USA > Nevada > Eureka County > Eureka and its resources; a complete history of Eureka County, Nevada, containing the United States mining laws, the mining laws of the district, bullion product and other statistics for 1878, and a list of county officers > Part 3
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
CHAPTER IV.
Our Mines-Eureka Consolidated-Richmond-K. K .- Phoenix and Jackson.
Among the mining localities in this State that have made a specially good record during the year, the Eureka District stands out with marked prominence, the Eureka Consolidated and the Richmond, the two leading mines, having each made a large and profitable bullion production; and what is of still more consequence, these mines, in which exploration has been kept well advanced, have such large ore reserves developed in their lower levels as insures a condition of bonanza for some years to come. The prospects of many other of the earlier locations in the district have also greatly improved during the past year; and as the work of exploitation is likely to be continued with its usual vigor, we may reasonably look for a largely increased out-put of ore here the incoming season It is a noteworthy fact that some new and very promising claims have recently been located in close proximity to the old standard mines of the district, some of which, under the slight developments already made, exhibit gratifying signs of mineral wealth.
While there is some difference of opinion as to the exact character of the main lode here, all are agreed that the ore deposits are of a permanent kind. Believing this to be the case, a number of companies, composed mostly of residents of the district, have been formed for the purpose of running tun- nels to open up the various mines along this belt to a depth of 2,000 feet. These companies are known as the Prospect Mountain, Eureka, Charter, Lemon, and Charter No. 2. When the Prospect Mountain and Charter tunnels shall have reached 3,000 feet in length, they will have tapped the moun- tain from 1,500 to 2,000 feet in depth. The Eureka and
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
Lemon tunnels penetrate the mountain from its eastern slope, and will tap the ledge long before the third of that distance will have been reached. The Eureka tunnel is already advanced some seven hundred feet, Prospect Mountain nine hundred, Charter six hundred, Lemon six hundred and fifty, and Char- ter No. 2 upwards of three hundred feet.
Nearly every prominent citizen in the district is a stock- holder in some one of these enterprises. Among the other. companies owning locations on the belt are the following: Bullwhacker, Silver West, Williamsburg, Holly, General Lee, Alabama, Horace Toney, Wide West, Lone Pine, Morning Star, Macon City, Northwestern Consolidated, Silver Lick, Wales Consolidated, Price & Davis, Albion, Richmond Con- solidated, Eureka Consolidated, K. K. Consolidated, Phoenix, Jackson, Jefferson, the several Eagle locations, Connelly, Hamburg, Hoosac, and several others whose names do not now occur to us. The Bullwhacker, previous to litigation, produced 13,000 tons of $80 ore. The bonanza discovered in Macon City, Lone Pine, and Morning Star locations, yielded over $900,000; and the one discovered in the Wild West and adjoining mines yielded upwards of a million. The Silver Lick, previous to litigation, produced a large quantity of ore, yielding several hundred thousand dollars. Although many others in the district have done wonderfully well, the Rich- mond and Eureka Consolidated have of course been the largest and best paying properties, having disbursed many millions in dividends. The Eureka Consolidated has paid its forty-third dividend, the Richmond having done nearly as · well, and without ever having levied an assessment. Not- withstanding this large production, it is generally thought that these mines have yet to see their best days, all the other more promising properties in the district having as yet hardly entered upon the great success that probably awaits them in the near future.
Commencing with the Eureka Consolidated mines at Ruby
A BURR SC
RICHMOND FURNACES. From a Photograph by Louis Monaco.
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
Hill, we give a short resume of its status, it being, at the present time, one of the representative mines of the county; and from the extent and value of its ore bodies, one of the most valuable properties in the State. Under the intelligent management of Superintendent Donnelly, a miner and busi- ness man of great experience and ripe judgment, vast deposits of high grade ore have been developed within the past year. The reserves in the various levels are of an extent hitherto unknown in the history of the mine, although in the past it has yielded an immense quantity of ore. One of the most encouraging features is the fact that these rich bodies have been found at the lowest depth penetrated on the lode, having been reached at a distance of one thousand feet below the surface, and its proportions in that direction are as yet only a matter of conjecture. This proves that the mineral deposits in the district are not, as formerly argued, mere surface bodies, liable to give out as explorations were carried on, but rather that the great belt on Ruby hill and its contents are permanent, and will be found in greater proportions as fur- ther depth is attained. The present yield of the mine aver- ages about two hundred and fifty tons per day, the out-put being limited by the reduction capacity of the smelting works, four of which are in full blast, and give out about forty-five tons of bullion every twenty-four hours, valued at twelve thousand dollars, the product aggregating three hundred and sixty thousand dollars monthly. The amount of ore in sight promises that this estimate will be kept up for the ensuing twelve months, even if no future developments are made. The works of the company are of the most substantial char- acter, and will compare favorably with any other works in the State. The bullion product of this mine for the year ending June. 1878, reached the sum of $2,974,199.
The adjoining property is owned by an English corpora- tion, R. Rickard, manager, and is styled the Richmond Min- ing Company of Nevada. Up to the time of litigation, this
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
property turned out a steady stream of bullion, unrivaled in the history of base metal mines. Superintendent Rick- ard,a gentleman of splendid qualifications and ability, has for past years directed the affairs of the mines and reduction works. Five furnaces have been kept in uninterrupted operation, with the exception of the time necessary for repairs, and the delay caused by the destruction of their works by fire, involving a loss of $80,000, and English cap- ital has found in this property one of the most profitable investments ever made in the United States. The famous Potts Chamber yielded without cessation an immense num- ber of tons of high grade ore, all of which has been reduced and refined at the company's works. The establishment of a refinery at this point by the managers has given a large force of men employment, and demonstrated the fact that there was no necessity to ship our base bullion thousands of miles before the precious metals could be separated from the lead, that process being carried on as scientifically and cheaply at the company's works as at any foreign refin- ery. The exhaustion of great chambers has been followed by new developments in the western portion, and further explorations will, no doubt, open large reserves. The com- pany have on hand, at the present time, six thousand tons of rich ores, and are in a position to extract an unlimited amount, as it is needed. All of the furnaces are in opera- tion at present, and from all accounts they will continue to run for a great length of time.
This mine is distinctly an English corporation, and the profits from it flow to London. Notwithstanding this fact, great benefits accrue to Eureka, as it gives employment to a small army of miners and workmen, and draws its supplies from our local resources.
A series of rich ore bodies were opened out between the fifth and third levels, the extraction of which has kept the company's works under full headway. Within the last
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
thirty days new developments have been made sufficiently extensive to insure another season of prosperity.
It not only opens a labor field for a large number of men, but also creates a market for wood, coal and other incidental supplies.
The bullion product of the Richmond for the year ending June, 1878, amounted to the sum of $2,193,178.
The K. K. Consolidated mines adjoin the Eureka Con- solidated mine on the east, and are ably superintended by Mr. John A. Porter. The different levels have yielded largely during the past year, but, owing to a large inflow of water having been encountered, operations have been sus- pended for the last three months, while preparations are being made to handle it. A large deposit of ore is known to exist between the sixth and seventh levels, which will be extracted as soon as the pumping machinery is placed in or- der. From June 30th, 1877, to June 30th, 1878, the bullion yield of the property was $378,787.71.
The water in these mines, which has for some time re- tarded their development, is now under perfect control, hav- ing been brought so by the heavy and powerful pumping ma- chinery which has lately been placed on the main working shaft. This shaft has now attained the very considerable depth of 900 feet. The K. K. mine, from which the company takes its name, was located by W. S. Keyes, at that time superintendent of the Eureka Consolidated, in the year 1872.
The Phoenix, south east from the K. K. mine, is an old location that has been neglected for a number of years. About six months ago extensive deposits were found within its limits, and it has come into prominence as a mine. The ore bodies met with are of a high grade, and prospecting proves them to be of large proportions. The company, en- couraged by the prospects, have built elaborate and exten- sive hoisting works, and will commence in a few days to
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
open the mine in a systematic and thorough manner. Su- perintendent Arrington is giving his energies to the work, and the location will soon take rank again as a bullion producer.
The Jackson mine is one of the oldest claims in the district, and is certainly one of the most valuable. During the years 1869-70-71, under the old management, that of the original owners, large quantities of ore were extracted. The company having built the third furnace erected in the district, reduced its own ores, and at considerable profit. This property is situated to the south east of the Phoenix, and is an instance of what faith and confidence will do in mining investments. The property was purchased by Messrs. J. and W. H. Shaw some time ago. Since they have had control of it, it has quadrupled in value. A new shaft has been sunk to the depth of four hundred and fifty feet, and explorations and prospecting carried on with vigor. The owners have met with their reward, by finding a splen- did body of ore on the lower level, which is at present being extracted in large quantities. The Ruby Hill R. R. has laid a track to the mine, and ore is being shipped daily to the Metamoras Company's furnace, where it is reduced and the resulting bullion shipped to San Francisco for refine- ment. The Jackson may certainly be called one of our first mines, and has been remarkably prolific in its mineral wealth.
The management of the company is in the hands of Mr. George F. Terry, a gentleman well known in the mining circles of the coast.
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
CHAPTER V.
The Albion, Price & Davis, Wales Consolidated, and Adams Hill Series of Mines.
The Albion mine, consisting of four claims, of 1,500 feet in length by 200 feet in width each, is located next to the Rich- mond mining ground, and joins the latter property on the west.
The Albion was located about one year ago, since which time a large amount of work has been done in developing the same and upon permanent improvements on the surface. Their deepest workings are about 450 feet below the mouth of the shaft. The total length of drifts run on prospecting account amounts to about 1,200 feet, and high grade ore and other encouraging indications have been met with in the mine, and there seems but little risk in saying they must soon cut a body of ore in the limestone formation they are now working in. About twenty-five men find employment at the mine, the monthly expense of same being about $5,000.
The improvements on surface consist of a building over the shaft, a substantial structure, two stories high ; an office and sleeping quarters for the engineer and foreman, a stable, and a large water-tank, the latter holding 10,000 gallons of water, which is obtained from the Ruby Hill Water Com- pany, through a pipe 2,000 feet in length.
The machinery consists of a 35-horse-power boiler, run- ning a double engine, with cylinders 10x12 inches, two large reels, with a steel wire hoisting cable, an air-foreing machine, of Mr. Robinson's invention, capable of supplying sufficient air for 200 men, at a depth limited only by the power of the engine, and estimated at 1,200 feet. The main
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
shaft is a double compartment one, timbered from top to bot- tom. The mine is admirably located for working; with the hoisting-works and buildings situated on the west side of Ruby Hill.
It must be only a question of a very short time when the Albion will be known as one of the leading mines of the dis- trict. The company has pressed the work with great vigor for the past eight months, and will no doubt do the same thing in the future.
The Price & Davis is a mine situated to the north and west of the Albion, and is considered a continuation of that mine. A company was incorporated, and work was vigor- ously pressed for a time ; large and powerful hoisting ma- chinery was purchased in San Francisco and brought to Eureka, but owing to some economical complications aris- ing, it was never taken to the mine, and all work has ceased for the present. The property is looked upon as a good one, and doubtless operations will be commenced again soon.
The Wales Consolidated was located in the summer of 1878, by Mr. Grif J. Griffith, a gentleman of considerable experience in mining matters. Mr. Griffith, by his energy and unlimited confidence in the property, had but little diffi- culty in convincing his friends of the property's merits, and enlisted a good deal of capital in his enterprise. A contract has been given to sink a large double compartment shaft to a depth of 300 feet, and hoisting machinery will be purchased and put in place at an early date. The mine was located as a westerly extension of the Albion, and is situated on the flat at the western foot of Ruby Hill.
With the Wales we conclude the list of " our mines " situ- ated on Ruby Hill, to which we have devoted the last three chapters. We could certainly have devoted much more time to a description of the bonanzas of Ruby Hill ; but, our ob- ject has been to lay before our readers the plain, ungarnished
PLOVARESSTAKLO
HOOSAC FURNACE. From a Photograph by Louis Monaco.
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
facts, of their immense wealth and brilliant prospects for the future-nothing more.
Leaving Ruby Hill, we will now devote our pages to the other localities of the district.
Under the general name of " Adams Hill," are known a series of low foot hills, commencing at the northern boun- dary of Ruby hill, and gradually decreasing in size till they terminate at their northern extremity in Diamond valley. The mineral belt has been traced from Ruby hill to the valley, where it is apparently lost. It is probable that developments may trace it still further to the north. The ores in this section are of a quartzite nature, and though not having been found in as large bodies as on Ruby hill, have assayed much higher, going sometimes as high as $500 to $700 per ton.
Many valuable mines are located upon these hills, among which may be enumerated the Adams Hill Con. Mining Co.'s group of mines, made up of a number of pioneer claims, of which the General Lee, S. P. Dewey, Wide West, Ala- bama, Consul and Webfoot are the most prominent; the traet here secured comprising several acres of mineral land. Of these claims, the General Lee, Wide West, and Alabama are patented. Before these several claims came into the possession of the present company, there was a good deal of work done upon them, the most of it in the process of taking out the surface ores. For several years past, operations have been conducted here with more system, a central shaft having been put down, and ore extraction mostly carried on from it. A great deal of rich ore has in times past been taken from these claims; nor has extraction suffered any curtailment under the new ownership. The company, with a view to keeping down expenses, have adopted the plan of leasing the mines, whereby they insure systematic explora- tion, the work being performed under the direction of their own superintendent, without cost to themselves. Steam
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
hoisting works, adequate to present demands upon them, have been put up here, and not for some time will their capacity have to be increased. The main shaft sunk on the Wide West ground is now down 450 feet, and is believed to be in close proximity to a large ore body. This mine is in excellent hands, and will be worked in a business-like way, and on its merits ; wherefore it would seem to offer a good chance for investment to parties desirous of holding inter- ests in a property so conducted.
The Silver Lick mine, Captain James Adams, superin- tendent, is a good paying property. A large quantity of ore has been taken out during the summer, and the developments insure a brilliant future for the claim.
The Williamsburg mine has lately come into notoriety, and is opening out magnificently. A body of heavy galena ore, estimated to contain ten thousand tons, has been uncov- ered, and its proportions and richness is evidence of the value of the property. This mine is the property of Messrs. McDaniels, Cooper, Titus and Benedict.
The Lone Pine and Macon City mines, J. H. Heynes, superintendent, are both good mines, and by their out-put have proved their value; rich ore abounds in them, and the owners have been well rewarded for their labors.
The Bullwhacker mine, owned by the Ruby Con. Mining Co., is a good property, steadily worked, and giving good returns.
The Northwestern Co.'s group consists of a number of private locations, consolidated under one head and company, the stock of which is principally held by the original locators. Work is being pushed rapidly, and with flattering success.
The Fair View is one of the older locations of the district. Large quantities of ore have been extracted with compara- tively little expense and work; it is considered a valuable
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
property. Once owned by the Buttercup Mining Co., it has now passed into the hands of private parties.
We expect Adams Hill soon to follow her neighbors to the south into the charmed circle of dividend paying locali- ties.
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
CHAPTER VI.
Prospect Mountain and its Mines.
THE second great point of ore production in Eureka district is Prospect mountain. It is a mountain in the strictest inter- pretation of the word, and looms far above its neighbors, Ruby hill, and Mineral or McCoy hill. The great ore zone or belt of the district as'developed at Ruby hill, it is claimed, passes through Prospect mountain on its way to the south. But as the formation of the mountain is greatly broken, it has been impossible to trace it to any great extent. As many mines of value have been developed on both the east and west sides of the mountain, and as the continuation of the zone is claimed in contradiction by the mines on each slope, and as both show strong arguments in favor of their position, it is quite possible that the zone here divides into two parts, one continuing to the southeast, the other to the southwest. We will divide the mines situate on Prospect mountain under two heads, i. e., those on the western slope, and those on the east- ern slope.
MINES ON WESTERN SLOPE OF PROSPECT MOUNTAIN.
First, to the south we find the El Dorado, a mine owned by the Ruby Consolidated Mining Company, and one which, with comparatively trifling developments, has produced a great quantity of high grade ore. Litigations in which the company has been concerned have prevented systematic work; but under lease a great deal of ore has been extracted.
To the west of the El Dorado comes the Ozark, a mine of considerable promise, but little developed so far.
To the south again we encounter the Vulcan, a mine owned by the British Mill and Mining Company. The crop-
×
ATLAS FURNACE. From a Photograph by Louis Monaco.
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
pings here are enormous, but again few developments have been made.
We now reach the Banner, extending still to the south, and find a mine which has been a producer of rich carbonate ores since its first location. A good deal of work has been done here, and the mine is entirely self-supporting. The owners contemplate the erection of large and powerful hoist- ing machinery at an early date. The main shaft is down 360 feet, showing good ore the entire depth. At this point the vein is remarkably well developed.
To the south of the Banner we find the Dead Broke, a name not at all suggestive of the character of the mine. Work of the best possible character is here being done, and a fine body of ore has been exposed.
Now coming back to the Ozark, and following its con- tinuations south, we find the Silver Connor, and Pioneer Consolidated Company's group of mines-mines of rising value, large quantities of ore being extracted daily.
To the south of the above group we find the Williams mine, owned by private individuals, and considered by all who have ever examined it as one of the best mines on Prospect Mountain and of the district. It is entirely self-supporting, and ore is shipped daily to the furnaces of Eureka for reduc- tion.
To the south again comes the Cloud, a mine but little developed, but looking well.
To the west, and below the Williams, are the Matamo- ras Company's group of mines, comprising the Matamoras, General Washington, Washington Guard, and the Clyde mines. These are probably the most important and valuable mines on the mountain. They were sold to a Chicago com- pany for $40,000.
The company commenced work, placed machinery upon the Matamoras mine, bought the furnaces erected by the Butter- cup Company, and by the first run of the furnaces produced
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
enough bullion to entirely reimburse them for their original outlay.
The Kit Carson mine was located May 30, 1875, under the United States mining law.
It is situated upon the western slope of Prospect mountain, and is considered to be a continuation of the Matamoras lode and that of the Matamoras Company's group of mines. Dur- ring the years 1875, 1876 and 1877, a great deal of high grade ore was extracted, assays running from $150 to $500. The vein and its variations being exceedingly tortuous, and having been followed to a depth of over two hundred feet, it became impossible for the owners, who were private individ- uals without means, to work further, owing to the difficulty and expense of hoisting waste material and ore to such a height and through so many changes of angle in the workings. The owners, in the spring of 1878, sold the mine to G. Collier Robbins, who enlisted the assistance of a number of Eastern capitalists, and they, together, incorporated the Kit Carson Gold and Silver Mining Company, under the laws of the State of Nevada. Hoisting machinery was placed at the mine, and an entirely new shaft has been sunk to a distance of two hun- dred and twenty-five feet. From this, drifts and cross-cuts have been made covering a distance of several hundred feet. In a cross-cut running north, a large stalactitic cave was encoun- tered, which upon examination proved to be of great length, extending a distance of one hundred and fifty feet, and pitching north. The walls of the cave (carbonate of lime) being bro- ken through, large masses of ferruginous and galena ores are exposed, assaying from $40 to $300 and $400 per ton.
A great many other mines of lesser importance are located upon the west slope, among them the Silver Brick, Maria, Morgan, Columbus, Columbia, Dalesford, Lizzie L., and Hawkeye.
A tunnel company, organized by a number of Eureka gen- tlemen, called the Prospect Mountain Tunnel, is being driven
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EUREKA AND ITS RESOURCES.
from the base of the mountain. It is now in some nine hun- dred and fifty feet. One blind lead of rich galena has been struck, and the miners on the mountain look fondly forward to greater developments.
MINES ON EASTERN SLOPE OF PROSPECT MOUNTAIN.
Following the great zone of ore as it leaves the Eureka Consolidated, Richmond, and the other mines of Ruby hill, and leading on towards Prospect mountain, we find the Jefferson, Shoo Fly, and the Eagle series of mines, owned by Messrs. McDaniels, Cooper, and Titus. Large bodies of rich ore have been uncovered in these mines during the past few years. They are held under patents from the United States, and are considered very valuable properties. The next mine we find in passing to the south, and seemingly the point of divergence between that portion of the zone which goes to the east and that which goes to the west of Prospect moun- tain, is the Magnet; a considerable body of rich galena was opened to sight during the summer of 1878, and the owners confidently expect equal, if not greater, discoveries in the days to come.
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