St. Eugene Mine

ANOTHER ST. EUGENE STORY – Phoenix Pioneer:

C.G. Rykert told us the other day the story of the purchase of the St. Eugene mine.

About six years ago a party of which Mr. Rykert was one, traveled over the Goat river trail from East Kootenay.  At Moyie lake they camped and turned their horses into hay meadow.  Father Coccolo of the St. Eugene Mission, accompanied by an Indian, visited the camp and invited the campers to look at a mineral prospect about a mile from the lake.  Thither repaired in company with the priest and Indian, Mr. Rykert and James Cronin.

They found a showing of galena not distinguishable to Mr. Rykert’s eyes from showings of which he had seen many in the Hot Springs camp.  Mr. Cronin, however, was a miner and evinced greater interest.

The priest said that the Indian had made the discovery, that he had staked and recorded it and named it for the patron saint of his Mission.  His hope was to obtain from it the cost of a church which he proposed to erect, viz. $7000.

The party continued their journey and Mr. Cronin having interested John A. Finch and another Spokane gentleman, returned and paid the good father $7000 for the St. Eugene.

Mr. Finch and his partner sold their two-thirds interest to Messrs. Gooderham & Blackstock for $666,000.  Mr. Cronin has $10,000 a year as manager and retains his one-third interest in a mine worth now perhaps $3,000,000.