By this time the mine ore was reaching its end. The Hercules started laying off miners. August 24, 1925, was the official closing. The corporation still had other properties and mines that continued to bring in money. They had a hardware company and an explosives operation, both of which did well when World War II broke out in Europe. After the war, all companies consolidated to Day Mines Inc., with 719 claims in Idaho and 73 in the Republic district of Washington, covering 14,710 acres.
Henry Lawrence Day, Harry's son, would ultimately take over the family business. He retired in 1972. Harry retired and began writing anecdotes on western history, which are now maintained at the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. He died on November 19, 1942 and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.
Not only did the mine and its various holdings make its owners rich and develop the Idaho panhandle region, but it affected other parts of the Northwest. One owner, Frank Rothrock moved to Washington State and started a large cattle and sheep ranch. August Paulsen built several office buildings in downtown Spokane, as well as a luxurious home. Al and May Hutton moved to Spokane and invested in real estate and bought many other businesses. Harry's sister Blanche and her husband opened the Portland (Oregon) Hotel, and operated it for many years.
(Source: The Days of the Hercules, John Fahey, University Press of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 1978)
