Little Notoriety: John R. Lucas

                               John R. Lucas cropped from group photo in Tex Crawley Collection

Researching history I see many names written about that were important to the mining industry, but have never read anything speaking about John R. Lucas. Yet in the papers donated by the Antonioli family to Montana Historical Society Archives are 2.5 linear feet of documents having the perfect penmanship and signature of John R. Lucas on them. He was Superintendent for a number of years, in the St. Louis Mining Companies of Philipsburg. 

 An extensive grocery list for the Montana Grocery Company in Philipsburg on April 28, 1916 not only is neatly typed but also has the pencil written prices of the products as the order was being filled by the store. Examples are: 25 pounds of dried apples for $1.22; 100 pounds of onions $3.50; 50 pounds of corn meal $1.65 2-24#. (This must indicate that instead of 50 pounds the order was filled with two 24 pound containers); 5 cartons of matches for $1.00; 120 pounds of bacon for $22.00. All the available grocery lists demonstrate the food provided to the miners was hearty, nourishing and plentiful. They also indicate John supervised every facet of the business and finances. 

Lucas being astute in all the mechanisms of the mining business and the political world is apparent through out the documents preserved at The Historical Society. He kept Paul Fusz informed almost daily of the election results and squabbles over contested elections, such as when the shift bosses were accused of coercing the miners while voting. This issue was not debated at length in the Lucas documents but was a hot issue in the newspaper. James McGowan of Hall filed a contest with the District Court on December 6, 1904 when he lost the vote by seven votes to James Schoonover. The complaint stated the 200 Bi-metallic employees had been coerced, threatened and intimidated. Staff had told them that they would lose their jobs if they voted Republican or for George Metcalf. “Taking testimony before Justice is waived on account of repeated efforts of defense to block proceedings--the promised investigation causes much uneasiness in certain quarter”, was the headline over a full column article in the December 30, 1904 Mail. 

 Apparently Judge Connolly the county counsel and Judge Durfee who was Schoonover’s counsel were both unable to be present on December 27 for the scheduled hearing. Under the law, cases had to be certified by the Secretary of State before the Legislature convened. The papers in the case were forwarded to Helena. Mr. McGowan insisted he had an abundance of evidence to prove every one of the charges alleged in the complaint. Obviously the surprise was on McGowan, as Schoonover was seated and no follow-up article was printed in the January news. The Mining Company and Lucas were very concerned that the local and State legislators be Democrats and included letters of recommendation for appointed positions such as Game Warden. 

John was born April 15, 1866 at St. Louis, Missouri and came to Montana in 1892 to accept the assistant superintendent position with the Hope Mining Company.. In 1897 John married Madge Short. She died after giving birth to their son John J. in 1898. In 1903, John accepted am assistant supervisor position at the Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated Mining Company. Ultimately, John had charge of the American Gem Sapphire Mines on West Fork, the Basin Gulch Placer Mines, the Hope properties and other company interests, according to the Mail April 20, 1917, because when Paul Fusz died in 1910 all the responsibilities including the Combination Mining Company became John’s concern. 

John was seriously injured on September 23, 1914, when his horses ran away, and left him suffering from head, shoulder and back injuries. Documents show his resignation as Director of Henderson Mining Company, February 15, 1915. Then on November 24, 1916 was a copy of telegram to John P. Meyers in St. Louis stating: “Due to the serious illness of Mr. Lucas he is not able to sign any checks….request authority for Mr. Holmes or myself to sign checks to pay the bills.” 

John traveled to Long Beach, California for treatment in a sanitarium there. His health did not allow him to return to his position and he died at Long Beach, California on April 14, 1917. John’s body was returned to Montana and escorted by the Missoula Lodge of Elks on the train to Philipsburg. They were met at the depot by the Philipsburg Elks and escorted to the Philipsburg Masonic Hall where the Philipsburg and Missoula B.P.O.E. performed a burial service. Requiem High Mass was on Monday at the Catholic Church with internment at the Philipsburg Cemetery. Survivors were: son, John J., working at The Anaconda Copper Mining Company.