The Arizona sentinel., 1878-06-29
ARIZONA SENTINEL.
A Complete Success.


 was located October 10, 1874, by Ridenour Crozler, and two others, who had been re- duced to an extremity of prospector's poverty, by the theft of their entire outfit of animals and supplies by Hualpai Indians. Its ores were rich, but refractory and car rying much base metal. Davis & Randall erected a small mill for quarter interest in the mine. After turning out S130,000 in bullion from ore that averaged S240 per ton, the mill was burned The ores had been worked without roasting and had only yielded about half their assay value. The wreck of the old mill was fitted up again and the tailings worked over, get ing out some S25000, but still leaving tail ings of an average value of S70 per ton, which are now being rewOrked in one pan attached 70 the new mill. Last Fall, Messrs. Howell and Fender contracted to put up for the company new mill, of ten stamps, with a roaster of Howelrs invention and all modern improvements. This new mill and necessary buildings cost S70000 when complete and ready for running. The ma chinery alone cost S24, ,000 in San Francisco The ore is run through a rock-breaker, then dried on a kiln, and then crushed, to- gether with salt, to an impalpable powder in the battery, from whence conveyers car ry it to the roaster. This is a long iron cylinder, havi 2 many improvements on the usual cylinder roasters. The gray powdered ore gradually passes through it, continually falling through flame, until in 10 minutes it begins to pass out thoroughly desulphuri2ed and looking like pounded brickdust. The pulp is then worked in pans to the remarkably close result of 92 per cent. of it's assay. The bullion is base, between 800 and 600 fine; but base bullion is better than rich tailings, The pulp and taihngs are open to sampling and assay of any one who wishes to verify the state ments made in regard to the working of the ores. The erection of the roaster was supervised by Howell himself and the other machinery was put up and is being run by Fender. Consequently everything has gone off smoothly from the beginning When the engine was first started, the mill was kept running fourteen days without any stop or bobble. Fender has now put up thirteen quartz all of which have been successful, aid eleven of which are now running. His firm will agree to put up mill for any mine that can show its value in ore on dump or in place. Their claim that they can put up machinery to closely work any ores carrying less than forty per cent. of base metals seems to be fGlly verified by their success at Hack berry. The entire cost ot roasting seems to fall between one and half and two dollars per ton; the roaster consuming less than two cords of wood per twenty four hours Fourteen men are employed in and about the mill, including both shifts The ore sent down from the mine, two miles distant, is not selected as closely as it used to be for the old mill. From three to five feet of the ledge are now sent down and yield an average of $50 per ton. The rock is hard and tough. Little more than ten tons are crushed daily, and the bullion product is averaging $500 per day. The mine has been opened, on an incline, to a depth of 430 odd feet The fact seems to be generally accepted that ore enoogh has already been developed to run the mill a long time and to make hand some fortunes for its owners. The supply of wood is practically ineXhaustible, but i water has to be used with economy. No trouble has yet been experienced on this score, but it might arse in season of drouth. The lumber used in the mill was made at Hualpai mountain, forty miles l distance guessed) from Blackberry by wagon road. It is excellent lumber and credit to MohaYe county. Around the mill has sprung up as peaceful village as ever sheltered mining community. Ridenour dl Crozicr have an excellent store, Shelton runs frst-class wagon and blacksmith shop, DoolittIe and Martin & Waugh run | two very orderly saloons. Martin is Jus 1 tice of the Peace; but mnst hunt some other camp if he wants that kind ot busi- ness. Ridenour superintends the whole outfit. There is no sign of luxury or waste about Blackberry, but solid comfort sticks out all over: good grub, fair wages, tight roofs, excellent water and delicious eli mate. The location of the village is pre- cipitous, but affords charming views. Here the Peacock and Truxton mountains almost come together, being separated ny a low divide-scarcely canon--on whose southern declivity stands Blackberry. Even the visitor, who knows nothing of ,, ;lliuo- c,- roip -1iII eea thare o method