The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-07-01
THE SILVER CITY.
Rich Silver Mines and I'm
mepse Reduction
Works.
From Our Trareling Correspondent.

rum ouT lTHoctHy 1offcspVssat"s.
1t is too much of an undertaking for me to
say all that the surroundings have prompted
me to say about the " Silver City," it's rich
mines the advantages, etc, but shall briefly
state that it has not its peer in the way of
rich mineral deposits anywhere in the Terri
tory, If on the continent, that has vet been
brought to the eyes of the eager and deserv-
ing prospector. The jealous prospector is
ready AZ all times to pronounce every pros
pect-the last of course-the best, thinking,
OF course, that fortune has favored him this
time and his search has not been in vain
The mines of Butte are just reaching state
of development which may be considered
base to act from, so that in the near future
the people may begin To look forward with
feeling of assurance. Time forbids my at
tempting TO give complete description of
the mines. and all that would be of interest
TO the eager, as well as the critical, who may
peruse this plainly and uncolored description
of the Eldorado" of the West, which is he
ing heralded from ocean TO ocean. The future
of the mines in the immediate vicinity of
Butte was never so full of promise as at the
present time, and il Is quite encouraging to
note that the camps not supported by money
brought in by outsiders. 1t stands on its own
solid merits. The mines of this camp are
! their own advertisement They are growing
richer and larger with every stroke of the
! pick. and on this fact alone depends the at
traction of capital At one time a distrust
prevailed rs TO what the ore would be after
deep developments had been made, but this
is no longer question of doubt, for the fact
has been verified and clearly demonstrated in
| the Alice bonanza. IL Is now conceded by all
| practical miners that the small surface devel-
| opments are less profitable than where greater
| depth has been obtained. One very great ad-
| vantage that Butte has over most other
camps is that she has her own mills and
smelters to treat the ores, and thereby saves
| an exhorbitant price which would otherwise
| have TO be paid. Where the ores are manip-
| ulated in this way there Is no possibility for
| inside bonanza men to accumulate their
millions. A large amount of Eastern capital
is being attracted in this direction. From re-
| cent explorations of the mines their extent
and permanence has been placed beyond the
pale of doubt. The peoIl e of Butte are not
wrong in predicting a boom never before
| equaled IN the mining industry, and that sub
| sequent success will keep 1t lively for years
| to come.
The most important mines in the vicinity
| of Butte are the Magma Charta, Alice, Moul-
| ton and Lexington The Alice Company has
| lately received a pulverizer which will be
| placed in position soon in the vicinity of the
| Magma Charta shaft-house. The Magna
Charta ore is too base to amalgamate on the
copper plates which accompany the pulver-
| izer. In case the pulverizer does not accom-
| plish what is claimed for it, it will be replaced
| by ten-stamp mill. A shaft 800 feet deep
| has already been attained and the work is
steadily progressing. Levels will soon be ex.
| tended on the vein by north cross-cnt. At
present they are hosting very little ore,
| owing to the machinery being somewhat i'm
paired. There will soon be n new engine
placed in position. The Slopes on the north
vein are being actively worked in the 200-foot
level. After this shall have been accom-
| plished force of men will be employed at
once TO extend the GOO-foot drifts east and
west, and in stopping the large body of ore
now in sight and pretty well developed. The
extraction Of ore on the 7O0-foot level will be
| increased somewhat when the winzs above
mentioned shall break through.
One interesting statement for me TO chron-
| icle about the mines is that the ore on the
100foot Is richer and susceptible of cheaper
reduction than that above. When the con-
nections shall have been made i'm the GOO and
| 1O0-foot levels the sinking of the main shaft
| will continue to a depth of 600 feet and
cross-cuts will be run to the vein from the
| 500 ard ,000-foot stations. When this depth
has been attained it Is quite likely the en-
gnes now in use will be replaced by ones of
| largely increased power. The Alice Com
pany, it is evident, is going to ascertain the
value and extent of their property, which
| doubt not may have its rival in this camp
At the Meadsrville works they are reduc-
ing about 100 tons daily of first, second and
third class ores, that average from 40 to 20
per cent. copper. The main shaft has attain
ed depth of $50 feet and the cross-cut run
ming to the main vein is go feet. OF late
they have been making some improvements
about the Silver Bow mill A new ore house
has reached completion, 50xlo0, and machine
shop and boiler-room, s0x40 Also ten
stamp mill building, 35x3J, and cooling
floor, 32xs2. These buildings will soon be
completed GEO. III. ScoTT.