The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-12-20
AT BARKER.
Infor nation Ga hered by a "HiyeT
Press" Representative.
What the Snester is Dcing--The
Wright g. Edwards Mine---The
Proposed hew Snelter---Re-
ports frcn, the Adjoining
Distrcts---The BuSi-
ness OF the Gutch,
Etc, Etc.

This is usuallya dull season Of the year
in mining camp, and Barker feels 1t
SO in an especial way on account OF the
unavoidable closing down of work that
would have continued duling the winter
if the Clendenin mining and smelling
company could have secured needed
machinery this fall or winter. Superin-
tendent Burghardt made calculations on
increasing the roasting capacity of the
smelling works to at least twenty-five
tons daily, and other requirements in
the same proportion. but it was late be-
| tore this course had been decided upon,
and at length it was deemed necessary,
alions until 81 ring, lest it should be found
| impossible 10 get the machinery through
| from the east in the winter. Meantime
arrangements were under way to pre-
pare for the new state of affairs. Con-
tracts We're let for great quantities OF
coal; for the erection OF mammoth
sh, DIS; for duplicating the present build
ing and large force of men were put
on the Wright & Edwards mine to Sc
cure in advance an abundance of ore for
future operations. During this time
some two or three hundred men We're
given employment in different capacities
and the camp was in the iull enjoyment
OF a boom. But OF course the postpone
ment OF the improvements until spring
rendered it necessary TO close down in
part on such extensive operations-and
the result is that Barker has Ielapsed in
to a comparative state of quetness. This,
however, is to last but two or three
months, as at the earliest ditte possible
the company will get the NEEDED ma
chlnery, through, and from that tlme its
, operations will he more extensive than
ever before. The day Of Barker's per-
nlanent and increasing boom is near at
| hand. Next season will see it one of
the lvelest camps in Montana, and the
Clendenin mining and smelling com
pany will do much to make it such.
They have ''set their stakes" to operate
on large scale and the result will be
beneficial in Il large degree to Barker.
superintendent Burghardt. in common
with all others In the gulch, has unlim-
tied con fidence in the wealth of the dis
trict and he can be counted upon to push
things.
The WRIGHT & EDWARDS.
Through the courtesy of Judge Gray
foreman of the Wright u Edwards mine
and accompanied by Prof. Foss, we had
, thu. pleasure of exploring the w. d e
throughout, taking in the tunnel, level
slopes and every part OF the lead thai
has been opened up. Entering the tun
. llel we pursued our way to the mine anc
( followed the north level to the shaft
| Here we made the ascent on ladders t,
/. tue different slopes, examing each as VIZ
/ / went along. Two men were at work IL
;. each Of the slopes, taking out ore, and a
: every point a fine body Of ore was expos
+ ed to view. Having looked through th
) slopes we again descended to the leve
a and followed it north as far as it hat
i been driven, we would guess about en
o hundred feet. Through about half Q
: this di stance there was a body OF or
: from six to seven feet in width, whicl
:. can be seen upon the floor OF the Level
D presenting something Of a bonanza aI
J, pearance. Owing to a divergence Of tn
Y vein for the past week or two the nfe
J. have been working through almost bal
rem rock, but as we saw it the indica
# tions pointed Enthusiastically to the fac
|, that one or two shifts would again sllo,
d large body of mineral. In its preser
It appearance the mine looks well and
d improving as it is veloped- Judg
II Gray informed US that ii required b
It could take cut thirty tons of ore da.
e but at present his force has been reduce
'e and the average output OF ore is abol
o ten ems. Under the managemer
y Of Judge Gray the mine has been put i
= splendid condition and is beings work Z
# OH systematic mining principles. On
would hardly recognize it as the SAM
IS property OF q year ago, when there wa
l. nothing but holes on the surface. Whs
should be done and at once. is to sin
on the lead another hundred feet 6
e more, but to accomplish this result ]
= will be necessary to secure hosting iii