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The Beginnings
Both Samuel Newhouse and Ida Stingley have quite the stories and that is one of the many reasons they play such a part in gold rush history. Samuel was one of nine children born to European immigrant parents in New York. Samuel later went on to go to law school in Pennsylvania. However, he gave up his studies due to his interest in mining. This led Samuel to make his way to Colorado. Ida and her family ended up in Colorado after deciding to move west. Ida’s mother opened a boarding house and Ida worked there as a waitress. Though both Samuel and Ida had very different reasons to move to Colorado, it was as if almost fate would bring them together.
Falling Head over Heels
On December 16th,1882, the Leadville Daily Herald social reporter had seen Samuel and Ida together at a party. Two weeks later on January 1st, 1883, it was reported in the same newspaper that they had been married at Ida’s sister’s home. It was also reported that they headed west that same afternoon on a train. The two getting married would only lead them to play a bigger part in gold rush history in years to come.
The Argo Mill and Tunnel
After getting married, over the next several years, Ida and Samuel kept their whereabouts quiet. Then in 1891, Newhouse bought what would become the Argo Mill and Tunnel. However, due to funding, the tunnel project didn’t start until 1894. During the years between, Samuel and Ida traveled to and from London in order to receive the funding for the project. It was even rumored that Mrs. Ida was a huge help in gaining funding from investors. Without the love story, that is Samuel and Ida, we would most likely not have what we know today as the Argo Mill and Tunnel. Did you know that the tunnel is named after Samuel and is called the Newhouse Tunnel? Thanks to Samuel and Ida we have the incredible piece of gold rush history that is the Argo Mill and Tunnel.
Want to learn more about the Argo Mill and Tunnel? Click here. Want to come to tour a piece of gold rush history? Click here.