Golden Fleece Mining and Milling Company (Iowa)

The Golden Fleece Mining and Milling Company (Iowa), was a mining company and was incorporated on May 7, 1893 Date is taken out of corporate records held at the Secretary of State of Iowa under the laws of the state of Iowa. It had an initial capital stock of $600,000, 600,000 shares, $1.00 each. The company was represented by its president Biddle Reeves and its secretary and treasurer George W. Peirce.The Mine, Quarry and Metallurgical Record of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mines & Quarry News Bureau, Chicago, 1897, p. 409. The difference between this company and the Golden Fleece Mining and Milling Company (New York), is very probably that the capital stock of $600,000 was organized under the same company name, but a separate incorporation in a different state.

The company had its administration at 101 Boston Building, Denver, Colorado.

The company had a predecessor under the same name of Golden Fleece Mining and Milling Company, of New York, which was formed in 1879 and incorporated 1882 under the laws of New York. Properties, including those in gold mining near Georgetown, Colorado, were taken over.

People involved

Biddle Reeves, the company’s first president, born November 18, 1850, was married to Maria Carver, by whom he had one son.Biddle Reeves was the son of Biddle Reeves (born May 14, 1814 near Woodbury, New Jersey; died June 19, 1852 in Woodbury) and Sarah (Scull) Reeves. Source: Sinnott, Mary Elizabet: Annals of the Sinnott, Rogers, Coffin, Corlies, Reeves, Bodine and allied families, 1905, p. 132-133. Mr. Reeves was prominently known in Colorado, and made some of his fortune as realtor in Colorado and Utah. His death on May 29, 1898, was worth a newspaper report: The excerpt from The Deseret News, May 30, 1898, page 2, and The New York Times, June 1, 1898, page 7, reads: Found Death on the Floor. Biddle Reeves, prominently connected with business in Utah, dies of Apoplexy. Denver., Colo., May 30. Mr. Biddle Reeves of the firm Reeves & Clemes, real estate and investment brokers, representing in Colorado and Utah the Mortgage Trust Company of Pennsylvania, was found death on the floor of his bedroom. Apoplexy caused his sudden death. He was born in Woodsbury, N.Y., 47 years ago. For years he was engaged in the manufacture of glassware with Samuel Tatua and company in Philadelphia and later was interested with his brother, Paul S. Reeves, in the manufacture of brass goods. His health failing him, he came west about 18 years ago.

George W. Peirce, secretary and treasurer of the company.The Mine, Quarry and Metallurgical Record of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mines & Quarry News Bureau, Chicago, 1897, p. 409. W. A. Akers, was superintendent and general manager at the Golden Fleece Mine (Colorado), at least until 1895.The Mine, Quarry and Metallurgical Record of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mines & Quarry News Bureau, Chicago, 1897, p. 409, 414. E. A. Kent, was named to be the first vice president of the company.The Mine, Quarry and Metallurgical Record of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mines & Quarry News Bureau, Chicago, 1897, p. 409. Silas S. Kennedy (born January 6, 1837; died at age 77, on June 7, 1914, in Denver An account of the life of Silas S. Kennedy was published by Mike McCormick in the Terre Haute Tribune Star: An HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: The Kennedy family from Center Point: Article published at Tribstar.com on December 20, 2008 ), a vice president of the company. Silas S. Kennedy was also founder of the Union Bank of Greeley, Colorado.History of the Union National Bank In 1889 he hired architect Eugene Remich Rice to construct an elegant residence for him and his family at 27th West & 2709 Federal Boulevard, Denver. William Millard Lippitt, born in Putnam, Connecticut, in 1864; died March 19, 1904, in Chicago, Ill. He was an engineer, employed at Golden Fleece Mining and Milling Co. in 1896 and 1897, and did all the surveying and map work for the company. Mr. Lippitt was alumni of Brown University, Providence.,Brown Alumni Monthly, The Brown Alumni Magazine Co., Brown University, Providence, R. I., Vol. 4, 1903 (June/May Issue), 1904, p. 224.Mining and metallurgy: American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Vol. 4-5, 1905, p. 772. Harold Butler Barnes, an electrical engineer, was chief engineer and director in 1922, when a revival attempt of the company was made. He was born on February 18, 1880, and was son of Phineas Barnes and Fanny Ellsworth Wood. Harold Butler Barnes died on May 12, 1938, at Denver, Colorado, at age 58.Leonard, John W.: Who's who in engineering, vol. 1, 1922, p. 103.Some information about Harold B. Barnes can be found at the homepage of Holcombe Family Genealogy: Mr. Barnes was inventor of some patents and made some contributions to the electrification of Chicago as author of a professional text book.Barnes, Harold Butler: Practical solution of the Chicago terminal electrification problem, 1920, 2 pl., 19 p. illus., diagr. Blanche Kibble,Blanche Kibble is the daughter of Ephraim T. Kibble (born October 30, 1861 in Edgar county, Illinois, died March 5, 1922) and Idella Hilton was secretary and treasurer of the revived Golden Fleece Mining and Milling Company of Denver, Colorado.Grant Lee Shumway: History of western Nebraska and its people. General history…, Lincoln, Neb.: The Western Publishing & Engraving Co., 1921, p. 339

Events

The gold robbery The rich gold ore from the company's gold mine in Georgetown, Colorado, and in some extent also at Golden Fleece Mine in Lake County, Colorado, attracted interest also from other sides. The ore was subject of a systematically robbery, which was uncovered in 1895.The New York Times, June 16, 1895, p. 1: Fortunes in Pilfered Mine Washings; Golden Fleece Company Loser - Thousands to Spend to Punish Thieves.San Francisco Call, June 15, 1895, p. 4: Robbery of a Rich Mine, Daring Theft of Ore at the Golden Fleece in Colorado.The New York Times, June 17, 1895, p. 1: Colorado's Mine Thieves. Probable They Have Stolen Ore Worth Millions Of Dollars. Have Been Operating Ten Years. No Doubt They Have an Organization and Careful Methods of Robbing — Many Mine Owners Suffer.

Finally, the method of the robbery was elucidated. As a result, nearly the whole staff, about 150 persons, mainly miners, lost their jobs, and a new crew was hired. The theft case was solved with the aid of Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Charles A. Siringo, a detective working for the agency, was involved in uncovering the methods of the thieves, as it is mentioned in his memories.Siringo, Charles A.: A Cowboy Detective: A true story of twenty-two years with a world-famous detective agency, Chicago : W. B. Chonkey Co., 1912; published in several other reprinted editions.

A newspaper report from Sunday Herald (June 23, 1895)Sunday Herald (Syracuse, NY), June 23, 1895, p. 6: ROBBING A MINE. Systematic Fleecing of Ore of the Richest Gold Properties. gives a detailed account on the robbery and some further information on the company: ROBBING A MINE. Systematic Fleecing of Ore of the Richest Gold Properties. The Golden Fleece Mining company is one of the best paying gold producing properties in Colorado and it has no wonder that a great sensation followed the recent discovery that there had been a series of systematic robberies by which about half of the output has been stolen. The extent of the robbery may be at least partially realised when it is stated that the output last month was $35,000. During the four years that the mine has been worked it has been one of the best paying, investments ever uncovered in Colorado. With a capital stock of $600,000 the promoters have within a few years all become wealthy men. Four years ago a party of Denver men, among whom S. S. Kennedy now living in Highlands was a leading spirit, began to work the mine which was then for the first time known to contain large deposits of gold. When a company was formed two years ago this month to further develop the property it was not anticipated that the output would reach anything like the figure that are now shown. In the past two years the yield has averaged more than $20,000 a month and many months it has run as high as $40,000. It was no wonder that the fact that one-half of this large output has been systematically stolen should have created consternation among those interested in similar enterprises. Extraordinary Precaution. The opinion was generally expressed that this is only one instance of where similar practices have been consummated in mining camps. For many years old miners claim, that professional thieves have been working the mines when discovered that have produced big outputs. This gang, it is asserted, have toured the West, and no great mine has escaped the robbery that has followed. To such an extent has this been carried that in many of the larger mines the plan has finally been adopted of closing all except one entrance and requiring that persons going in and coming out shall make a complete change of clothing. In most new mines, however, this rule is not observed. The most sensational feature of the discovery is that the fact is borne home, that miners of Colorado must have lost in the last ten years millions of dollars by reason of the systematic scheme carried out in all its arranged details by a baud of professionals. As one of the officers of the Golden Fleece said yesterday, the work was not that of the miners themselves. As a rule, they are honest, and are content to receive the regular wages. Some bold thieves have, however, planned robberies on a gigantic scale, and it would appear have generally carried their schemes to a successful issue. Defensive Organisations. There is some talk of forming an organization of mining men for the purpose of running to earth and punishing the rascals who have plundered the rich mines of the State and pilfered their product from the rightful owners. There is no clue as to who the leaders of the gang of marauders are, but it is thought that with a perfect combination and the expenditure of enough money the perpetrators of this stupendous schema of robbery can he found. The specimens of rich tellurium ore exhibited in the company's office suggest the ease with which the stealing of enormous sums can be done. A small chunk of ore in the glass case not over two inches square is worth $65, while the large piece at the window which was shown at the World's Fair is worth more than $800. In May 1893, the Golden Fleece Mining Company was organised with a capital stock of $600,000. It has since not only paid its dividends, amounting to about 25 per cent per annum, but has besides expended large sums in developing and improving the property. The output is principally gold. About two mouths ago the officers of the company received a tip that the company was being systematically robbed, and the investigation was then begun which now results in the finding that for many months the corporation has lost over one-half of its ores, stolen under the vary eye of the managers. Vice President’s Statement.