Perhaps it was the widespread rumor of gold and silver -- apparently very plentiful near the base of the Mazatzal Wilderness -- which inspired the founding of Lousy Gulch Mine by Ben Cole and his sons. Many miners believed the accounts of finding abundant gold and silver tracings and veins were not rumors but, in fact, the opportunity of a lifetime to become rich if one had ambition, fortitude, persistence and a hardy work ethic, not only to overcome the odds of locating gold but overcoming the odds of enduring hardships at the location of the mine. And the latter is apparently what ended the existence of Lousy Gulch. The legacy of Lousy Gulch generates a conflict as to the meaning of the word “lousy”, leaving one to ponder which version accurately fits the decline of Lousy Gulch.

   During this historical era, miners poured into the Payson vicinity with high hopes. According to Stan Brown, Payson Roundup contributor, (October 21, 2003 issue), David Gowan, a Scottish immigrant, settled in the Tonto Natural Bridge property range. In 1880, he discovered the Gowan Mine, reportedly with a vein of gold ore many feet thick, lending more credibility to the stories of gold and silver, riches beyond imagination.

   By 1881, as many as a hundred people lived in the mining settlement of Marysville, three miles west of Payson. Marysville thrived on the promise of riches. As cited in Images of America Payson, Emer Chilson saw the need of a store for the mining community. He not only established a store in Marysville, he gave the settlement the name Marysville -- “Mary” being the name of his young daughter. As the times of conflict became difficult, the inhabitants left Marysville, leaving behind very little. With the erosion of time, there is now slight evidence of a once bustling mining settlement. If one stops and listens intently, murmurs of the voices of the 1880’s, shouts of exuberance of great riches mingled with cries of despair may be heard whispering in the gentle wind.

   And truly, despair would become one of the legacies of the Lousy Gulch. According to some historical references, the mine on Oxbow Hill produced very little in the way of valuable minerals. Thus, some believe Lousy Gulch was named by Ben Cole and his sons, using the meaning “poor” or “inferior” (in quality and quantity) to the word “lousy.”  

   Yet, as documented in The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 39, July 1935 – April 1936, page 79, William R. Hogan notes in Arizona Place Names, in a book by Will C. Barnes, the author had a different image of the legacy of Lousy Gulch.

As William R. Hogan speaks of the account of Will C Barnes, he says:

 “Humor springs up here and there. Thus, “Lousy Gulch” achieved its significant name because during the Eighties, one Ben Cole and his two sons ‘had a mine here. They worked it during one winter and all became lousy. So, they called it by that name.” The meaning of this account by Will C Barnes is not clear. What was the meaning of “lousy”—did they have lice?

   As I stated earlier, many miners believed the accounts of finding abundant gold and silver tracings and veins were not rumors but, in fact, the opportunity of a lifetime to become rich if one had ambition, fortitude, persistence and a hardy work ethic, not only to overcome the odds of locating gold but enduring the hardships at the location of the mine. And the latter is apparently what ended the existence of Lousy Gulch.  

The conflict of reaching the true meaning for naming the Lousy Gulch perchance lies with Ben Cole and his sons enduring the hardships at the location of the mine. For it has been historically documented, the three gentlemen became so infested with lice at the mine, life became too miserable to stay. According to some documentation, the three men had to pick the lice off every night to try to get a good night’s sleep; thus, giving meaning to “Lousy Gulch.”

   It is my belief the name is a combination of these circumstances. Just imagine, you are out in the middle of nowhere, on a desolate piece of land with rocks, sticks, creatures both great and small which may or may not harm you. You fight the elements of danger; the bitter cold, the poisonous creepy crawlers, traversing in the rough terrain by foot, trying to find even a little trace to sustain your lifetime dream of finding precious minerals…and you find very little to none. This is lousy! The meaning of lousy in the dictionary means “poor” or “inferior”. Yep, pretty sure finding NO gold means being poor and having an inferior mine.

In the 1880’s, there was no iphone should you have an emergency. There was no ipad to occupy your “down” time. There was no television, vehicle, metal detector, cheese burgers, soda or even a comfortable bed. You had no electricity or running water. But you have each other. You strain through the fading light of the mine entrance to see your son, Elmer, who is itching all over. Then, you look at your son, Link, who is itching all over. You feel your skin crawling with little varmints. Yep, just what you thought! This is lousy! Lice all over you! The singular word for “lice” is “louse.” Dang right! This IS LOUSY!

   Frustrated by both circumstances, you feel totally drained of any ambition you ever had of mining. Let’s face it, you feel lousy! Lousy dang mine with lousy lice crawling all over it and not one dang lousy bit of gold for your troubles. Dang right! Thus, the name of “Lousy Gulch Mine” is very appropriate, whatever the reasoning behind the name.

   Just a note here: There is also a conflict as to Ben Cole’s son’s name. Some documents list the son as Link Cole, while other documentation list him as being named Pink Cole. Now, if that poor guy was really named Pink, with lice crawling all over him in a no-count mine in the middle of the harsh climate of Oxbow Hill, who would blame him for feeling lousy?

   Lousy Gulch Mine was deserted by the Coles sometime in the 1880’s for obvious reasons. Even though mining at Lousy Gulch didn’t work out for them, they are truly an example of the strong, determined and courageous people who faced the hardships to explore and mine the rugged terrain of Rim Country.

May all your mining in life be louse free! From our family to yours, blessings and wishing you NON-lousy adventures in Rim Country.