Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-06-20
A WESTERN BONANZA
To be Rsapsd by West Virginia Cap.
itallsts.
A Joint Stock Company to be Organized
to WoSk Seven Arizona Miaes--far-
8Ns7 tieuIars of he Expected
sss 81 Dorado.

For the past day or two there has been
some little talk about the city Of an enter
prise in which q number OF prominent
West virginians had embarked and which
would probably prove a veritable
bonanza. 1t was connected with Western
cold and silver mines-not the mythical
kind found in Hancock County-but gem
uine, yielding silver mines and gold ones,
too. The first mention OF the matter was
made to REGISTER reporter recently by Gen.
r. E. Fleming, who Is himself interested,
and who directed the news gafherer 70
George Bumgardner, ESQ.,, the manager Oh
the mines, and now stopping at the NC
Lure House This latter gentleman, VINO
was a quarter master in the Federal army,
under both Generals Golf and Fleming,
came from Harrison county, west VIZ
ginia, and went west in 1867. The inter
yening time he has spent IN New mexico,
Arizona and Mexico, and his nome ~ AZ
present in Osceola, Iowa
Yesterday afternoon the man of news in
teryiewed him at the Mcclure House and
obtained complete history OF the enter
prise, though Mr.. Bumgardner rather pro.
tested against any publication &C this time.
Marshal G. w. Atkinson, who is one OF the
interested parties, was present during the
interview, occasionally helping out on the
explanations.
In the southern Fart of the rich gold and
silver bearing territory of Arizona, in Pima
County, runs the Santa Rita range of
mountains, pregnent with precious metals.
In q group of these mountains, half en-
closed by a loop of the extension OF the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad,
seven new mines have been located. Con-
trary to the custom OF the
Western country, they do not bear
very high sounding titles and
are known as the "Silyer Greek" Grin.
goire," Hopeful" SNOW, Marion,
Goodwill and silver Bell mines. These
mines have each been examined by r. c.
Jacob, a well-known San Francisco expert
and assayist and his report was exhibited
by Mr.. Bumgardner. An average assay OF
the seven mines, from only six foot shafts,
shows an average yield of 81 AZ to the ton.
All of the mines are nearly adjoining, save
the silver Bell" and "Silver Creek"
which are about two miles distant. The
average distance from the railroad is about
six miles, connection being made by Tenn
poral Gulch, q pass in the mountains, fol-
lowing Sonoita Creek. The distance is
about sixty miles southeast of Tucson, the
principal town of Arizona.
supposed to be an extension OF Rupert"
mine, which was sold for $4,000 and is
now worth over half a million. The report
of Mr.. Jacobs says Silver Bell opens more
promisingly than did Rupert and the
natural belief is that il is in the same gold
bearing lode. 4 short distance to the west
is the celebrated Laura mine, valued at
above a million dollars and owned by the
Surprise Mining Company, OF Iowa. Other
rich mines ale near at hand. This much
to show the general mining value OF this
vicinity.
The proposition is in this shape: Mr..
Bumgardner has bonded these seven mines,
or has the refusalo them for limited time;
that is to say, he has paid 5000 down, to
secure the bargain and can purchase within
a certain time. The price asked is $4,000.
He proposes to raise a company, buy the
property and organize under the laws OF
West Virginia. For that purpose he has
drawn up an agreement, signed by those
who have or will subscribe. The agreement
is perfectly fair, to all appearances. 1t re-
cites that the subscribers agree to subscribe
the amounts set opposite their names, for
the purpose of purchasing the mines men
toned. But before any money is
to be paid over, committee
is to he appointed, 60 to Arizona
view the mines and perfectly satisfy itself
they are as represented. A subscription
sufficient to pay the expenses of the com.
mittee is the only money to be paid until
the committee reports its satisfaction. II is
to divide the 100000 into sixty
shares of 81 900 each, no less than one share
to be taken, and at proper time charter
will be taken out.
Sounds perfectly fair, don't it?' said
Marshal Atkinson, who then gave the
following names of gentlemen wei known
in the State who we're nov or who were to
become connected with the enterprise:
Judged. r: Fleming Gen. R. r. Fleming, Judge
Samuel Maxwell, Gen. Nathan Goff, John A.
Hutchinson. o. G. Schoield, Col. l.. b. Dellik-
er, A. N. Williams Sheriff Smith, of Wood
DR.. James Moffett, G. w. Atkinson,
Charles L Wells, w. p. Hubbard, ]. y.
Gould, Of the First National Bank, Fair
mont, J. T. Sands of the Farmers Bank;
and there were many others he did not
remember. They had all looked into the
matter and were satisfied to in, under the
conditions named.
"If however" ventured the REGISTER
man. this is such bonanza, why does the
present owner wish to seli?"
II ID ILLS way, duSHcEcu MI. DuAueaAu-
ner Mines IN Arizona are located by pro-
fessioual prospectors. They go about the
mountains and locate mines, and as fast as
they locate them sell them. II they should
get as much as 800, 0OO they would 60 up
to Tucson and drink and gamble until it is
all gone, when they go out prospecting
again. Their business is to find, and not
wcrk mines"
tsAfter these mines are boNght, will not
additional capital be required to work
thEmp' -,-r
"a little-not very much. A mining
camp is quickly and cheaply established"
"Doyou propose to do your own reduc
ing?"
That is one of the after considerations.
and will depend upon circumstances. There
are several smelling mills in the vicinity.
where reducing is done By contract, at so
much per ton. However, we may build
eur own reducing establishment"
In q short time meeting will be held
either here or at Grafton. for the purpose
OF organizing, and at the same time the
committee of investigation will be ap.
pointed. From the facts as presented and
the representations Is made, the enterprise
looks very favorable, and there can be no
doubt OF the fairness OF the proposition Mr..
Bumgardner makes