New-York tribune., 1878-07-08
THE WEALTH or MONTANA
GROWTH OF IT'S INDUSTRIES.

rFRoMAN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
HELENA, Montana, June 30.-The first
authentic information concerning the region now known
Montana derived from the reports of Captains
Lewis and Clarke, who, during Jeferson's Admnistra-
ton, completed their mastery exploration OF the
sources OF the Missouri and Columbia Rivers follow
ing the latter to its mouth. After lapse of nearly
fifty years gold discovered tributary OF one OF
the south forks of the Columbia. known as Gold Creek
Not however until as late as 1862 regular mining
operations begun IN the Territory, when James and
Granville Stuart paokod the necessary tools ard sup
plies from Walla Wea, and opened the pioneer placer
During the year previous these had communicated
the fact of the existence OF gold in paying quantities. In
this region friends in Colorado, which, IN the unde-
vclOped condition of it's mines, then had population II
could not probably employ. aud IN the mOnfn OF June
following "A large party arrived from that point, when
systematic and energetic prospecting for placers was
begun. In June. 1868, the most famous Of AL piacers
was discovered by William Fairweather In Alder Guch
For distance Of fully miles, from It's source 10
the Passamari River. it found 10 be extreme
ly rich. yielding within three years, at low
estimate, $25,OO0,0OO, and after adding iully
double that amount to the gold product OF
Territory since, is still paying well Daring the
years succeeding this discovery Last Chance, Grz
Civ Dry, Tucker an Nelson Clutches, ali III the vicinity
of Helena we're discovered and opened aud in less than
five years they contributed 10 the aggregate OF the pre-
ciOus metal produced Sl0,00000O Since that time not
less than gO,OOO,oOO NOulu represent inc
treasure this district has yielded portions Of which
still rich and will continue be worked prOhtaby for
years approximate total yield OF Montana placers
nearly S6O,OOO,OOO ten years ago, and an equal
amount should be added the Increase 10 this date
Aeerepce tot0e last annual report OF the director Of the
United States Mint will show that Montana ranks
ond only to California in the quantity OF gold deposited
since tho Mint organized. But it must be remem-
bered that largo percentage OF the product credited TO
Idaho, before the formation Of this Territory, properly
belongs to MOItana, and the large quantities sout IN
early days from this region 70 both California and Colo
RADIO never appeared to the credit OF Montana. From
the best estimates been able to obtain the Terri
tory bad produced 70 bis date about $l20O0OOOO Of
gold
Quartz mining received larger share Of attention
siuce pacers have become productive. and the
perence OF the last decade has resulted In better un-
derstandng OF the proper methods Of developing mines
and treating the different extracted. Many Of the
carly ventures in TINS department proved disastrous IN
some account OF want Of metalurgcal skill,
but iu majority OF instances from utter disregard Of
the cOmmOnest principles That undere sound business
transaeuOns-n Otacr wrds from bad business manage
mont The same sasacity aud close calculation is re-
gured IN mining in commercial affairs but many have
looked upon the business game OF chance. and the
reduction OF sort OF black alchemy, and the
addebran who would promise do the greatest pos
sbes and succeeded in surrounding the projects with
most Of mystery has too often been accepted
expert" and allowed TO squander the money which
ought TO have benefited alike the furnished IT,
and the district in which It invested Montana
promises rich returns for legitimate operations in
quartz as it has hitherto yielded pacers Her lodcs
average better quantity and quality Of than most
OF the regions OF the Rocky Mountain range, while the
OF district carrying the precious minerals Is vast
Geologealy & is largely granite, but belts Of lime,
slate and pOrphyTy frequently found, and IL not
frequently occurs that the richest odes discovered
tl,a of
here do not often present the broken and rugged ap
pearanCe Of tie Colorado ranges but In many
rounded grassy elevations on the SUBMITS Of which
abundant evidences o. aqueous action tue immense
beds gravel and auvium, and the smooth powders
that lie on the surface. At distance about twenty
two miles form Helena, the OF the range,
at point where the altitude 4 not 5000 feet above
the sea- is situated 1he famous PenObscOt Nine,
from Which tken In one month the gold that made
the monster brick recently exhibited IN New.YOrk
few authentic details concerning this and other mines
attracting attention here, may prove unnter-
estng to readers Tue PenObscOt vein has been traced
for distauee Of several hundred feet and three shafts
sunk 80 to IS fec the deepest Of which particu-
larry examined The other two are reported as paying
well, but do not show the marvellous richness
Of the "Bonanza" shaft, which has suddenly brought
wealth to its and fame 10 the mine This
shaft seems to be at the point OF contact Of the
granite and slate and the vein is almost perfect in
ture the comb Of quartz being fourteen wde show
ing every sign Of strength and permanency At depth
OF sixty feet drift has been In the VEN
distance Of forty feet exposing the character Of
deposit The body of the vein is fable ore cOlored
by oxides of iron and manganese. nearly perpen-
dicular strata Of red and black, ali yielding richly
gold. But the richest narrow and lighter
coOred streaks sometimes slightly stained with copper
consisting chiefly OF porous crystaliZed carbonate
the eye. The vein seems 10 have passed through an
antclnal Of slate and entered the underlying
cs In mining matters, IL Is safe 10 estimate its
extent to an almost unlimited depth. From shaft
hfty feet deep S7OOO0 gold has been extracted,
including loss OF $50 $4J per OccasOned by
the use OF imperfect machinery. Up TO this date az
gTegaie OF IS 900 has been secured cost Of less
than S6OOO from not over $50 tOus Of rock miled. w.
b. Fr1e, OF Detroit has Just purchased this mine for
IN this Territory. Twenty stamps will be in opera
ton at the PenObscOt besides two arastras aud such
other appliances Will Obyiate tue great waste OF
treasure hitherto unavOidabs. Mr. Frue is known 70
Eastern capitalists successful operator in the lake
Superior Copper mines, From his bOyhOOd he has been
engaged in mining and has worked himself up through
! every department until he now ranks among the
Bonanza kings lie came fro1 Scotland 70 the United
states In his youth ana has scessyey worked in iron,
| copper SILVER and gold mines
The Belmont mine, three miles below the Penobscot
opened mine IN that district and one OF excel
lent PROMISE has just been sold for $4,000 Messrs
Frue Vestal Jointly purchasing stil other negotia-
ons pending for the purchase Of interests In that
district, but withheld for the present Within
eight miles of Helena discovery has Just been
made which certainly promises we'll Two men, since
opening the prospect, have averaged about 500 per
day OF the secured 0ssayng high $500 per
ton and little of it less than 800. 1t is vicinity
OF the famous PricIy Pear" placers The
Alta Mine VIII eh had q history ten years
ago, but was never extensively developed, has
lately thrown into sight unexpected quantity
OF I1ch lena For distance OF about one hundred
feet the continuous, averaging about four feet IN
width and increasing in richness development pro-
Rressgs An official examination, just completed reports
the average assay value OF tie entire product Of this
| lnYUl lpVel M aiV Of all
Gold produced to date in MOutana 500 900 900
Silver produced In lS75.........-....-.. 100000
Silver produced IN lS7S-estmated. 2OOOOOO
Gold yield 10 1S77-exp0rted 322OOOO
Silver bars and base bullion lS77-expOrted 100000