Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1883-03-24
Mica.

! IN accordance with our promise o
Last week to give full report of some O
the mica mines in this vicinity now lie
ing opened, we started out last Tuesday
| on short tour Of observation. AT q
distance of about three miles southeast
from town, near Maynard's ranch, W
found Fred Russell, Doc Faust, Clar,
Boyden, and Melvin Dempsey at work
on the Climax This mine was located
two years ago by Mr.. Lunger. and by
him sold 10 Mr.. Dempsey. While in
Chicago this last winter, Mr. Dempsey
parted with three fourths Of the mine 10
parties there, who had confidence in the
value Of some of our mica prospects
On his return Dempsey at once set 10
work to show up what was in the loca-
ton, and is beyond doubt meeting with
fattering success
The mine lays on the east Of draw
that leadss down to French creek from
the big rafige Of hills southeast of town,
and is a perfectly defined ledge Of field
and northeast. That portion now dis
covered is about eighteen feet wide be-
tween the slate walls, both Of which are
shown in the open cut as plainly as the
walls Of house. the foot-wall pitches
west at an angie of about twenty degrees
from the perpendicular. The hanging
wall on the west side was nearly perpen-
dicular near the top but is at depth Of
about sixteen feet, the present depth
Of the shaft, beginning to pitch west and
shows every indication Of taking about
the same incline as the foot wall within
the next ten or fifteen feet. In all prob
ability the ledge will eventually prove
10 be about ten feet wide.
From present indications we should
judge that the pay streaks Of mica were
next to the walls on each side, each be-
ing about three feet wide. The one on
the east appears to be the richest in
quantity of mica, but is not yet shown
20 is great a depth as on the west side
where the shaft goes down. In the bottom
of the shaft We noticed one piece of
mica, the top of which was exposed,
which showed an edge about four inches
in thickness and twenty-seven inches
long, how large it Is the other way will
be known by the time the next shot is
fired A large number Of pieces along
the sides Of the shaft were foot long at
least. The boys claim that in prospect
ing the. mine they take ont fully enough
merchantable mica TO pay for the devel-
opment The shaft is situated about in
blossom rock extends long distance
each way from the present workings.
The groupings on the surface are very
thick, bnt SO small that one could scarce
~ credit the fact that SO large mica was
to be found in the bottom. The quality
is good. Clear light wine color being
the predominating hue, although some
was shown liz that had the yelowish
tinge seen in North Carolina mica.
They have erected frame house on
the mine about l2xl6, in which there is
how one cutting machine operated by
Glare Boyden, an expert cutter, who
formerly worked on the Lost Bonanza.
Cutting has but just commenced, but
we noticed several pounds Of good mica
ready for packing, and quite a pile Of
rough mica ready for the machine.
About hundred yards from the
Climax we found Judge J. NJ Lewis and
jim Sanders, busily engaged polishing
the head Of drill Their location is on
the west side OF the Climax, and they
are working on vein Of feldspar about
five feet wide between perpendicular
slate walls. Mica groupings are very
thick but small on the surface. They
are now down only about six feet, but
have taken off the top ofthc ledge about
twenty feet long. At this slight depth
not much could be expected, we never
theless saw some good mica Of the best
quality and feel reasonably sure that
their venture will prove success. One
peculiar feature Of this mine is streak
of some kind of mineral stain in the
centre about six inches wide. What it
is we don't pretend to know, not being
rock sharp, but it is heavy and looks
Just like bromide ofsilver. Several small
pieces Of perfect utramarine blue
were shown, and it would be nothing
strange if in prospecting for mica they
uncover a good silver ledge. Mica is a
good thing, but neither Of the owners
would grieve much If it should happen
To run "all into silver" rs old man
! Kimball says his mine has done. We
feel justified in saying that there is
every indication at these two locations
| Of good properties, and the coming sum
mer will, we think, prove them to be