Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — Tin Mine Swindle. [ARTICLE]

Tin Mine Swindle.

Probably one of the greatest steals on record In the mining history of the Black Hills Is that of the Harvey Peak Tin Mining and Manufacturing Company. For an investment of some two and one half millions of dollars which were furnished by English capitalists, there remains to show for the investment only some out-of-date machinery, several large buildings an<i pome land. A few years ago tin bearing ore was discovered near Harvey Peak. Some of the most influential business men in the hills, together with capitalists from New York, plotted a scheme which was worked, which sunk thousands of English money and gave the Black Hills country a ten-years’ setback. A large mill was first built, then filled with expensive machinery for the purpose of mining tin. It was commonly said that there was enough tin in the mine to “roof the whole vault of heaven.” But one run was made by the mill, when it was closed down. Enough tin was milled to rope in the buyers, and the transaction was made. The mine has been shut down ever since. There was an attempt made to reorganize the company and begin operations again, but the general report is that the deal has fallen through. There was a time when Eastern capital was anxious to make Investments m Black Hills mining property, w 7 hen almost any amount of money could be obtained simply upon a fair representation of the resources of the mine. Since this Harvey Peak swindle, however, the Eastern men have withdrawn their money, and as a consequence many valuable claims have remained undeveloped. The Black Hills is just emerging from the shame of this deal. During the past few months more Eastern capital has come this way and found investments than for any like period for some time. Confidence is gradually being restored and capital Is once more turning toward the hills.—Minneapolis Times.