Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-07

The Mining Region of Bear Mountain,
Ark.-The Mines and Their Owners.


Ark.-The Mines and Their Owners.
Feeling curious to know how far the re-
ports OF the richness of this locality were
true, says Bear Mountain Ark. special
to the New Orleans Times Democrat, |
mounted the mule stage which plies be-
tween here and Hot Springs and soon
found myself humping along over the if
teen miles of rocky mountain road, which
leads due westward TO this camp. About
four hours brought the infant mining town
in sight-a mere handful OF scattered
cabins, situated in a narrow valley, with
Bear Mountain itself. some three miles
away, looming up as a background. 80
far very little has been done outside Of
prospecting, but already over half dozen
line true assure veins have been discov-
cred, and, although only one shaft is down
over twenty feet, the ASSAYS have shown
from $50 to 81 800 per ton. This is tine
showing when it is considered that $40
per ton will pay every expense. The prin-
cipal lodes so far opened up are the Long
fellow, the COmstock, Black Diamond,
Star-Eagle and Balmoral. Ore from the
Black Diamond is now going through the
mill. Last Tuesday the KIrham Brothers,
who are at work on the LOngfellow lode,
at nine feet down took out ore which as
says 500 to the ton, and it still grows
richer. From the very surface this claim
has been assaying $40 to the ton, and at
nine feet down native silver was picked
from the ore in pieces as large as bullets.
Frank Spira, one of the old-timers, has
taken out ore from almost the surface,
from which nuggets can also be picked.
On Thursday a new excitement struck
the camp. A man named Wilson Jones,
who had been at work fifteen miles south
west Of here, came in with about So of
gold dust, which he claimed to have
washed out of few pans of dirt. The re-
port Of placer find soon spread, and pros
pectOrs Immediately left the camp to
seek for this new and promising field. If
they should strike it at all rich, and the
existence of a V@itable placer be sub
stantiated, rush will take place toward
the new region, and outsiders will soon
arrive to swell the stream. But, be the
latter as it may, the fact that this whole
region is rich in gold and silver has now
been demonstrated, and work will soon
be vigorously carried on. So far only one
quart-crusher is at work, but others will
soon be on the ground, for capital, which
has hitherto been shy, is now taking hold,
and begins to feel that this is a good field
for investment. Those capitalists who are
already interested here are Mai. Gore, a
New York capitalist; ex-senator Hay
cock, of Arkansas; Col. Roots, a Million
are banker of Little Rock; a New York
syndicate, represented by a.Mr. Alexan-
der; Maj. Filkins, an old mining specula-
tor; the Bear Mountain Mining Company,
and others.
1t is now only question of a little time
when this will be thriving mining Gen.
ire, for it has all the natural advantages,
together with the precious metals. Its
climate is fine and bracing, its forests
the business world, while living is cheap,
and work can be prosecuted all the year
round. All these things cannot help but
combine to build up stirring enterprise
in this region, now that 1t has received
the entering wedge.