Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1888 — The Curse of Gold. [ARTICLE]

The Curse of Gold.

Col. Storey, a wealthy miner, was killed by the Pyramid Indians. John Homer, of the Homer mine, spent his last cent, and then put a bullet through his brain. The discoverer of the Standard mine in California was swallowed up by an avalanche. ’ “Doughnut Bill,” “Old Eureka,” and “Nine-Mile Clarke” died literally in their shoes, being killed in saloon scuffles. William Fairweather, who brought to light the hidden treasures of Alger Gulch, came to his death by drinking and riotous living. ’ The owner of the Homestake mine became a highwayman; one day he attacked a mail coach, but the attendants shot him dead. Montana Plummer, who discovered one of the richest mines in the world, and was Sheriff for a time, died on the gallows. George H. Fryer, from whom the Fryer Hill mine had its name, committed suicide in Denver. Two years before his death he possessed $1,01)0,000; the expenses of his funeral had to be paid by the authorities. There is a singular superstition in the mining districts of America that the discoverers of hidden treasures in the bowels of the earth are sure •to meet with a violent end. The original proprietors of close on forty successful mines have been accounted for in this way. Twelve were shot, three were ingulfed, while the rest disappeared in the c.ties of Dakota and New Mexico, and were never heard of afterward.