The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-08-31
THE BARKER MINES.

ESCULLlG u SLCGb .tl1LuCt1i AU|h*5rAA5 'oA3
perhaps second to none in Montana orln the
West. The indications clearly point that
way. The precious metals are there in IA
bulous quantities waiting for that torchstone
most needed to turn quartz into bullion, cap
isal. Two years ago when the district was
discovered it WAS believed there were mil
lions in it, and the meageE developments
since made gp to confirm this opinion.
There is now bat one mine 10 the camp de-
veloped to any considerable extent, the
Wight & Edwards, and that, becluse Of the
work done on it, shows up better than the
= others. In the estim ltion Of gentlemen who
have had large experience ia quartz mining
this lead is held to be one Of the richest in
the Territory, . yeritible bonanza. Any
doubts on this score that may noW exist will
be removed within the next few months
when the smelter will be in operation and the
mine can be more rapidly developed. But
what is true Of the Wight s. Edwards will
he equally true of mlay oshec mines. The
starting OF the amalter marks the beginning
of an era of activity and development and an
era Of property for the camp. Up to this
time but little work, further than prospecting,
has been done. The owners of the leads are
as a rule poor men aud must secure by some
means the whereWitha Il to live. Developing
the mines brings no ready cash and hence
there are bat few lie IDS in the camp that have
more than a prospect hole in them. When the
smelter is in operation these men can realize
on their labor. There will then be some in
centive to work, and the development Of the
camp will 60 on at q rapid rate. It may be
safely set down that the next year will be one
OF great activity at Blrker and that the
value of mining property in that time will be
enhanced in no small degree. Dependency
is already giving way to encouragement.
The BArkerites see better times ahead ana
are encouraged to persevere.
The annals Of the slow development Of
the Barker district are about like those Of
every good camp. Butte had her period of
dependency. For years after the first claim
was located there fifty dollars would have
bought the choice lead AMI to day mines il
that district sell for millions. Ell. Wright,
one OF the owners Of the Wight s E lwards,
opened the Lexington mine at 3 lite that
soid the other day for a round million, and
ny says there - NJ comparison between the
leads. As far as developed the former Is
much the richer and the ore more easily
worked. But Supt Foss AMI others whose
should have much weight Ia the
premises % not consider the w. IS 3. the
pest mlne IN the district by any means. and
INC probability is that leads yet uudeveloped
or perhaps undiscovered will be TIE real bo-
nanzas Of the camp. 1t ID not likely Ii i III
Barker district will b as slow of deyeloD-
ment rs was the Butte. When the. latter was
discovered placer mining VAS all-the rage in
montana tor the reason that the ssdiggings'
were new aud rich and could be worked
much capital. Tae average miner
- mat time had . very poor opinion Of
'fock." Now it is differ ent, however. The
ACT IS general recognized that M ontana has
ne richest quartz fields in the great West
md that it pays to work them. Machinery
AN pc more easily transported into the Ter
ltory now than then AMI clpital is not rs
lmtd or quartz. Every Indication points 10 :
rapid development Of the Barker camn !
When once a good start has been made. and :
nc next tWelvemonth we think will see the
'oom set IN. The RIVER Press wants to see i
ne men who have stayed with their leads !
trough many trials and diff ;ulties rewarded 4
they deserve to be and we are Inclined ia
INK the harvest i near at hand. s.
me development Of these mines. is a mat Y
or great Importance to Benton. This il Il
le natural supply point for the camn and D
) the latter grows and prospers 50 will our a
'Wn. When Gold Run or Hughes City be.
omes a Leadville or Deadwooa, Benton q
III .oe their Denver. The rapid progress or N
OF this great mining district t.
leans the rapid progress of Benton and our 6
eople will not be true to their own interests :,
mess they assist as far as possible ia hasten. W
e inc development of the mines, One
ing mat should be done, and ia fact has
zen promised, is the construction of q good
agon road from here to the camn, This
oFk' as agreed, should be executed within m
e next month or two. There is no tim to
SO and the money subscribed for that pur- #
use should be collected and expended on the
az. The county commissioners should aid
Inc good work as this highway in the near
'ofei IS llkely to be the most important in
county. Barker is no longer an uncer- til
my or It's future a mater of doubt or spec
ston. The precious metals are there in -
limited quantities and time will see the
mp one of the most famous in tho q,arrito
we write this down as a, prediction and :
'ko our reputation as a prophet on the !.
: SC,
-
ahSA4oR HARRISON aud Judge Miller, of de-
---s - l.