THE MARTINA MINE.
"Early in June of the same year, Dewitt C. Dunbar discovered a new lead
in the Martina mine which proved to be of such marvelous size and
richness, that my father's personal inspection was demanded at the
earliest possible moment, to decide on the best methods of pushing
forward the new work, and also to determine what part of the old work
should be continued. The numerous letters and telegrams from Mr. Dunbar,
all urging the utmost haste on my father's part, gave him but little
time to consider the results of such a long journey, or to make the
proper preparations for it. It was evident that Mr. Dunbar must be in a
state of intense excitement. In order to catch the next steamer from San
Francisco, father left a number of important items of business for me to
transact. I wished very much to go with him but all the circumstances
seemed to conspire against me. Father promised to return at the earliest
possible moment, meanwhile he was to send me a dispatch announcing his
safe arrival in Alaska. By the end of July, messages, and later, letters
began to reach me announcing the wonderful output of gold from the new
lead. So rich was the ore that for a time it was thought best to abandon
all work in the old mine. I could see very plainly from his letters that
the fever of Mr. Dunbar's excitement and enthusiasm had also claimed my
father as a victim. I then foresaw that his stay in Alaska would be
prolonged far beyond my expectations or his own. I began to feel very
uneasy and to wish most fervently that I had insisted on going with him.
I resolved in future to keep him company wherever he journeyed.
Meanwhile the yield of gold from the new lead continued to increase. The
value of the Martina rose like magic; offers to purchase at fabulous
prices came pouring in. Mr. Dunbar would not accept, and decided, then
and there, to remain another ten years as manager and resident
superintendent of the mine. That settled the question. After that, my
father announced that the mine was not for sale at any price. In writing
to me concerning the matter, he says:
"'My Dear Fern: * * * I at that time decided that my interest in
the mine which I had named for your mother, and which had proven
the luckiest and richest in Alaska, should pass to you as it came
to me, entirely unencumbered. So rest assured, my daughter, so
long as Dewitt C. Dunbar is able and willing to manage the mine,
both my interests and yours are in safe hands; in skill, honesty
and ability he is one of the grandest men I have ever known; he is
a treasure. You can trust him implicitly!'
"As I had anticipated, it was December before my father could leave
Alaska. In a letter dated Dec. 5, to which I shall again refer, he says:
"'I have planned to leave here on a steamer that sails on the tenth
of this month. I fear the voyage may prove a rough one. I have a
foolish dread of it, which is quite unusual for me. I am oppressed
by an uneasy feeling which I strive in vain to shake off. However,
I have taken good care to make such arrangements with Mr. Dunbar as
will cover all possible contingencies. This is to be my last trip.'
"On the twelfth of December I received a message from Mr. Dunbar,
stating that Fennimore Fenwick had sailed on the tenth as he had
planned; that he was well and strong, and would wire me as soon as he
reached San Francisco. This cheering message gave me new courage, I
began to count the days and to look forward more hopefully. I decided,
although it was so late in the season, to wait here in the cottage until
my father came. When Mrs. Bainbridge left to open our house in
Washington, I had intended to follow her a few days before Christmas,
but for some unexplained reason, I could not make up my mind to leave
the cottage. After the message came the question was settled--I was to
remain here."