History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 40

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

USA > Colorado > History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado > Part 40

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THE DENVER CITY.

The greatest strike made in Leadville for the past year, not only for the amount and value of the ore exposed, but for what is of far greater importance to the welfare of Lead- ville, by opening up an immense new district, is that made in the Denver City in the latter part of 1880. By saying a new district, it is not meant a remote one, or one that has not been heretofore explored to a considerable extent; but it is well known that from the east end of Fryer Hill for a long distance to the east, or in fact up to Breece Hill, there has been but little product received until recently. In the Scooper and Chieftain, some paying ore was found a year ago, and both now again are showing wonderfully well, but it is unmistak- ably the fact that a feeling of distrust for a long time existed regarding the value of East Fryer Hill or the west slope of Yankee Hill. An entire change, however, has come. First, the great strike in the Surprise claim of the Hibernia Consolidation, then followed by the marvelous developments in the Denver City, and shortly succeeded by the discoveries in the Scooper, have changed the feeling, and there is now every probability of this section proving the richest and most extensive about Leadville.

To the perseverance and energy displayed by the Denver City Consolidation is this suc- cess mostly due. This company was organized about a year ago, principally through the efforts of Mr. J. Whittaker Wright, of Phil- adelphia, who was assisted in obtaining the

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

control of the property by Mr. W. G. Shedd, and the two have since been connected with the company, the former as President, and the latter as Manager and Financial Agent.

Mr. Wright carefully examined the forma- tion of Fryer Hill, and, after studying the dip of the ore vein and the formation, he became convinced that the ore wave extending over Fryer Hill from the Chrysolite to the Robert E. Lee was not confined to those boundaries.

The territory of the company comprises the Denver City, Shamus O'Brien and Quadrilat- eral claims. They are contiguous, and are lo- cated just southeast from the Robert E. Lee, Hibernia and Silver properties.

At once, when the company was organized, extensive plans for development were adopted.

There are four shafts on the property, and all have been worked. The Denver City shaft was enlarged, all the old timbering being taken out, the excavation enlarged and thor- oughly secured by new timbering. When the shaft had reached a depth of 260 feet, and a large amount of iron been passed through, the management determined to experiment with a drill. This was done principally because the quantity of water was so great as to inter- fere with the sinking of the shaft. The drill soon proved ore to exist below of wonderful richness, and the work of sinking was again resumed.

About four hundred feet further to the north, also on the Denver City location, the com- pany has sunk to a depth of 200 feet, the larg- est shaft about Leadville. It is five by four- teen feet in the clear, and heavily timbered with square timbers. There is little question but this shaft will also soon encounter the large ore body.

To the southeast, and on the Shamus O'Brien claim, is another shaft, 310 feet deep. This has cut a contact, and a large body of iron. Work was suspended on this when the rich ore in the Denver City shaft was struck, as the pump was more needed there.

Still to the east, the company has sunk a fine shaft on the Quadrilateral claim, belong- ing to the consolidation. This shaft is 245 feet deep, and has not yet reached contact. The vein, pitching to the east as it does, makes it probable that a depth of more than

a hundred feet further will be required at this portion of the mine to reach the ore body.

SCOOPER.

The Scooper Mine belongs to the Iowa Gulch Mining Company, and the recent great strike of rich ore in it has added much to the prospects of Yankee Hill, and is of great im- portance to Leadville. In the fall of 1879, there was a seam of rich chloride ore found in the mine that created a sensation for a time, but it is since proved that the main deposit had not at that time been found. The prop- erty was, however, sold at high figures in Philadelphia, to a company that seemed to believe the purchase of a mining property was all that was required, and dividends should at once flow from it. The result was that the property was neglected and no effort at devel- opment was made.

In September, 1880, the company was per- suaded that a rich body of ore lay below the bottom of the shaft, and work was again com- menced. In two weeks after the resumption of operations, a fine vein of chlorides was un- covered, and since that time the mine has been a regular producer.

CHIEFTAIN.

The Chieftain has considerable development done upon it, including an incline 250 feet in length and several cross-cuts. The mine has produced a large amount of ore, but mostly of low grade.

DUFFIE.

The Duffie joins the Scooper on the east, and extends down the Big Evans Gulch. It has a shaft fifty feet deep and an incline of over a hundred, following contact.

SAPPHO.

The Sappho has a shaft over two hundred feet in depth. There is a good shaft-house and engine on the surface. . Several streaks of iron and mineral have been cut, but the ore vein is not yet reached.

HIGHLAND CHIEF.

A mine always prominent, and which has been particularly so for the past few months, is the Highland Chief. In its early history, it

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

attracted great attention from the vast bodies of ore found in it, and also from the fact that it is located in a section that, up to that time, had not been productive. The mine was ac- tively worked for a time, a tunnel being run in to connect with the workings from a shaft sunk on the hill, and a large amount of ore was mined. Partly from the reason that the water became difficult to control, the mining . was nearly abandoned for a time, although prospecting work was kept up continuously. In the latter part of summer, however, the company again commenced to work vigor- ously. The shaft on the hill was fixed up and lined. Over this a large, fine shaft-house was put up, and a twenty-five-horse power en- gine and forty-horse boiler were placed. The tunnel was also straightened, and in places enlarged, and a fair force of miners put at work. The production of ore, after all was completed, was raised to about fifty tons per day, and often reached seventy-five. The production has been kept up to a large amount ever since, and the mine is among the largely producing ones.

ANDY JOHNSON.

The Andy Johnson has a large amount of low grade mineral, and has shipped some ore. The property has not been worked for some months past.

LOWLAND CHIEF.

The Lowland Chief is a consolidation of several claims adjoining the Highland Chief. Last summer, good buildings and machinery were put up on the property, and the shafts were sunk to mineral. The grade of ore, however, where first found, was of low grade, and work was soon after abandoned. Ar- rangements are negotiating now to again start up work.

LITTLE JOHNNIE.

This property has been well known for a long time past, and has produced some rich ore heretofore, but developments recently prosecuted under the direction of Mr. D. Bau- man, the Superintendent, has shown up a vast amount of ore, and proves the property among those that can be depended upon for a steady and large supply of ore. Descending the shaft a depth of 115 feet, a shaft on contact,

and with a seam of ore, is found extending south. The vein pitching to the south and east induced the owners to change the level to an incline, which extends about a hundred feet, pitching at an angle of some thirty de- grees. A small amount of drifting had also been done when Manager Bauman took charge. This was about four months ago. He at once made a thorough examination of the mine, and decided the main ore wave ex- tended further to the west. With this in view, he has run three drifts or cross-cuts from the incline to the west, and all have cut a solid body of ore. The vein is from five to ten feet thick, and in places even wider. It consists of sand carbonates, galena and car- bonate of copper. It is beyond doubt the most extensive copper mine ever found in Colorado. A solid mass of copper ore twelve feet in thickness has been developed for con- siderable distance, that returns from 40 to 50 per cent in copper. It also carries a small amount of silver, and is therefore of great value. The well-defined streak of sand car- bonates, from one to three feet in thickness, carries from 40 to 50 per cent in lead and up- ward of thirty ounces of silver. Specimen mill tests have shown over two hundred ounces of silver to the ton, but the general average is high enough to place the mine among the largely productive ones.

GREAT HOPE.

In South Evans, on the north slope of Breece Hill, is the Great Hope, that has been worked all the season, and has yielded a large amount of gold ore and quartz.

COLORADO PRINCE.

The Colorado Prince, on Breece Hill, is destined, under proper management, to be- come one of the great mines of the camp. It has developed a fine body of gold ore, and has an excellent stamp mill and good machinery. When the right man takes hold of the prop- erty, it will come to the front as a producer.

MINER BOY.

The Miner Boy, after being shut down sev- eral months, was again opened in the spring of 1881, and very soon afterward a handsome

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

body of ore was developed, and the mine took its place as a regular producer, shipping about forty tons a day.

THE CLEVELAND.

On this mine is a shaft 106 feet deep, and · in a good body of iron and galena, on which drifts are being run. The owners are Capt. Paddock, Senator Harris, Prof. Hazleton and William Risdon.

LITTLE ELLA.

The Little Ella, on South Evans Gulch, has a wonderful amount of ore developed in it. There is a long tunnel, about four hundred feet in length, run nearly its entire length in ore. The ore is not very high grade in silver, but runs well in lead, and contains enough silver to make it profitable. The mine has produced a large amount of ore, and is ship- ping about ten tons a day.

THE VIRGINIUS.

Returning down the gulch and crossing to the north side of the Little Ella Hill, the Vir- ginius and Winnie consolidation is found working. This property is worked through a tunnel extending into the hill over a hundred feet, where it cuts the vein, and drifts are be- ing run on the mineral.

THE KATY.

Just above the Virginius is the Katy, also being worked. It has a shaft 125 feet deep, with three drifts, amounting to nearly two hundred feet. Quite a large amount of ore, composed of iron mixed with galena, is out on the dump. The property is owned by a New York company, and Mr. E. B. Ketchum is the agent.

THE ALPS.

The most extensively developed property on the north side of Bald Mountain is the Alps. It is far above timber line, and has produced some very good quality of ore.

THE MINT.

On Big Evans Gulch is the Mint lode, be- longing to Andrews & Bullock, and others. On the property is a shaft, and incline, and some very good contact matter is on the dump.

THE WOODBURY.

The Woodbury lode is owned by R. W. Woodbury, of Denver, L. A. Kent, and others. On the claim is a shaft eighty-five feet deep, and a tunnel 125 feet in extent. A large amount of contact matter, composed of por- phyry mixed with mineral, has been taken out.

THE ASHLEY.

The Ashley claim is next above the Wood- bury, and is owned by the same parties, with the addition of Mr. E. M. Ashley, of the Sur- veyor General's office in Denver. On the claim is an eighty-foot shaft, also in mineral stained with porphyry. The float-rock found on both these properties, as well, in fact, on the entire side hill, has every favorable indi- cation.

THE COLUMBIA.

The strike made in the Columbia last sum- mer caused much sensation, and some excel- lent ore was mined therefrom. The property was located in August, 1877, by Joseph Doyle. Since then, it was several times transferred, and finally became the property of John Mc- Conville and Michael Fuir, who expended considerable in its development. As about to reap a reward for their hard exertions, both died within a short time, and their heirs will likely derive the benefit from their toil. On the Columbia is a tunnel 250 feet in length, extending south from California Gulch. At 100 feet from the mouth, mineral was first found. At 130 feet, a drift was run east for thirty feet to connect with the workings from a shaft, so as to furnish ventilation for the mine. The ore is pitching down to the south, so the level of the tunnel was found too high to follow the vein. At 200 feet from the mouth of the tunnel, a drift runs west and a winze has been sunk. Beyond this, the ore wave again appears to take a raise again, for, at 230 feet, ore is again found in the tunnel level. A drift here extends east, and the best ore body in the mine is found, which is again pitching to the south. The death of the two owners caused the shutting down of the mine when it was looking exceedingly promising, and it is therefore impossible yet to tell how important may be the strike. Considerable ore was shipped to the smelters from the mine in

THE GRANT SMELTING WORKS, LEADVILLE COLORADO.

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

the short time it was worked after the dis- covery of ore.

THE LA PLATA MINES.

The group of mines belonging to the La Plata Mining and Smelting Company on Cali- fornia Gulch is proving of wonderful impor- tance. The ore is not of exceeding high grade, but the quantity is such that an im- mense output can be produced. The ore is high grade in lead, which makes it valuable for smelting, and the grade in silver is fast improving.

The mining property of the La Plata Com- pany consists of four claims, but a small por- tion of the territory of which has yet been developed. As the farther the property is worked into the hill, the better becomes the quality of the ore, and the more extensive the ore bodies; the extent of ore existing in the mines seems almost incalculable.

The ore shipments average about twenty-five tons per day, but can soon be largely increased. The ore is high grade in lead, running all the way from 20 to 60 per cent. Probably a fair average of regular product is 35 per cent. The silver runs from twelve to forty ounces, and averages about twenty ounces. The ore just as it comes from the mine is worth net about $25 per ton on an average. The grade of ore is also improving, so it can be readily seen that, from the wonderful bulk of ore de- veloped, and from the fact that its uniform returns give such good results, that in the mines of this company is a bonanza that will last for years, and be among the permanent mines to support Leadville.

THE PRINTER BOY.

The early history of this important mine is well known to most dwellers of Lake County to-day. With its meager development and primitive workings, nearly half a million dol- lars were produced. J. Marshall Paul made a fortune from its vaults. Charles L. Hill, a well-known mining superintendent of the pres- ent day, who has managed the Dunkin Mine of Fryer Hill, and the White Quail Mine of Ten Mile, was the Superintendent in the most prosperous days. The late Mayor of Lead- ville, Hon. W. H. James, controlled the mine

and the mill, still standing at Oro City, for a time.

It has been stated above that the work was primitive, and so one will be convinced who visits the mine. Every few feet is a shaft, constructed in a most unsafe manner, and the mine has never been opened systematically. In 1868, Mr. Paul, who then owned the entire lode, sold the north half of the property, and it has since been known as the Upper and Lower Printer Boy.

For a number of years, the properties were nearly or quite abandoned, and only recently has there again been evinced a renewed life on the hill. The Upper Printer Boy has been sold to some Eastern parties.

The Lower Printer Boy produced largely after its transfer from Mr. Paul. This por- tion of the claim is 300x1,000 feet in size, and has been secured by United States patent. It extends from near the ridge of Printer Boy Hill down and across California Gulch. Among the owners who purchased from Mr. Paul, and who successfully worked it, were Mr. Joseph H. Wells, the present County Clerk of Lake County; S. D. Breece, afterward locator of the well known Breece Iron Mine, and others. By these parties a new shaft was sunk and two drifts run. Over $100,000 were mined from the property under their owner- ship. Afterward, another shaft was started lower down the hill, and here two crevices or ore veins were found. From one spot here, $4,500 in gold nuggets were panned out from a single pan of dirt. It is stated that in the workings of both of these shafts, ore still exists. Work was afterward abandoned from the fact that a large amount of water accumu- lated in the mine and the air became foul in the drifts. Mr. Wells and other old settlers, however, are firm in the belief that vast amounts of gold still exist and can be easily mined from this portion of the claim by properly prosecuting work and adding the proper ap- pliances. Nuggets have been taken from the mine of large size, many exceeding five ounces, and one of twenty-eight ounces.

It is estimated that even in the surface workings so far prosecuted, not one-fifth of the ground has been worked, while the vein --- being a fissure-extends down to an unknown

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

depth, and what may be below is mere con- jecture.

The lower or north end of the Printer Boy Mine is again being actively worked. A short time ago, a new shaft was started by the par- ties now in possession of the property. This shaft is located about midway between the two locations from which were taken such large amounts, and is about two hundred feet from the south end of the claim.

THE FLORENCE.

Climbing over the ridge of Printer Boy Hill, the Florence is found just on the south- ern slope, and nearly opposite the Belcher, which is on Long & Derry Hill, across Iowa Gulch. The property is worked by a tunnel. The mine has been constantly producing and shipping ore for the past year.

COMSTOCK AND BLACK TAIL.

Descending Printer Boy Hill, the Comstock and Black Tail are found, about half way down the hill. On the Black Tail there is a shaft twenty-one feet deep and a drift of twenty feet. There is a good vein of ore at 120 feet in the tunnel, and on this a drift is being run.

THE WILSON.

Directly east from the Comstock is the Wilson lode. The development consists of a tunnel 115 feet in length, with fifty feet of side drifts. Half way in the tunnel is also a shaft twenty feet deep. A good vein of min- eral has been cut at about eighty feet in the tunnel, and some fifteen tons of fine mineral has been taken out. There is also a shaft sixty feet deep near the center of the claim, which has reached mineral.

THE BELCHER.

On the Long and Derry Hill, the Belcher is developed by a tunnel of about 200 feet in length. It has produced and shipped a large amount of ore, but the property has not been worked any for a long time.

THE BRIAN BORU.

A little higher on Printer Boy Hill is the Brian Boru, one of the most productive prop- erties on the hill. It is developed by a shaft

sixty-five feet deep and 150 feet of drifts. A large amount of ore has been taken out and shipped, and it has been of very good grade. There is a large body of ore.

CONTINENTAL.

Just above the Comstock is the Continental. On this claim is a shaft thirty feet deep, with an incline of sixty feet into the hill. The incline follows a good body of mineral of low grade.

FIRST NATIONAL.

The strike of mineral on the First National, located some three-fourths of a mile farther up the gulch, which was made some time ago, created considerable excitement for a time. There is a large ore body, some of it of very good grade.

LONG AND DERRY.

The Long and Derry is one of the first mines discovered in this section, and it was being worked before Fryer or Carbonate Hills were known. The property has been exten- sively developed by a large number of shafts and drifts, and a great deal of ore has been shipped from it to the smelters. It is owned by two old prospectors who are satisfied with the property, and, although large amounts have been offered them for it, they choose to retain control themselves.

THE WAX LODE.

On the south slope of Long and Derry Hill, toward Empire Gulch, and near the Long and Derry Mine, is the Wax lode. The claim is developed by several shafts and a tunnel, showing a well-defined vein and some paying mineral.

PARK GROUP.

At the upper end of Adlaide Park is the Park group. There is a shaft 100 feet deep, and an incline on contact running to the east for 160 feet. The mine has not yet produced any paying ore, but has a defined contact and a good showing.

BREECE IRON.

The Breece Iron Mine contains no silver of any account, but has an immense body of iron ore valuable as a flux in smelting and that obtain a ready sale at from $6 to $8 per ton.

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

The mine yields a large profit. A deep shaft is being sunk and is now 275 feet deep. It is thought a carbonate deposit will be found at greater depth.

LITTLE PRINCE.

One of the best showing on Breece Hill, outside of some shipping mines, is the Little Prince. This property was actively worked for some time, and some fine pockets of ore were found. The ground appears to be an immense mass of contact material, but no reg- ular vein. The shaft is 280 feet deep, with drifts to the amount of several hundred feet. There is a good shaft-house and steam hoister on the property.

GALESBURG.

The Galesburg is just north from the Little Prince. It has been extensively developed, has produced some good paying ore and has a great deal of ore in sight in the drifts. It is on the Evans slope of Breece Hill, and a short distance this side of the Highland Chief.

TRIBUNE.

Near the top of the hill, and just at the edge sloping toward California Gulch, is the Tribune, owned by Chaffee, Moffat and others. There is a shaft upon it 400 feet deep, and several seams of contact matter have been cut that have been drifted upon. No pay ore has yet been found.

THE CAPITOL.

At the upper end of Breece Hill is the Cap- itol, in which a good vein of quartz-bearing gold was found at the depth of 130 feet. No extensive development was prosecuted on the property after that time, and, although a good showing was made, no profitable results were ever obtained from it.

HUNTER'S LAST CHANCE.

A short distance above the Highland Chief, a strike was made a few months ago in the Hunter's Last Chance lode. A good vein of

galena was found at the depth of 140 feet. Negotiations are pending for the sale of the property, and, therefore, no work is being done upon it.

GREEN MOUNTAIN.

On the south slope of Bald Mountain, above Breece Hill, is located the Green Mountain, that has created much excitement from the rich gold strike made in it a few months ago. The ore from it shows fine specimens of free gold, and considerable has been crushed late- ly in the stamp-mill at Oro, with good results.

The preceding list of mines does not include all the locations made. In fact, it embraces not more than one-third of the claims upon which more or less work has been done, the majority of which are now undergoing devel- opment. The rule laid down has been to mention only such mines as have developed bodies of paying mineral, or, having reached the contact between the lime and porphyry, have reasonable prospects of reaching a body of mineral. This has left out a large number of properties of great promise, which, perhaps, before this work sees the light, will have be- come bonanzas. It is, however, one of the misfortunes of a work of this kind, that the writer cannot dip into the secrets of the future, and a line must be drawn somewhere. It will be gratifying, however, to know that others have been admitted to this honorable company, even if such admission would seem to throw a doubt upon the accuracy of the work.

Up to the present writing, there have been nearly twelve hundred applications for patents filed in the local land office, the vast majority of which are for the California land district. In the majority of instances the chances of these locations developing into paying mines are exceedingly good. Besides these, there are thousands of prospect holes, held simply by assessment work. The development of a very small proportion of these holes, into even ordinary mines, will make Leadville, for many years to come, a veritable treasure house.

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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIX.

MISCELLANEOUS.

TT has, of course, been impossible, for rea- sons already cited, to give a detailed state- ment of everything in and about Leadville worthy of mention, and in all probability many things exceptionally worthy have en- tirely escaped notice. Among the principal items of importance may be cited, first,

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 40

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080