The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-12-16
THE HECLA
Proposed Construction Of a Horse Rail
way.
"A Future full Of Promise for Glendale,

A Future full Of Promise for
In an interview yesterday with a gentleman
identified with the operations of the Hecla
consolidated Company of Glendale, facts
were elected which will be particularly graf
flying to all who are interested in the ener-
getlc development of the mineral resources
OF this favored Territory. The property,
which las lately been bonded, consists of
fifteen claims named as follows: The Alta,
Atlantis, Cleve, Avon, Hecla, True Fissu1e,
Marc Antony, Arladne, Cleopatra, Trapper,
Dubuque, Keokuk, Emma and Franklin.
They are all well developed, extensive and
permanent mines. The Alta, True Fissure
and Cleve are the only ones of the group
which have been worked to amy extent during
the past year, but the product of these three
was more than the smelter i'm present opera.
ton could reduce. Considering the vast extent
OF the ore bodies developed in these proper
ties the yield is exceedingly rich in precious
metals, carrying an average of one hundred
ounces in silver to the ton, twenty-five per
cent. lead and from five to ten per cent.
sNot1pi' Ao tHC Capacity VI blG SuClJGF IS
forty tons each twenty-four hours tbs value
OF the daily bullion output can readily be es-
tlmated, and the conspicuous success of the
company's operations becomes easy of expla-
nation.
There are at present at the reduction works
upwards of POO tons Of silver-lead bullion
and copper matte awaiting transportation,
though it will probably not be shipped till the
opening of spring lessons the present exorbi-
tant demands of teamsters. AS it was deci-
ded not TO ship this bullion, it was deemed
advisable by the company to reduce expenses
for the winter as there was no advantage to be
gained by accommodating the metal at the
smelter. Consequently over one hundred men
have lately been discharged, and a still fur
Their reduction in the working force employed
at The. mines may be expected in q few days.
However, although the activity of the sum-
mer's operations will relax to some extent
during the winter season. and although devel-
opment will not be pushed with remarkable
yigor until increased reducing capacity is Sc
cured, it is nevertheless the purpose of the
superintendent Y hSCp Il oulCilCl III IL
uous operation. Over fort Thousand tons of
ore are now mined and ready ito be put
through the furnaces, and it is likely that the
bulk of this large o will be smelted be-
fore extensive mining operations are esune
La view ,ofdhe total inadeqnacy of the present
facilities it is the intention of the company
next sprlngdo begin the erection of additional
reduction works. Three buildings will be
put up whose dimensions seyerally will be 80
X10Q, 30X90, and 40X60 feet. These will be
constructed on the most approved plan. fitted
with the. best aobtainable machinery, and run
Oh a hasis which science and experience have
demonstratedto be the most profitable. The
value of the bullion output for the current
year exceeds $1,000, 900, of which but a COM
paratiyeiy small amount has been required to
completion of the proposed improvments, the
smelling capacity will be doubled, whence it
appears that the bullion product for the COM
ing year will be upwards of S2,OO0.pOO-a
showing which readily accounts for the GER
tainty Of the property being purchased on the
eNllIdtloH " Vic po!iQ.
1t is not generally known, perhaps, that the
mines are situated fully nine miles from
Glendale, where the reduction works are To-
Gated, and that ia tile winter season heavy
expenses are incurred and great difficulty
in hauling ore to the smelter.
obvIate this trouble, and lessen the cost of
transportation, the construction of a railroad
has been for "a long time in contemplation,
and operations looking 10 that end have al
been commenced. The idea is to build ,
what is known AS IL horse hallway, the attrac-
lion Of gravitation being the motive power on
;he down grade, and horsefesh being ell ,
ployed TO haul back the empty cars to the ]
mines. A road of this kind | is in very sue
,essful operalion in Little Cottonwood, Utah, .
md there is 40 room for doubt that an enter ,
Prise of a similar nature would be equally +
in Montana. Two miles OF grading :
nave already been flushed b" the H"cla Il
Company, and the iron required for the entire G
enoth Of the road is now on the ground.
it is probable that the Utah a. Northern
will not be the first railroad in Montana.
The mines to which the proposed road will
are situated at an altitude of over ten II
fee. from the see level and no =
rouhle is anticipated from water as the y
lpi,us. is far as developed, are entirrly dry. st