The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-04-13

the opening Of that remarkable silver
basin in the Uncompshgre Range known
As Ingraham Park-named from Its dis
cove rer, or rather from the discoverer
Of the way into II. Ever since 1873 the
greedy eyes Of prospectors looked over
| into . small basin In the San Miguel
Nountains-a spur Of the uncompah-
gre-and they tried to enter 1t, but its
precipitous Interior seemed to defy
| their efforts.
The course Of the great lodes Of that
region seemed TO justify the idea that
I they headed at or near this basin in the
mountains. Its form Is eliptical, .
singular amphitheater as II were, about
two miles in diameter-its lowest point
being $500 feet below the tops OF the
mountains surrounding it and about
! ZOO feet above the sea. II Is situated
about ten miles west of Silverton and
fifteen miles southwest of Ouray--the
county seat Of San Juan County.
A stream which heads in the Park
empties in the San Miguel River over
the western edge Of divide in enormous
falls which are exceedingly picturesque.
1t was along the course of this stream
basin was at last discovered.
In April Of 1876 b. III. Bayles, Esq,
the most prominent furniture dealer in
Denver, dispatched Mr.W II. Richards,
thorough and reliable prospector,
well known in Denver mining circles,
to prospect in the Uncompahgre dis
trict. Mr.. Richards reached Ouray in
May, after months tedious journey
through the deep snow Of the noun
tains. His first exploit was TO locate
the now famous bullion lode, on the
side OF Mt. Hayden, four miles from
Ouray. This lode is feet wide, being
nearly all rich pay ore between the
walls. Col. Goss, of Denver, brou hit
home pound sample Of the ore, which
is now on exhibition, at the mint in
that city, and has caused quite sensa-
ton in mining circles. After doing his
sschaffee- work on this lode, and sigh
ing for other rich strikes, Mr.. Richards
worked along to the southwest, where
he was finally joined by MIR. J. 9.
Ingraham, who had at last found a way
into the mysterious basin TO which
have before alluded as Ingraham Park.
Together they entered the basin,
where apparently no human foot had
ever trod. As may be supposed their
movements were carefully concealed,
that they might prospect fully without
interruption. The general appearance
Of the park seemed to be that Of great
"blow-outs" cf mineral, and fully sus-
tanned the theories formerly held re-
garding this basin as being the foun-
tain head of the great fssure-veins
which are found in this region. Some
of the lodes project several feet out of
the country rock and are distinguishes
bic for mile distant--looking like
enormous walls.
In spite of all their precautions they
we're traced by two Californians, few
weeks later. They followed them BY
means Of q popularity in the heels Of
Ingraham's boots. Once in the park
they found chances to locate" to their
hearts content.
MINERAL WEALTH.
The surface lodes Of this basin APP
pear to have N. W. and S. r. direc-
ton, and are in some cases OF enormous
width, the general character of the ore
being argentiferous galena and gray
copper, generally high grade ores,
averaging from $50 to 800 ounces per
ton.
The B. ii. Bayles mine has crevice
40 feet wide, cut by numerous "pay-
streaks" Of from 5 to Is inches in width !
and assaying from $50 to 40 ounces to |
the ton. The Ingraham has well de-
fined crevice 60 feet wide, and the aver |
age taken from large number Of as
says gave 500 ounces to the ton. The
San Miguel lies just on the summit Of
the divide which forms the western
edge Of the basin. The ore from this
mine is of the same character as the /
lngraham. The gangue rock taken \
from the crevice is literally black with I
native silver. There has been no assay
made as yet Of this mine, but it Is be-
lieved to be Of extraordinary richness.
In 15-foot vein IL found q pay-streak
Of 5 feet in width. The Galena shows
large cubes Of galena, carrying heavy
amounts Of brittle and antimonial sill
yer exposed 10 view ON the "blossom
rock" The crevice Is about rs feet ia
width and tunnel which Mr.. Richards
ran into the mountain side intcrsecting
Il showed that the crcvice widened as Il
descended.
An old prospector named Wilder,
who was " staked" by q Pittsburgh
Company, located some extremely rich
mines in this park. Among his best
selections may be mentioned the Cham
bers and the San Miguel Chief-an ex-
tension Of the b. II. Bayles.
The crevice Of the San Migue! Chief
is 70 feet wide, cut by large number
Of pay streaks. The ore is gray cop
per and galena carrying brittle silver,
estimated from various essays at over
600 ounces per ton. The Chambers is
about so feet wide, and the ore OF about