Western Folk Lore. Frank Harris gained notability as an icon of the American Wild West as a prospector of gold, who roamed on foot for months at time with his supplies tied to the back of a mule following behind. Called "Shorty" since he measured 5'4" tall, he was orphaned at the age of seven. In the late 1870s he left New England headed west by jumping rides in railroad boxcars. He was hoping to find gold in the west, first stopping in Arizona and Colorado before settling in Death Valley. In the summer of 1904 he and his partner Ernest "Ed" Cross accidentally discovered gold. It was the strike of the century! Harris decided to celebrate the occasion heading to the nearest saloon. Six days later after becoming sober, he learned that he had lost, while gambling in a game of cards, his interest in the gold mine for a mere $1,000. Meanwhile, his former partner Cross formed the Original Bullfrog Mine with the winner of the card game, then sold his interest for $125,000, and moved to California with his wife. Harris was known for his Wild West tales, thus often making himself a hero. After finding several partners to finance him or give him a "grubstake," he continued to prospect for gold, and within a couple years, he found another strike. This time, Harris did not bet his interest in the strike in a card game, hence receiving 50,000 shares of stock and $10,000 in cash. Before he died, he requested to be buried next to his friend, Jim Dayton, in Death Valley. He shares his grave and marker with Dayton. His marker states his birth as 1856 in error.
Western Folk Lore. Frank Harris gained notability as an icon of the American Wild West as a prospector of gold, who roamed on foot for months at time with his supplies tied to the back of a mule following behind. Called "Shorty" since he measured 5'4" tall, he was orphaned at the age of seven. In the late 1870s he left New England headed west by jumping rides in railroad boxcars. He was hoping to find gold in the west, first stopping in Arizona and Colorado before settling in Death Valley. In the summer of 1904 he and his partner Ernest "Ed" Cross accidentally discovered gold. It was the strike of the century! Harris decided to celebrate the occasion heading to the nearest saloon. Six days later after becoming sober, he learned that he had lost, while gambling in a game of cards, his interest in the gold mine for a mere $1,000. Meanwhile, his former partner Cross formed the Original Bullfrog Mine with the winner of the card game, then sold his interest for $125,000, and moved to California with his wife. Harris was known for his Wild West tales, thus often making himself a hero. After finding several partners to finance him or give him a "grubstake," he continued to prospect for gold, and within a couple years, he found another strike. This time, Harris did not bet his interest in the strike in a card game, hence receiving 50,000 shares of stock and $10,000 in cash. Before he died, he requested to be buried next to his friend, Jim Dayton, in Death Valley. He shares his grave and marker with Dayton. His marker states his birth as 1856 in error.
Bio by: Alan Lopez
Inscription
“Here lies Shorty Harris, a single blanket Jackass Prospector”
Beloved Gold Hunter
To these trailmakers whose courage matches the dangers of the land, this bit of earth is dedicated forever.
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See more Harris memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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