Tragedy in some dreadfule
form stalks often at the elbow of those searchers for extraordinary
richness, old prospectors say. No exception to this rule, the story
of Henry Comstock is a sordid one indeed: Although credited by popular
belief with being the discoverer of the Comstock Lode, he was not
in fact.
Two Irish Prospectors--Peter O'Riley and Pat McLaughlin--took up
placer mining, or panning, for gold not far from a place where Comstock
was watching over a property to keep out claim-jumpers. Getting
little by placer mining, the Irishmen dug a trench and soon discoverd
a rich gold vein. Through fast-talking, and most say lying, Comstock
laid claim to a major portion of the strike.
Some time later, McLaughlin sold his interest for $3,500, and then
drank himself to death. O'Riley hung on until he secured $40,000,
but spent it all in stock speculation and died in an insane asylum.
Early on, Comstock sold his holding for $1,000, and after spending
most of this in riotous living, started north to Idaho where he
prospected, later drifting into Montana, where he died by his own
hand.
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