Charles Rasp, the original discoverer, had the good sense to retain a considerable interest in the syndicate, and thus became a wealthy man. Rasp, who was born in Germany on October 7, 1846, was not a simple, illiterate station hand when he pegged the original lease in September 1883. Few details of his early life were disclosed by Rasp (the name by which he was known upon his arrival in Australia around 1869-70) but he was a person of above average education, fluent in French and English, as well as his native German tongue. Prior to migrating to Australia he had been employed by a large chemical manufacturing firm at Hamburg. For several years he worked on pastoral properties in Victoria, before moving up the River Darling, until he obtained employment as a boundary rider at Mount Gipps sheep station.

By the end of 1885 Rasp's shareholding in the Proprietary mine was worth £20,000, and an inspection of his account in the ledgers of the Silverton branch of the Bank of Australasia shows the dramatic increase in his fortunes.

On July 22, 1886, he married Agnes Klevesahl, a pretty German girl employed at Gustav Kindermann's coffee shop in Rundle Street, Adelaide. Rasp and his wife lived for a short time at Silverton, then sailed for an extended European tour. Upon their return to Australia in 1887, Rasp purchased a large dwelling at Medindie, a northern suburb of Adelaide; the mansion was named Willyama, the title of the property being vested in the name of his wife.

Charles Rasp normally was a man of quiet disposition, but joined with his wife in a life of overseas travel, and social entertainment. He continued his interest in mining and became a director of the Princess Royal Mining Company, the West Collie Coalfield Company, and the Kalgoorlie Bank of England Company.

On May 22, 1907, Charles Rasp suffered a coronary occlusion and died at his home in Adelaide at the age of 61 years. The value of his estate was sworn not to exceed £48,000 but much of his wealth apparently was held in the name of his wife as, upon her death 29 years later, her estate was valued at £120,000. After observing the customary period of mourning, Agnes Rasp lived a bizarre life traveling abroad, seeking admission into German high society. She married Count von Zedtwitz in 1914, just prior to the outbreak of World War 1.

They remained in Berlin until the end of the war, and the Count died shortly afterwards. Being an enemy alien because of her marriage to the Count, the widow's assets in Australia had been confiscated by the Australian Government. She returned to Adelaide in 1921 and, by special Act of Parliament sponsored by the Hon. W.M. Hughes, regained most of her possessions. Charles Rasp's widow, who bore him no children, died in Adelaide on May 26, 1936, at the age of 79 years.