History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 53

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

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east, it promises to become one of the most prominent mining camps and business points in the State.

SMELTERS.

There are two well constructed smelters at Ko- komo, the Kokomo or White Quail Smelter, re- cently purchased by the White Quail Company, and the Greer Smelter, owned by the Greer Bros. The White Quail Smelter was run suc- cessfully during the spring and summer of 1880, and during the spring of the present year, until the condition of the roads cut off the supply of ore. The Greer Smelter has been unable to get ore for the same reason. The roads have now been repaired, new ones built where necessary, and a large force of teams employed in hauling ore from the mines on Elk Mountain. At this writing both smelters are preparing to " blow in " with an abundance of ore in their bins, and enough already mined to insure a supply for many months.

ELK MOUNTAIN.

Directly north of Kokomo, between Kokomo and Searle's Gulches, is situated Elk Mountain, on which some of the richest strikes since the discovery of the Leadville bonanzas have re- cently been made. The mines, which have thus far principally contributed to its fame, are the White Quail, Aftermath, and Milo Groups, all of which are producing mines of great value. In addition to these well-known mines, there are a dozen others in which ore has been struck so recently that the owners have not had time to prepare for shipment. The ore bodies uncovered are, however, of sufficient ex- tent and value to warrant the prophecy that the mineral deposits of Elk Mountain will soon become known as among the richest and most extensive yet discovered.

THE WHITE QUAIL.

The discovery of the White Quail was the first strike of importance made on Elk Mount- ain, and one of the earliest in the district. It is situated high above timber line, the discov- ery shaft being near the crest of the hill. The location was made on the 1st of January, 1879, and ore, heavy in galena, was found nearly at the grass-roots. An open cut was run, from which considerable ore was mined, and the vein was then tapped further down the hill. A tunnel was also run into the hill, cut-

ting the vein at a distance of 226 feet. Con- siderable drifting was also done, exposing a large body of ore from which extensive ship- ments were made, the ore being high in lead and much sought for by smelters. In the fall of 1880, a new incline was begun, which was driven steadily through the winter to a depth of 312 feet, when a fine body of sand carbon- ates and galena was cut. This strike adds largely to the value of the property, which comprises several claims, and was purchased during the winter by B. K. Jamison and other Philadelphia capitalists. The purchase in- cluded the smelter formerly known as the Pitts- burg or Kokomo Smelter, and the combination thus formed is one of the most valuable in the district.

THE AFTERMATH.

The Aftermath Group is comprised of the Aftermath and Climax Mining Claims, and is one of the most valuable properties known out- side of Leadville. It is developed by a main incline, from which a large amount of drifting has been done, exposing an immense body of ore running well in both silver and gold, and sufficiently high in lead to make it a fine smelt- ing ore. The product of the mine during the past winter, while worked for development alone, was about fifteen hundred tons. A strike of sulphuret ore running several ounces in gold has recently been made in the lower levels, and promises to add largely to the present im- mense value of the mine. Until recently the mine has been worked with a whim, but an ex- tensive plant of machinery has now been placed on the incline, and preparations made for a large output. Messrs. Bissell, Patrick, Bridge and others are the owners.

THE MILO GROUP.

Adjoining the Aftermath is the Milo Group, consisting of the Milo, Greenville and Elk Mountain claims. Ore was struck in this property in January, of the present year, and a large amount of ore was shipped during the winter. Considerable excitement was caused during the winter by the exhibition of speci- mens of native silver from this mine, and it promises to become one of the largest producers on Elk Mountain. The ore is galena and car- bonates, and is in great demand among smelt- ers on account of its high percentage of lead and fine smelting qualities. The owners are

Q. L. sentiry

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Messrs. Dennis Sullivan, Charles Hall and others.

THE BADGER.

Adjoining the Milo Group is the Badger, in the incline of which, at a depth of over two hundred feet, a fine body of ore was encoun- tered. Owing to water and difficulties among the owners, this property has not been devel- oped since the strike, but a track is now being laid in the incline, and it will shortly be equipped with the necessary machinery for thorough development. It is owned by J. S. D. Manville, O'Brien and others.

Below the Badger a number of rich strikes have recently been made in the Eagle and Ra- ven, Colonel Sellers, Laura, and other claims owned by Edward Lowe, Robert Emmett and others. The ore is similar to that of the After- math, Milo and White Quail, and, so far as developed, promises to be abundant. The same character of ore has been found in the Winkle- man, farther down the hill toward Kokomo. West of the Badger, ore is found in the Savilla and other prospects, and on the Searle's Gulch slope, north of the White Quail, a fine contact has been found on which are located the Little Fay, Blue Bird and other claims which are al- ready in ore and give every indication of de- veloping into mines of great value. Present developments tend to show that Elk Mountain contains one of the most extensive mineral de- posits ever discovered, and nowhere has an equal development been attended with such uniform success.

THE GILPIN.

Mineral was struck at the grass roots on the Gilpin lode, sixteen years ago, by John Moore. It was relocated three years ago by Moore and McNaner, and afterward bought- by George Daly. It is now the property of the Gilpin Consolidated Mining Company. Several shafts have been sunk in the property to determine the extent of the ore body, and mineral has been found at nearly every point prospected. The property is mainly worked through a large incline from which, though but a comparatively shallow depth has been reached, considerable ore has been mined and shipped. It is con- sidered the most valuable property on the hill.

JACK MOUNTAIN.

Northeast of Kokomo, and separated from Elk Mountain by Searle's Gulch, is Jack Mount-

ain, which bids fair in time to rival Sheep and Elk Mountains in the richness and extent of its mineral treasures. No very extensive development has yet been done on this mount- ain, although ore has been shipped from the Mayflower, Texas Star and others. Work on the Mayflower is now confined to the tunnel, now over five hundred feet in length, which is being run to cut two veins first developed by shafts and inclines. The Texas Star is owned by the Greer Brothers, and the ore is shipped to their smelter. Among the other mines which have developed considerable bodies of ore and will ship more or less the present summer are the Queen of the West, Bledso, Enterprise, Ida L., Rising Sun and Hazelton Group.

TUCKER MOUNTAIN.

Tucker Mountain is essentially a continuation of Jack Mountain, being separated from it only by a slight depression. Still less work has been done here than on Jack, but the showing for the amount of work is equal to anything in the district. The best known property on the mountain is the Iron Work, which is remark- able for an immense blowout of iron. The mineral is as yet low grade.

COPPER MOUNTAIN.

Beyond Jack and Tucker Mountains, and on the same side of Ten Mile Creek, is Copper Mountain, on which considerable work has been done with satisfactory results. In the "93" and Washington, a fine vein of galena and sul- phurets has been followed for over two hundred feet by a tunnel, and considerable ore has been extracted. Until the road now building is com- pleted, however, shipment will be limited, as the ore must be packed on jacks.

Just east of this group is located the Recon- struction, a property that shows a large vein of iron and galena ore. It is developed by two tunnels, and has yielded satisfactory returns at the smelter. Preparations are now being made to operate the property on a large scale. Occasional shipments will be made, but the work for the present will be chiefly in the way of development. The owners are Groff, Cotton, Thompson and others. A number of other properties in this neighborhood give promise of future value, and with the development of the present season will bring Copper Mountain prominently before the mining public.

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MAYFLOWER HILL.

On the opposite side of Ten Mile Creek from Jack Mountain is Mayflower, formerly known as Humbug Hill. The discovery of very rich float on this hill caused not only a change of name but of reputation, and during the summer of 1880, numerous efforts were made to discover the source of the float. Some promising devel- opments have been made, and the present . season will witness a large amount of work on this hill.

GOLD HILL.

Above Mayflower Hill, and separated from it by Mayflower Gulch, is Gold Hill, the princi- pal mines on which are the Gilpin and Silver Blossom, near the head of Mayflower Gulch, and the Kokomo Giant and Grandview proper- ties on the Ten Mile slope.

FLETCHER MOUNTAIN.

East and back of Gold Hill rises Fletcher Mountain, in which a number of rich fissure veins have been discovered. Among those located high upon the mountain, at the head of Mayflower Gulch, are the Alpine, Golden Cord, Ætna, Lady Alice, Eureka and Mountain Lion. Small shipments of very rich ore are made from these mines, and the assays often

run way up in the thousands in silver and gold, but owing to their being difficult of access, work on them is confined to the summer season, and development progresses slowly.

THE GRANDVIEW CONSOLIDATED.

The property of the Grandview Consolidated comprises the Hook Hyman, Grandview aud Pickwick lodes. Developments show the exist- ence of mineral in all these claims, and consid- erable ore is now on the dumps. The owners expect to make regular shipments during the present season.

Among the other valuable claims on Gold Hill are the Kokomo Giant, which has a fine vein of galena ; the Worcester, Pauline, Silence, .Pioneer, Little Carbonate, Hampton, Golden Eagle, Ontario, and a number of others, which show mineral in sufficient quantities to invite further development.

THE SILVER BLOSSOM.

The Silver Blossom adjoins the Gilpin, and presents similar indications of possessing a large body of ore, mineral being found in every shaft, though the development at present is in- considerable, and chiefly for the purpose of defining the course of the vein.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HON. BENJAMIN H. BUTCHER.

Mr. Butcher, of the law firm of Hill & Butcher, of Kokomo, was born in Parkersburg, W. Va., Nov. 23, 1855. After attending public school until sixteen years of age, he entered the State Normal School at Fairmount, W. Va., from which he graduated in 1874. He subse- quently spent one year at Marietta College, at Marietta, Ohio. From there he went to Wash- ington, D. C., and entered the Law Department of the Columbian University, from which he graduated in 1877, and in June of that year was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of that district. He subsequently returned to Parkersburg, and began practice. In October, 1878, he was elected a member of the State Legislature for a term of two years. In May, 1880, he came to Colorado, and located in Ko- komo, where he has since practiced his profes- sion.

JOSEPH T. BAUGHER.

This gentleman was born in Tiffin, Ohio, January 1, 1844. His education was completed in the high schools of his native city. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, First United States Chasseurs. and the following February was transferred to the navy, and served until March 4, 1864, when he was honorably mus- tered out of the service. He then returned home, and served an apprenticeship at the tin- ner's trade. In 1868, he came to Denver, and worked at his trade until 1873. The succeed- ing five years he spent in traveling over Cali- fornia, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming Territory and British Columbia, working at his trade. In 1878, he returned to Colorado, located at Leadville, and followed his trade until the spring of 1881. Then came to Kokomo, and engaged in the tinware business under the firm name of Baugher & Co. Mr. Baugher was married, in 1879, to Miss Mary J. Barlow, of Leadville.

WALTER M. BICKFORD.

This gentleman, a member of the law firm of Bickford & Harris, was born in Newberry,

Me., February 25, 1852. After completing his primary education in the public schools, he en- tered the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield, from which he graduated in 1870. He then went to Butler County, Penn., and began read- ing law under Col. George H. Bemus, and was admitted to the bar in 1878, and began practice in that county. In September, 1880, he came to Colorado, located in Robinson, Summit County, where he has since. been actively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. December 1, 1880, he was elected City Attorney of Robinson, and reelected in April, 1881. Mr. Bickford was married, in 1878, to Miss Emma S. Woodford, of Jamestown, N. Y., and has one daughter.

HENRY BURNS.

Mr. Burns, a well-known merchant in Robin- son, was born in New York City April 1, 1845. He attended school until thirteen years of age, then spent six months at sea, after which he clerked in an attorney's office until 1861. On the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry for the three months' service ; then reenlisted in the Second Fire Zouaves and served two years, and subsequently entered the navy, where he remained until the close of the war, when he was honorably mustered out of the service. After spending two years in Georgia, he reënlisted in the navy, and held the position of ship's writer and clerk for the Acting Pay- master until March, 1871. He then returned to Georgia, and engaged in the tea, coffee and spice business at Savannah. In 1875, he was sent to Denver by James Conner, of Pittsburgh, Penn., to erect a spice-mill-that being the first spice mill built in the State-which he ran five months. He subsequently clerked in Denver three years, and, in the fall of 1878, went to Leadville, where he continued that occupation a short time in the employ of George B. Robinson. The following year he

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was engaged in mining at Leadville and in the Ten Mile District. In January, 1881, he came to Robinson, and opened a general mercantile store. Mr. Burns was married, April 30, 1872, to Miss Margaret E. Harrison, of Savannah, Ga., and has a family of five children-three sons and two daughters.

JACOB BERGERMAN.

This gentleman, a member of the grocery firm of Ralph & Bergerman, of Robinson, was born in New York City July 8, 1855. He at- tended public school until thirteen years of age. In the spring of 1868, he came with his parents to Colorado, and located in Pueblo. In 1874, he began an apprenticeship at the printer's trade, at which he served three years. He subsequently spent some time in the south- western part of the State, and clerked in Ouray sixteen months. In January 1879, he came to Kokomo, and was engaged in the mercantile business eight months. He then removed his store to Robinson, and in August, 1880, formed a partnership with Frank Ralph, and has since been engaged in a general mercantile business.

CASSIUS M. COE.

Cassius M. Coe, editor of the Summit County Times, at Kokomo, and one of the proprietors, also, of the Robinson Tribune, was born in Ohio in 1855. At a very early age his parents moved to the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, and here on a farm he was reared. Tiring of this pursuit and longing for a more intellectual calling, he, in 1872, entered Simpson Centenary College, at Indianola, and remained three years. In 1875, he finished, the remaining two years at the University of Iowa, at Iowa City. Mean- time he had done considerable newspaper work, and in the winter of 1878-79, attracted by the silver excitement in Colorado, left for that State. Here he was employed on the leading dailies of Denver for several months. Wishing to become more permanently identified with the country, he left for the famous Ten Mile Mining District late in the year, and, with a part- ner, established the Summit County Times, the first paper ever printed in the county. He has always been identified with any movement which would lend progress to his section, and manifests a supreme pride in the rich mines of Ten Mile, the development of which he has noted from the ordinary prospect to bonanzas.

The Times endeavors, as much as possible, to advance everything of public interest, and be a reflex of the best public opinion.

THOMAS EWING.

The subject of this sketch was born in Lan- caster, Ohio, November, 1837. After completing his education in the high schools of his native city, in 1857, he was one of a party who crossed the plains and journeyed through the wild mountainous regions, and across the range into California, and located in Marysville, where he was engaged in the mercantile business two years. He was subsequently engaged in that pursuit in Humboldt, Nev., three years, and in Oregon and Idaho Territories four years.

In 1862, while in the mercantile business in Nevada, he began investing in and devoting considerable attention to mining enterprises. Since 1867, he has devoted his entire atten- tion to mining and the study of mineral belts throughout the Far West, extending his researches through California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. In 1869, he went to Arizona, where he was engaged in mining three years ; then returned East and spent eighteen months traveling over the East- ern States. In 1874, he again went to Arizona, and continued mining operations and the study of the various mineral belts of that Territory three years. In 1877, he went to California, where he became a large stockholder and Su- perintendeut and General Manager of the Mur- chie Gold and Silver Mining Company, at Ne- vada City, where he remained two years. In De- cember, 1879, he came to Colorado, and after spending some time in examining the mines and in the study of the mineral deposit in the vicinity of Leadville, he traveled over the south western part of the State examining mines. He subse- quently went to Utah, and examined and made an extended report on the Horn Silver Mine. In October, 1880, he returned to Colorado and be- gan negotiating for the Robinson Mine in Ten Mile District, and had the papers drawn up ready for signing a few days prior to the death of George B. Robinson, the owner. On Feb- rnary 21, 1881, he and Mr. Wilson Wadding- ham purchased the interest of the Robinson heirs, amounting to three-fourths of the Robin- son Consolidated Mining Company, which was incorporated March 13, 1880, with a capital stock of $10,000,000, with 200,000 shares at

THE GREER SMELTING WORKS, KOKOMO, COLO.

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$50 each ; President, Bayton Ives, of New York City ; Vice President, L. B. Kendall, of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Secretary, J. K. Selleck, 18 Wall Street, N. Y., of which he is General Manager. This property is one of the best paying mines in the State, and is well equipped, having four large roasting furnaces, a two-stack smelter and all the necessary buildings and machinery for economical working. The out- put is about one hundred tons of ore per day, with an average value of $100 per ton. The mine is well opened up and developed, and has from 25,000 to 30,000 tons of min- eral in sight. Previous to the purchase of the mine by the present company, it paid two dividends amounting to $175,000, and on the 1st of June a monthly dividend of $50,000 was declared. Since March 10, the present man- agement has remitted to the home office in New York, in cash, $100,000 ; in bullion, $150,000 ; bullion and ore in smelters and roasters, $40,- 000 ; 1,100 tons of ore at Argo, unsettled for, $75,000. Total cash resources, profit of less than seventy days' actual working, $350,000. In addition to this amount, a debt of $35,000 was paid and the working expenses of the mine, the cost of enlarging the tunnel and purchase of new machinery, which aggregated $75,000 more. With such a product the officers of the Com- pany can safely promise the stockholders suc- cessive monthly dividends. The workmanlike appearance about the mine, and the advantage- ons manner in which everything is done speak volumes for Manager Thomas Ewing, as an able Superintendent and a practical mining engineer. The above financial report corroborates the well-earned reputation of Mr. Ewing as one of the ablest and best mine managers in the coun- try, and warrants the retention of public con- fidence in his integrity, and honest and econom- ical management.

CHARLES W. ELLIS.

This gentleman, a successful miner, who came to Ten Mile District in the fall of 1878, and by energy and perseverance has become one of her wealthy and honored citizens, was born in Waldo, Waldo Co., Me., December 23, 1858. His education was completed in the High School of his native city. In 1876, he came to Colorado, and followed mining and prospecting at Rosita, Custer County, eighteen months. In October, 1878, he located in Ten

Mile District and began prospecting. In No- vember following, he was one of the discoverers of the Aftermath Mine, on Elk Mountain. In March, 1881, in company with Ed Lowe, he bought the Colonel Sellers group, consisting of five claims on Elk Mountain, all in pay, with good improvements, and producing, at present, about twenty-five tons of mineral per day, the ore body improving as depth is attained.

DE ROBERT EMMETT.

The above named gentleman, one of the first to locate on Ten Mile Creek, who is largely connected with the mining interests of this district, occupies a place among the real and substantial representatives of Colorado's chief industry, and since coming to this State has devoted his attention chiefly to mining opera- tions. With an experience dating back over a period of fourteen years, his success and place in mining circles have been attained deservedly and worthily. Mr. Emmett is of French and Irish descent and was born in Gloucestershire, England, May 26. 1838. He attended private schools until twenty-one years of age; then spent eighteen months on a pleasure trip on the northern coast of Africa and subsequently returned to London. In November, 1861, he determined to come to America and sailed for New Orleans, where he shortly afterward en- listed in the Confederate army and served until the close of the rebellion. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., and accepted the position and took charge of one of the departments in the wholesale and retail dry goods house of Barr, Duncan & Co., where he remained until the fall of 1867 ; then crossed the plains and spent the following winter traveling over Colorado and New Mexico. In the spring of 1868, he located in Central City, Gilpin Co., and engaged in placer mining in Russell Gulch until fall, and lead mining during the winter. The fol- lowing year he spent in prospecting in the San Juan country, which then embraced the whole of Southwestern Colorado. In January, 1870, he returned to Central City, and engaged in prospecting and mining. In the spring of 1871, he came to Summit County and began pros- pecting, principally for placer mines ; continu- ing until the spring of 1875, when he deter- mined that Clinton Gulch, on Ten Mile Creek, which he had discovered in 1869 on his way to San Juan, was the richest "placer diggings"

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he could find, he located here and became ac- quainted with Ed Lowe, who has since been his companion and partner in mining operations. They staked off about three hundred acres, just below the present site of Kokomo, since known as the Emmett & Lowe placer claims, and dur- ing the succeeding three years, were engaged in prospecting them. In 1878, he and Mr. Lowe located the Elk Monntain ledge, on Elk Mountain, and the White Quail group of mines on that ledge. In August of that year, they located the Sunset, Pleasant View and Carbon- ate Vault claims on Sheep Monntain, which they sold to George B. Robinson and Capt. J. W. Jacque, and are now known as the Smuggler, Checkmate and Pilot, of the Robinson Consoli- dation. During that year he also discovered the Idalia Mine on Sheep Mountain. The fol- lowing winter he and Mr. Lowe made the first shipment of gold ore from Ten Mile District, consisting of three tons taken from the Golden Eagle and Golden Belle Mines at the head of Mayflower Gulch, by pack train to Black Hawk, Gilpin County. During 1879, he again de- voted some attention to the placer mines, and in company with Ed Lowe discovered the Black Warrior, Lucky and other mines on Clinton Gulch. In January, 1880, he, in company with Dr. Neely, of Leavenworth, Kan., bought the Eagle and Raven claims on Elk Mountain, which he, as superintendent, has since been de- veloping. He has run over 1,000 feet of tnn- nels and inclines, and at present has the mines in a shape that they are capable of producing thirty tons of ore per day without stoping. This season he is again devoting a large amount of attention to working the Emmett & Lowe placer mines, of which he is superintendent. He has spent about $10,000 in equipping the mine for extensive operations, having put on a No. 2 Giant, 1,000 feet of pipe, 600 feet of flume, and over a mile of ditch to supply water, which gives him hydraulic pressure of 125 feet, besides numerous other improvements.

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 53

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