New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-05
ARuoNas BULLION PRODuCE


The increase in the development OF Arlzonas
mineral riches, as shown by the production tor
the last year, approaches the extraordinary.
1t is not SO many years ago that Arizona was
looked upon as LAND of deserts, yawDing
cafOns and barren mountains, rich CHIEFLY In
cach and Apaches, who interfered with the
working of the few mines that were known
Humboldts prophecy that the wealth of the
world would be found in Arizona and New
Mexico seemed the dream of visionary, until
the events OF the last ten, and especially the last
five years. showed the possibility of its fulfil
ment. Naturally the most rapid growth or the
mining and other industries OF Arizona dates
from the completion OF the Southern Pacific
Railroad across the Territory. Without directly
reaching any mining camps, the railroad gave
facilities for travel and transportation which
were a vast advance upon the old emigrants
wagon and mule and ox-teams. The discov-
eres Mt Tombstone made that the leading
mining centre of the territory, although, curl
ously enough, the town is not yet touched by
any railroad. Every yeai of the last five has
marked significant growth, but the year of
1882 is noteworthy as bringing Arizona into
a flattering prominence.
From the statistics of the bullion output
collected by journals of the Territory, it appears
likely that Arizona will rank third among the
States and Teri itOres in the production of gold,
silver, copper and lead The hills among
which "Edn Scheifeln was warned he would
find his tombstone" have in 1882 risen to
position second only 10 LeadvIlle as a centre of
silver production. The figures given for the
product of the Tombstone district in silver and
gold during the year are $5,2O2,876 The
yield of the Silver King and other districts
amounts to $2,O54.I33, which With other esti-
mated products makes the value of the silver
and gold produced IS, $4,000. The value OF
the copper bullion turned out was 50, 945,2S4
The total production of silver, gold and copper
in Arizona during 1882, therefore, amounts to
$11 ,7O2, 293.
These figures are taken from. estimates
evidently prepared with care, and there seems no
reason to doubt their being approximately COZ
rect. This showing is remarkable one when
VIC consider the short time since Arizona mines
began to DO extensively developed, and the
numerous obstacles that have been thrown
in the way of such developments by hos
tile Apaches. Ii may be expected that the bull
lion product of Arizona will increase on ac-
count OF the large sections of comparatively
unexpored mineral lands. Thus far the Terri
tory appears to be u country Of SMALL mines.
At Tombstone a peculiar series of blanket
deposits is found in the lime formation, and
mine relying uPOn deposits even when they are
digniied with tue name of mineraized zones"
seldom yields for ge1S long time. Some of
the Tombstone mines are already practically
exhausted, ~ is the case with mines on Fryer
Hill at Leadyile, but new mines are continu
ally being opened up, and the total OUTPUT of
the district Is likely to show an increase rather
than falling of. Arizonas mineral develop
ment has fairly begun and in the future she
will contend with Colorado and New Mexico
for the leading place In the list of bullion pro-
ducing States and territories.