Thomas Cruse
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives
May be copied for non-profit purposes.

Thomas Cruse, president and founder of the Thomas Cruse Savings 
Bank at Helena, and one of Montana'sbest citizens, is a native of 
the Emerald Isle. He was born in County Cavan in 1836, a son of 
Irish parents. In the private schools of his native country he 
received his education, and in 1856 at the age 
of twenty, he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. 
He remained in that city until 1863 when he directed his course 
toward California, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of 
Panama and in due time landing at San Francisco. Until the summer 
of 1866 his time was divided between California, Nevada 
and Idaho.

In 1866 Mr. Cruse came to Montana and at first was engaged in 
prospecting at Virginia City. The following year he came to Helena 
but soon afterward went to Trinity and engaged in placer mining and 
prospecting for quartz mines. For some years he was thus occupied. 
In April 1876 he discovered the famous Drum Lummon mine and 
continuedits development, taking out the considerable gold, the 
mine being a success from the start. In 1882 he sold it for a 
million and a half dollars, retaining one-sixth interest in it. 
Since then it has been further developed and is to-day one of 
Montana's famous and best-paying mines. Mr. Cruse has all these 
years continued his mining enterprises and owns several valuable 
properties, among which may be mentioned the Old Blue Cloud,
which Mr. Cruse thinks will equal or surpass the Drum Lummon, and 
also owns the North Star, which is an extension of the Drum Lummon 
mine.Besides his mining operations, Mr. Cruse has also of recent 
years turned his attention to other enterprises.
 
In 1887 he established his own bank,, the Thomas Cruse Savings 
Bank of Helena, the first savings bank organized in Montana. From 
its beginning it proved a success and is now one of the most 
prosperous financial institutions of its kind in Montana. Mr. 
Cruse is also the owner of one of the largest sheep and cattle 
ranches in the state.

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