“Coin” Harvey

One of the area’s most fascinating characters was William Hope “Coin” Harvey. Born in 1851 near Buffalo, West Virginia, he was a teacher and lawyer in his early years. In 1884 he moved his family west to Colorado and Utah, working as a silver mine operator, a real estate developer, and a promoter.

By the 1890s Harvey was a firm proponent of “free silver,” believing that its coinage would help end the nation’s economic depression. He moved to Chicago and founded a publishing company, issuing tracts promoting “free silver” and the candidates who supported it. In 1896 he played a major role in William Jennings Bryan’s “free silver” presidential campaign.


 “Coin” Harvey, circa 1920.
(Neg.#N004935)
In 1900 Harvey moved to Rogers and began the resort of Monte Ne. He organized the Ozark Trails Association in 1913 to promote better roads and adequately mark them. By 1920 he was increasingly pessimistic, convinced of the imminent fall of civilization. He planned to build a “pyramid” at Monte Ne to act as a time capsule and warning for future generations; however he was never able to complete it. In 1932 Harvey ran for President of the United States on his Liberty Party ticket, receiving over 53,000 votes, mostly from western states. “Coin” Harvey died in 1936 and was buried at Monte Ne.  (To see Harvey's death mask, click here.) and (To see Harvey family letters, click here.)