The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-05-31
A BIG BOOM FOR BARKER.
The Wright & Edwards Mine
Tapped by the Tunnel,
Exposing at a Depth Of 40 Feet a
Fine Body Of Mineral.


The Working at the North Levels Iras-
proving both sn Stze and Quality.
At 2 o'clock a. ~. of the goth inst, Mon
day) the workmen in the Wright 6 Edwards
tunnel at Barker struck the lead, exposing to
their welcome view fine body of mineral of
higher grade than has yet been found in
that splendid property. Prof. Foss, Iii.
Wright and others interested were aroused
from their peaceful slumbersand informed of
the find, and were soon vending their way
up the side of the gulch to get look at the
lead, 140 feet below the surface. In every
respect it surpassed expectation. A splendid
body of mineral was exposed to view and in
the opinion of Prof. Foss and other experts,
of higher grade than has yet been brought
to light.
The width of the vein and amount of ore
can not yet be reported as the courier who
brought in the news (Hi WrighD did not
wait for further ,developments-nor stand
upon the order of starting, but started at
once for Benton, carrying letters to JOS Hill,
Col Donnelly, T. E. Collins and others in
terested Mr. Wright arrived last night at
10 o'clock and even at that late hour the
good report he brought had wide circulation
ii short time and was received with untold
qualification everywhere.
Hi brought in number Of specimens OF
the ore found for exhibition and they have
attracted great deal of attention to-day
The specimens are brighter and more brittle
than the ore from the upper levels, and IN
the opinion of experts, richer
The following is an extract from Prof.
Foss' letter to Jos. 8. Hill, and Mr. Foss is
man who does not let his enthusiasm run
away with his judgment:
GOLD RUN, NJ T., May 80, 1882.
To Mr.. J. s. Hill,
Dear Sir: The tunnel reached the vein IN the W. q
E. this a. m 257 feet from the entrance, and 39 feet
from the outcrop Al this time am unable to report
the width of the vein or the amount of ore. shall
visit the mine tomorrow and make an assay OF ths
ore and report to you in full by Wednesdays mail
am well pleased with the outlook. The working
at the north end is improving both in size and in
quality, n. a. ross
AS stated IN the closing lines above, the
lead in the upper levels is constantly improV-
ing. and there is now, with the amount OF
| work done, and the lead tapped 40 feet be-
| low the surface, not shadow of doubt as
| to the fact that the W. s. E. is great prop
erty. and certain to become one Of the lead
| ing mines of Montana. AS shown by the
| work performed, the body of ore is contin-
| uous for distance of over 600 feet and IN
proving as greater depths are reacned, Win
no limits yet found, a showing that is un-
precedented in the Territory.
The result Of all this will be big boom
| for Barker. Prof. Foss is satisfied, in fact,
enthusiastic. The work of increasing the
capacity of the smelter to twenty-five or
thirty five tons a day will be commenced at
once, and new life will be thrown into the
camp. For two or three months everybody
has been waiting to learn how the Wright
& Edwards would 'span out, and now that
the result is as favorable as the most sanguine
anticipated, the boom will not be slow about
setting in. Benton as we'll as Barker will
reap the benefits.
Hi. Wright made the trip from Barker te
| Benton in one day.
Wright s. Edwards stock IS away up.
Il told you so" is the cry OF those who
have never lost faith in the lead.
| There is a vacancy in the business man
agement of T. c. Power 81 Bros at. Benton
Joe Hill says there is no need OF mar
working when he has a million in sight.
John Hunsberger wears smile to-day that
is childlike and bland
Real estate and lead property at Barker
/ have doubled in value in tWenty-four hours
The Barker coach took out full load this
morning. They had heard of the boom.
The next coach will bring the assay value
of the ore and fuller particulars as to the ex
| tent of the lead.
Messrs. Fl. G. Tillinghast and George ii
Maddox. of Chicago and Boston respect
iyely. will smile when they rsad their Bentor
kilograms to-day.
Hi. Wright will have to repeat his story
thousand times to-day.
81 knew it could not be otherwise. Col