The Elk Mountain pilot., 1881-12-29

>'S S-A~f'~ Va NhS SiSSH1Su NdtOIiOCS 0l
silver, milling from 500 to 900 ounces
of silver to the ton. At a depth of
three to six feet ruby silver $50 to 20
per cent. pure silyer,) brittle silver
and native silver, have manifested
themselves, and a: greater depths sui
phurets of silver. 10 q depth of 40
to 50 feet the ore is of almost unex-
ampled richness and las not often
proved SO refractory as to necessitate
any very complicated process IN treat
ment. but arsenical iron and zinc are
coming in quite strongly in some Of
the deeper shafts. While these are
the miners most uncomfortable ap-
parition-zinc is so hated that he calls
it black jack they nevertheless
augcr we'll Cor the strength and per
manency Of the veins. There is but
little lead in the richest RUDY mines.
The first lead was located here, the
Ruby Chief, on June S, 1879, and al
most simultaneously anumber of other
locations we're made by different pros
pecting outfits, who had ventured in
the. what seemed to be then, out-of-
way place. In less than two months
there were over two hundred prospec-
tors on the ground. There was one
small stock Of goods kept in log
cabin by Field g. Kelsey, who packed
in their supplies from Gunnison City.
Chas. Stevens, the "sweet singer in
lsreal," had been commissioned post
master of the camp, also kept a butch
er shop, which embraced all the mer-
cantfle business done here in 10, all
the other inhabitants being prospcc-
tors. Everybody was busy during that
summer sinking assessments, and along
in the fall, when great many were
ready to 90 into winter quarters
in other parts Of the state, they con-
ceived the plan of laying out town
site here, which was then heavily
timbered forest, but to the eve Of one
fond of natural scenery around Lake
Brennand, the most beautiful spot on
earth.
The town or rather the postoffice
was named Irwin, after Richard
Irwin, although it has been generally
known as Ruby Camp, derived from
tine ruby silver found in rich and
large quantities. The rich discovery
made in the Forest Queen mine, dur
ing the summer, created quite an e1-
citement, but winter setting in leaving
the miners without proper supply Of
winter provisions, compelled the most
Of them to depart for other sections Of
the country. Those who staid in
camp numbering about sixty, includ-
ing two women, were compelled to
pack their supplies from Cunnison.
then town consisting of two small
stores and one poorly kept hotel, on
their backs. Certainly the hardships
endured by these sixty soul, are be-
yond description, often starvation
staring them in the face, but they were
strong hardy men and would endure
most anything for the sake Of grasp
ing wealth. Strange to say, the most
Of those martyrs are poor to-day, and
many of them have left here seeking
new fields. The rich discovery Of
high grade ruby silver on the surface
of the Forest Queen orea;ei quite an
excitement throughout the country.
causing fabulous reports of the won
derfulrichness to be published through
out the state. Like all big mines the
discovery Of the Forest Queen has a
history, and although it has been re-
lated repeatedly, is substantially as
follows:
A man named W. A. Fisher, who
had driven all the way from Missouri
with an OK team, and who had never
seen mine, arrived at the lower end
Of RUBY gulch July !, 1879. The grade
was very steep and the mud ALMOST
bottomless at his point Of entry, and
his wagon became almost hopelessly
mired. A spectator, O. P. Mace,
succeeded in pulling him out with
strong pair of mules, and Fisher CRATE
fully told him he would give him a
half interest in the hrst mine he found.
M,ca 1;ttls thouohf tha blindness