22 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
from Baxter Springs bought the Harper 160 acres for $4000. 
Excitement at once became intense. Parties from Joplin 
reached Mr. Harper the following day and offered him 
$10,000 for the land, and it looked for a time as though liti- 
gation would be necessary to settle the ownership. But upon 
more deliberation Mr. Harper recognized that his contract 
with the first company was binding; so the Bonanza company 
was immediately formed, with the following members: 
Capt. William Blood, H. R. Crowell, Edward Zellekin, Maj. 
C.F. Larabee, P. J. Pfenning, Dr. William Street, and J. M. 
Cooper. Mining operations were immediately started and 
great hopes were entertained for successful developments. 
But water was found in large quantities and expensive ma- 
chinery was necessary for pumpingit; therefore progress was 
very slow. In fact, it was soon considered that the discovery 
was only of minor importance and public interest gradually 
decreased. 
The following spring, on March 21, 1877, Messrs. John 
Shew and John McAllen found a large body of lead ore just 
south of Short creek, on land belonging to a Mr. Nichols. 
The shaft was located just west of the northern extension of 
Main street in Galena, and about midway between the creek 
and the boundary line between Galena and Empire City. 
This place is about a mile and a half west of the Missouri 
state line. Immediately news of the discovery went far and 
wide, like wild-fire. No other discovery of ore in the entire 
Missouri-Kansas area ever attracted nearly so much interest. 
Within a few days town sites were surveyed, mining lots 
were mapped, and a promiscuous population, which soon in- 
creased to many thousands, was upon the grounds. The 
story of the thrilling scenes which followed has been so well 
told by another, that it is here quoted : * 
‘‘About this time the news spread of the discovery of ore 
here, and it is estimated that within thirty days at least 
10,000 people came pouring in from all directions, in all con- 
ceivable kinds of vehicles, some even coming, like the maiden 
lady of old, afoot and alone. Some rude structures called 
18. Stone, Miss Irene G. (daughter of Col. W. B. Stone): Kansas Historical Collections, vol. 
7, pp. 248-260, Topeka. 
