1,088, and eight tons ran 569 ounces to the ton. When these ores were shipped to the sampling-mill, one load alone brought over $30,000. Since last January, the mine has been shipping very regular, and has averaged a net profit, over and above all expenses, of $100,000 per month, which has been divided among the owners, besides making numerous surface improve- ments. At the present time the pay-roll of the Robert E. Lee Mine carries 200 names and amounts to $17,000 per month. The other expenses, for supplies, timber, ore haul- ing, etc., amounts to nearly half as much, mak- ing the total amount of money disbursed by the mine, in this camp, nearly $25,000 per month. The Lee is now producing about one hundred tons of ore per day, as against forty tons per day during the first half of the year;

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the ore has an average assay value of about ninety ounces to the ton. The history of the Robert E. Lee Mine is briefly related as fol- lows: The real discoverer was George W. Belt, who, with William Knight and James V. Dexter, made a location, in June, 1878. In August of the same year, the mine not indi- cating big things, they sold it to Irving How- bert, of Colorado Springs, for $7,000, on a cash payment of $2,000, with ninety days' time for the other $5,000. This sale was made through a Mr. Rogers. But at the ex- piration of this time, Mr. Howbert failed to make final settlement, whereupon the property was sold again to H. O. Woolcott and Mr. Sampson, of Georgetown, on the same terms and time. About this time, J. H. Shekelford and Eddy & James secured an eighth interest each for $1,000. The mine was now in liti- gation, claimed by Irving Howbert and Wool- cott & Sampson, rich mineral being discov- ered in February, 1879. Here Mr. Lot Roude- bush, of New York, came into the mine's his- tory, bonding, on May 15, from both sides, for $250,000, apportioning, by mutual agreement, $135,000 to the Howbert party, and $115,000 to Woolcott. Mr. Roudebush then sold to Mr. James M. Sclover five-eighths of the property for $300,000, on a forfeit of $20,000. Sclover also failed to make connections, but paid the forfeit. Then again Roudebush bought the Woolcott party out, paying, it is thought, something like $260,000, and finally joined with the Howbert party, i. e., Irving How- bert, James M. Sigafus, B. F. Cromwell and the Rogers' interest, now owned by Hon. J. Y. Marshall, who, with Col. Humphreys and Homer Pennrock, are the present owners. The present officers are: Hon. James Y. Marshall, President; L. D. Roudebush, Vice President; Willis A. Barnes, Secretary and Treasurer. At mine: John D. Fleming, Agent, T. R. Blonger, Superintendent.

EMMETT NUCKOLLS.

This gentleman was born in Grayson Co., Va., the 16th of June, 1842. At a very early age, he came to Nebraska City, Neb., living with his older brother who was in business there, until the age of seventeen. In 1859, with many others, emigrated to Colorado, and

located at Denver, and engaged in the stock trade. The 1st of July, 1878, visited Lead- ville, and was so well pleased with the coun- try, he started the stock and wagon business, of which he is now one of the firm; they also are large dealers in hay and grain. Mr. Nuckolls has been successful in business. He is a member of the Board of Aldermen, and is one of Leadville's useful citizens. He was married, in November, 1866, aud has a family of four boys.

JOHN J. NIBLOCK.

John J. Niblock, of the firm of Niblock Bros., wholesale dealers in produce and pro- visions, was born in Canada in 1845, and at an early age removed to Rochester, N. Y., and commenced his mercantile life in the employ of Hamilton Matthews & Co., hardware dealers, at a very low salary. He came to Leadville in 1879, and joined his two brothers, William G. and Thomas, in the prosperous business they are now engaged in, and has been very successful. Mr. Niblock is unmarried, and is laying the foundation for a substantial fortune.

W. R. OWEN.

Mr. Owen, of the well-known firm of Owen & Chittenden, wholesale dealers in dry goods and carpets, was born in Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., January 3, 1852. After receiving a liberal education, he went to Portage, Wis., and engaged in the dry goods business, as a clerk, where he continued for one year. He also was engaged, as a clerk, at Fox Lake, Wis., for a period of three years, and in the spring of 1875, came to Denver, Colo. He entered the well-known dry goods house of Daniels & Fisher, and was the first represent- ative traveling agent that firm had on the road through the State; he continued with this firm three years. and while in their em- ploy visited the town of Leadville. Among his customers was Gov. H. A. W. Tabor, at that time keeping a small store in that place. In October, 1877, Mr. Owens opened the first dry goods store in Leadville, in a log building. The first year's business amounted to $70,000, on a capital of $2,500, and the second year, the spacious brick building, which they now occupy, was built, and the stock they carry now is estimated at over $125,000, being one

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of the largest exclusive dry goods firms in the county. This firin is also interested in the wholesale clothing house of Hanna, Chitten- den & Co., of Kansas City. At the age of twenty-nine, Mr. Owen finds himself one of the firm of perhaps the most extensive in their line, in Lake County, and which, under his skill and management, is yearly increas- ing. Mr. Owen is unmarried, and has started out in a business career which will undoubt- edly prove both honorable and successful.

JAMES O'CONNOR.

This gentleman was born at St. John, N. B., in 1846, where, when old enough, he en- gaged in farming and lumbering. He re- ceived but a common school education, and in 1865, moved to Pennsylvania, and engaged in the lumber business; one year afterward, he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and from there to Montana Territory, where he remained one winter. He then engaged in the lumber bus- iness in Idaho Territory, but, in July, of that year, went to Wyoming Territory and engaged in Gulch mining, where he amassed a fortune; he then engaged in the livery business, for three years. The Indians drove him out, in 1869, and stole all his stock, of over 150 head of horses. In 1870, he moved to Georgetown, Colo., and engaged successfully in mining. Three years later, he went to Lake City, Colo., thence to Prescott, Arizona, and, on hearing of the death, by shooting, of his brother, George, who was then City Marshal of Lead- ville, he returned to Colorado, and came to Leadville. While here, he has held the posi- tion of policeman and Street Commissioner; he is now in the livery business and also en- gaged in mining.

THOMAS B. POWERS.

Mr. Powers was born in Bloomington, Ill., in 1849. He remained in that State until early in 1863, when, with his parents, he re- moved to St. Joseph, Mo., where he was em- ployed on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- road, in the capacity of fireman, soon after running an engine and holding different responsible positions on that road during fifteen years, and losing an arm while in their em- ploy. He came to Denver, Colo., in 1878, for

the benefit of his wife's health, and was soon afterward employed by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, with headquarters at Cañon City. He came to Leadville in the spring of 1879, and obtained the position of taking charge of city prisoners, which he held until the fall of 1880, when he was elected a Jus- tice of the Peace, which office he now holds.

DANIEL E. PARKS.

Mr. Parks was born April 29, 1840, at Sandy Hill, Washington Co., N. Y., which place he made his home until he was thirty- three years of age. The greater portion of Mr. Parks' early education was derived from his own personal application to study, without the aid of any teacher. He afterward at- tended the common schools of New York, and this was supplemented by a classical course at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, where he graduated with honors. He began the study of law, in December, 1860, to which he studi- ously applied himself until his admission to the bar of New York, on the 4th of May,. 1865, passing an excellent examination before the Judges of the Supreme Court of that State. He followed his profession, at Sandy Hill, until the 1st of January, 1873. Finding that field too small for his labors, he moved to Washington, D. C., where he had been admit- ted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, having first been examined be- fore Chief Justice Chase on the 20th of March, 1872. On the 14th of January, 1873, he was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia. In May, 1873, Mr. Parks came to Colorado and located at Golden, he remaining there in the practice of law until January 1, 1878, when he removed to Georgetown, and finally settled in Leadville, on the 1st of April, 1878. He was admitted to the bar of the United States and District Courts of Colo- rado January 24, 1879. Mr. Parks has prac- ticed with unrivaled success at the bar of Lake County since his location there; he is now associated with Daniel J. Haynes, the firm ranking as one of the most successful in Lead- ville. Even to this day, he is an ardent and diligent student, a man of perseverance and acknowledged practicability. To Mr. Parks is due a great deal of credit for his instru-

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mentality in organizing the new county of Lake, he being one of the Commission who procured the passage of the bill creating the new county. He held the position of County Attorney of Lake, from the 8th of February, 1879, until the 15th of April, 1880, a position which came unsolicited on his part, and which he finally resigned on account of his large outside practice, which required all of his time and attention. He has taken an active part in politics ever since his advent in the State, be- ing a stanch Republican. He was instru- mental in securing the nomination of Hon. H. A. W. Tabor as Lieutenant Governor. He always raised a contention in conventions, through his exertions in furtherance of the rights of the locality in which he resided. He is largely interested in mining property, being the first President of the Gray Eagle Consolidated Mining Company, in Ten Mile District, the property lying on Sheep Mount- ain, and being the richest there. The suc- cess of this company is due to the untiring efforts and business management of the sub- ject of this sketch. He was the original lo- cator of the Union Emma lode, on Fryer Hill. He is interested in numerous very promising properties, has acquired consider- able wealth, is a gentleman of unquestionable honesty and confessed ability in the profes- sion which he follows, his large library being an index of his desire to serve his clients faithfully.

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 48

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080