The following article is excerpted from the “Story of the Chief Consolidated Operations in Tintic” in the August 16, 1916 issue of The Eureka Reporter.

Has Record for Rapid Rock Work

It is generally understood that Walter Fitch, Jr. has discovered some methods that the miners of the old school may not have known about, or did not work to their fullest development.  At any rate, he has the record for rapid shaft sinking and also for rapid drifting.

Serving Their Country

The other son Howard has gone to the war as has Mr. Fitch’s son-in-law, Fred J Johnson (sic).  But of the achievements of his children creditable as all have been, Mr. Fitch undoubtedly looks upon those of his daughter Maud as the very greatest.  Miss Maud has been in France for some time and was at the front at Compeigne in June, and was in the thick of it, and with the other members of the ambulance unit was decorated with the Croix de Guerre and the Bronze Star.  Unquestionably, this pleased the Fitch family more than their possession of the Chief Consolidated.  In a recent talk with Mr. Fitch he told us he would cheerfully have given all he has or ever hopes to win to have the Huns properly finished and set where they belong.  The Fitches are naturally aggressive born with a real fighting spirit, independent and fearless in their ideas of the things that constitute justice and right, outspoken always in denunciation of those things they believe to be wrong and unjust.

It was appreciation of duty that decided them to reside at the mine instead of in the city, to be on the job night and day, that the enterprise might have the benefit of the closest attention, and win if it were a physical possibility.  Mr. Fitch, in his talk with us, kindly gave all credit for the operation of the property to his sons, fine boys that they are, but we have known Walter Fitch, Sr. a long time, and we are familiar with his characteristics and his devotion to any cause he espouses.  We used to find him underground at the Champion mine, Marquette range, where he so long had charge as manager and at times when he, if he followed the usual practice of managers, ought to be sitting in his office giving directions.  But he preferred to be down where the work was going on, this in times when changes underground were being made, and these were frequent in the Champion.  We recall the attention he gave a spiral shaft, the first in this district, that was so shaped to overcome peculiar conditions of the vein.  An excellent miner, he also found time to take a prominent part in the conduct of the affairs of the county, as well as in furthering the interests of his political party.  He was always in the harness, always working, with the best in view, and ever in closest touch with the enterprise with which he was associated.  Evidently, his children have followed in his footsteps, and as general manager of Chief Consolidated, we are certain that he is still directing energetically and wisely.