The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-12-23
tFrom Sundays Daily.)
THE
An Extensive and Valuable Mining Prop
erty.

The Gagnon mine is one Of the oldest loca-
lions in the camp, having been discovered in
1854. However, at that period in the history
OF Montana, gold mining m~onopolized the
attention of prospectols, and after the discov-
erers of the Gagnon had sunk a shaft to a
depth of a few feet, the property was aban-
doned for a number of years. Several years
ago the property was relocated and finally
passed into the hands of the present owners,
viz: Colonel Thornton and Messrs. Rosen-
thai, Kelly and Ransom.
Although the mine has been in process of
active development for not more than two
years, it has yielded an immense amount OF
high grade ore of greater value to the ton
than that produced by any other mine in the
district.
Three shafts have been sunk on the vein,
two TO a depth of one hundred feet and one,
the main shaft which is an incline, to a depth
Of 1855 feet. From the last, the ledge has been
more extensively prospected than from the
others, three levels having been run. :
The first level is run from a point fifty feet
down, and extends east and west TO a length
OF 23O feet. The vein, though well defined
lacks Uniform thickness. An immense body
OF ore was uncovered. 1t is estimated by
Superintendent Rosenthal that 5000 tons of
free milling ore, averaging in value fifty
ounces OF silver per ton, have been extracted
from the various slopes and u~praises. Be
sides this, the level has yielded between five
six hundred tons of very high grade base ore,
the value Of which per ton was not less than
45O ounces in silver, and about 1000 tons of
low base ore, carrying about min per cent. of
copper and about sixteen dollars in silver.
The latter is still on the dump and will not
be worked until increased facilities for reduc-
ton are obtained. The level is by no means
worked out, but is still showing up to good
advantage with all immense body of ore.
On the second, or 100 foot level, the char
acter of the ore is changed to base, owing to
the fact that it is below water level. The ore
found at this depth carries 100 ounces in sill
yer and from 80 to 40 per cent. copper. Not
less than 1900 tons of this grade of ore have
been extracted from this level and the supply
remains apparently undiminished.
At the third or 15O-foot level which is $50
feet long, the character of the vein remains
unchanged, and a vast amount of high-grade
base ore has been aiken out. Active prepar.
ations are now being made to continue the
work of exploration in a downward direction
which has been prevented heretofore by the
volume of water encountered. The whip ant
tubs, however, have lately been discarded
and on the 1st of January a No. 6 Knowles
pump and suitable hosting machinery viii
be put in place for the proper and systematic
development of this great property.
In our New Years edition we shall give a.
full an account of the value, output and pos
sibilities of the Gagnon as can be obtained
1t is believed by many to be the best mine in
Montana Territory, and requires only AIDE
quate machinery and proper Development tt
prove itself entitled to this distinction.