The Phoenix herald., 1879-04-19
-AGEzGSA
TIE BIo: nre MINING pIsrnlcr


twenty-five miles southeasterly
from Prescott. It is reached by Il
good road down the Aqua Fria, call
ed the Blask Canyon road, thence by
a side road to Big Bug creek and
mines. This creek runs nearly east
and west. The principal mines in
this district are situated on the south
side of range OF mountains that run
along the north side OF Big Bug creek,
in what may be called an open can
you, which is easy to reach with
loaded wagons at all seasons Of the
year by the road / have described.
These mines are peculiarly well sit
uated on account Of their accessibili-
lv and the proximity OF wood and
a fair supply Of water 0btainablc
most parts Of the year from Big Bug
creek. running stream heading in
the mountains at the upper end OF
the canyon, where there Is heavy
pine timber in abundance beth for
mining purposes and general use. 1t
is the intention Of Prof. Cherry, who
is opening some Of the old mines
here aad developing new ones IN the
interest OF Chicago parties, 10 put IL
a new saw mill to cut lumber, not
only for their own use but also for
the general market. He also expects
to have 10-stamp gold mill at work
on these ores ina short time. The
principal mines centering upon Big
Bug creek are the Eugenia, Orion,
Middlesex, Wormsers, Pride Of Big
Bug and Rock Island, which are on
one continuous ledge prospected and
worked to some extent for 5000 feet
This may be called the upper ledge,
on the south side of the divide al
ready mentioned, OF the range north
Of the creek. Lover down and near
er the creek Is another ledge running
parallel 10 The upper one, and plainly
traceable for9,0oJ feet On this ledge
are located the May and Grace,
Ainitv, Isabella, Isabella EXtention,
Lueila and Grown Point. Higher up,
but still on the southern slope and a
LITTLE to the east, Will lie found the
Bic Bug mine, ST Ursula, Oversight,
Vulcan and Ironsides. The St. CTsu-
Ia seems to be continuation Of the
BIG Bug ledge, and others apparently
parallel lodges. Over the divide, on
the north side Of the range, are loca-
ted the Ticonderoga, Independent and
Dividend. These are all gold mines, F.,
and the Big Bug, Eugenia, Orion
Amitv and Isabella have all been
worked to a considerable extent and
4 LARGE amount Of bullion taken out.
The Biz Bug ore assumes some pc
culiar forms, running into avery dark
color nearly as black as anthracite
coal, and Astounding in beautiful
quartz CRYSTALS and iron cubes The
vulcan is an iron-capped mine and
abounds in copper and free gold
The Rock Island shows Il strong
ledge OF white quartz, but has not
been opened 10 any great extent. The
mines ON the lower ledge arc of de
composed quartz premeated with iron
stains. In fact iron, in various forms
Is prominent feature in most Of
these mines.
Still further north, whore the range
drops away into the valley of the
Aqua Fria, are located The Kit Car
son, Silver Flake, Silver Belt. Ida
May, Aqua Fria and Aqua Fria
North.
These sre all silver mines. The
Silver Belt is opened ny Il shaft to
a depth Of more thaa 100 feet, and by
several drifts on different leyals. The
vein is small, but rich in suIphurcts
and horn silver. and strong n Gale
M. The orc Is being worked at the
A qua Fria smelicr, about three miles
from the mine, where plenty ot VA
ter is obtainab,e at all seasons Of the
wear. Nest oi the other mines of this
group have been well opened, but lit
tie or nothing is being done at pres
cnt on them Both sides Of the di-
vile appear to be scanned with .1i.-