The de Soto Placer Mining Co. 1903 antique stock certificate – Alaska gold

Description

Up for consideration is The de Soto Placer Mining Company stock certificate from 1903:
#850
Issued to Albert Boecker for 100 shares on March 26, 1903
Signed by John J. Habecker as president and H. S. McCartney as treasurer
Incorporated in West Virginia
Printer: Wm F. Murphy’s Sons Co. Phila.
Uncancelled
Certificate in good condition
Company founded by Alexander De Soto (1840-1936) who was a Spanish American physician, philanthropist and businessman.
At the zenith of his business career, De Soto was involved in mining businesses in Chile, Peru, Spain, North America, South America, Africa and Mexico.
He founded the De Soto Placer Mining Co. which conducted more mining activity than any other in Snohmish County, Washington and was the first to introduce dredge mining to Alaska.
In 1901, De Soto secured 1,200 acres along the Sultan River with J. J. Habecker.
The placer mining operation near the Sultan River was considered the largest mining enterprise at the time.
De Soto prospected Alaska and purchased 2,120 acres of land opposite Council City.
By 1903 the company owned about 4,000 acres and had invested in electric dredgers, steam shovels and 10 river barges.
At the time, the dredger and steam placer shovel were considered the largest in the world.