Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Depot Argentine, Kansas 1892
Lot Kirtley, Wells Fargo Expressman, far left in back row wearing a white hat. His son Tom, a worker at the depot is the ninth man standing from L-R in the back row wearing a white shirt Seated on the bench from L-R: Edward J Engel, AT&SF Agent, Mr Gunderson, George Horn, J B Smith, unknown and Frank Horn.
Lot Kirtley was one of the Wells Fargo Expressmen who delivered the gold and silver ore to the Argentine Depot by wagon from the American Smelting Company. The photo on the left shows how the ingots or pigs looked after they came out of the smelter. In the photo above, one of Lot's horses can be seen on the left
$40,000 in silver bullion in 1889 This is how the ingots or pigs were shipped from the smelter Notice the Wells Fargo & Company cart
Due to the value of the precious ores, great security was employed at the plant. Armed guards patrolled the gates. Men were searched from head to foot whenever they entered and left the plant. Bricks of gold and silver, however, were usually left unguarded on the docks. These metals were shipped by Wells Fargo wagons to the railroad depot. All gold went to the Federal mints where they were exchanged for their value in money. Silver was stamped with the company’s trademark and sold on the open market. Eventually, most of it also ended up in mints. Lead was sold on the open market although most of it went to New York. Zinc was also sold on the open market.
Source: Kansas City Star May 7th 1889
1900 Census Lot Kirtley Argentine, Wyandotte County, Kansas
