The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-03-01
BEAR
Characteristics of Some of the Notable
Mines of This District.

characteristics of Some of the Notable
Mines of This District.
The general formation of the country
rock in Bear Butte district is limestone,
which appears in nearly every part Of
the district, though in some sections
outcroppings Of dolomite, or magnetism
limestone, granite and porphyry are
found. To say that anybody thorough
" understands the peculiar or singular
mineral formation of the Black Hills
would be telling an untruth. One thing
is certain, and that is that gold, silver,
lead and copper are found in great
abundance, but how it was placed in
the position in which it is generally
found, is problematical.
The Red Cloud mine is owned by
George B. Moulton, James BARLEY and
Lewis Keller. The tunnel is in SO feet,
following along the vein, which varies
from a few inches to about three feet in
places. The vein is what is termed a
contract vein, lying between granite
porphyry and limestone. At the mouth
of the tunnel there is a shaft sunk to a
depth of 20 feet, which shows very fav-
orably in the bottom. The character of
the ore is galena and carbonate of high
grade. running as high as 300 ounces to
the ton, on tests made at the Omaha
smelling works. There is from twelve
to fifteen tons of ore on the dump.
The Merritt lode is situated on Gus
ter Hill, and the locations are known
as Merritt numbers 1 and 2. This prop
erty is principally owned by John Cum
mings, who is now east, for the purpose,
it is said, of purchasing smelling works.
The vein is well defined for a long dis
lance on the surface, and shows any
amount of black galena and carbonate
ore. There is not much development
made on this lode at the present time,
though, prospectively speaking it stands
high in the estimation of those having
a knowledge of mining. Assays show
the grade Of ore to run as high as $50
ounces of silver to the ton, and 40 per
cent lead.
The company owning the Ell Refugio
mine, own two others on Mineral Hill,
namely, the Hardscrabbie and Caribou.
These mines all run parallel with each
other, and embrace a large scope of
country. At the present time this com-
pany are sinking shafts at different
points, in order to ascertain the extent
and thickness of their vein, which lies
in nearly a horizontal position. A large
number of shafts have already been
sunk on this ground, varying in depth
from ten to twenty feet, in nearly all of
which vein matter has been found in
mammoth proportions. The general
character of the ore is galena and car
Donate of good grade. Several hundred
tons of ore might be shipped from this
mine at the present time.
The Yellow Jacket mine is owned by
Senieur g. Collins, and bids fair to be
n of the "big things" of the district.
The ore from this prospect assays sew
eral thousand dollars to the ton, and
the wners have refused $40, 900 for the
mine. At this time there is but little
development made.
The Custer mine is situated on Gus
ter Hill, and owned by Frank Rayborg
& Co. The shaft is down 30 feet: and
shows a continuous vein, varying from
one to two feet in galena and carbonate
of high grade, and will undoubtedly
pay well when reduction works are
placed in the district.