The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-05-14
REPORT
of Levi Newcomb, M. e. on the Exami-
nation of Mining Properties in
Neihart, Montana
Territory.

Gentlemen On the 25th day OF
March last, Messrs. F. K. Ballou, Geo.
N. March, and myself, reached Neihart,
Montana Territory, via Northern Pacific
railway. This new mining camp is on
tbe east side of Belt creek, and is in the
Belt range of the Rocky Mountains,
Meagher county, Montana Territory
The mines are on the west side of the
range, running north and south. The
veins are large and well defined, in walls
of granite and porphyry. The mineral
zone is very extensive, and has been
prospected over distance of two miles.
and IN no case has the miner failed to
find mineral, ana In paying quantities.
The ore is gray and brown carbonates.
and thoroughly diffused with chlorides
and suIphuretS of silver, and in some
cases so solid and malleable as to admit
of being cut with knife. The veins
pitch to the west at an ang lie Of about 20
degrees, and there has been 10 evidence
of their pinching out. The Massachus-
etts has shaft 100 feet deep. The Mon
tana Belle has shift 50 feet deep. The
St. Julian shaft is down IS feet. In all
the shafts the pay streak has held
very uniform size, gradually increasing
in width and richness, the average as
says being 500 per ton. There are many
other claims from which like record
could be given, but [ will confine N.Y.
self to description of the properties
now owned by the Hudson Mining COM
pany. The mine on which the largest
force is now employed, is the Montana
Chief which is on the summit of th,
range, on the same vein as the Montana
Do1In and tho St TIliap TT hoe o,,o
shaft 80 feet deep, with an ore body II
feet wide, the ore extending down to the |
bottom. This shaft is about Is feet from |
the south end line of the claim. The |
shaft in which the miners are now at |
work is 25 feet deep and is 175 feet north, |
from the south end line. In this shaft |
the ore is very rich in silver. In sinking
to depth oftwenty feet, it has produced
ore as per assay, to the value of about |
$4,000. Samples taken from a sack Of !
$50 lbs, have been assayed and found to
contain value of $8,978.20 per ton. The
whole vein matter is pay ore, and is five
feet wide between the walls. / took sam
pies from the bottom of the shaft, which
assayed as follows; sample No. | cut
across the south end gave $80.33 per ton.
NO.2 from cut across the bottom gave
1921 per ton No. from cut across
the north end gave $110.42 per ton
These assays convince me that this shaft
being in an ore shute, pitching north
in sinking and drifting-will open up
an immense body of ore. The follow
ing claims are now owned by the COM
pany: The Mountain Chief original,
the Mountain Chief No. 2, the Mountain
Chief No. 4, the Caldwell and Barker,
the Combination and the First Location
making six claims, and comprising
5000 feet in length Of the great mineral
zone of this camp. The Combination II
has cut into vein about 8 feet The
vein is feet wide, and assays $49.25 to
the tom. The Mountain Chief No. 2
say on the groupings from $40 to $50 per
ore now on the dump at the Mountain
Chief shaft: one sack Of $50 lbs. shows
by assay value of $500; $500 lbs. assay
81, 100 per ton; s tons assay $3.50 per
ton; 20 tons assay $3.50 per ton; ,15 tonsI
assay $50 per ton; making a total valueII {
OF SlO650. In all my experience I'M
mining camps 7 have seen nothing that
compares with the rich mineral found
at Neihart. The company has secured ,,
by location and development the whole !
water right of Belt, O'Brien and Carr !
penter creeks, which have flow of
water sufficient to run 1000 stamps.t J
The company has also located millE
site of five acres There is a heavy5 {
growth Of timber in the mountains near
% supply the camps with fuel and TIM
DER for at least ten years The company {
laS also secured by location townsite,
lnder the laws of the United States. !
This land is on the border of Belt creek, !
N which mill will be erected, and lots ,
will be sold for building purposes. The :
company owning the water, will be able
Q sell water rights to other parties. I
The company's mines have been secur-
"a by an able expert and assayer, Mr.. Y
John G. <. Barker, who has passed the
winter in the camp, and has devoted his
lme to prospecting, and assaying from
lay to day, the ores from the different t
mines and has succeeded in securing e
ome of the best locations in the camp. i
ne company has secured the services Z
u Mr.. Barker as superintendent and .
Issayer. Mr. #. X. Ballou, a citizen of o
5oston, will remain with Mr.. Barker to 4
sslst in the erection of mill, and de- r
'elopment of the properties. The. COM T
'any can congratulate itself in being the Z
'Wner of such a group of mines, as it is q
'nly once in life time that mines of Fl
uch richness and large ore bodies are
ound The ore is free milling, and
With the great water power will make
aarge saving in the cost of reducing
hem. With the present output Of ores o
~ the time the mill is finished it will n
AVE three months supply to start on p
With. There is to be a railroad built I
rom Helena to Fort Benton, which will n
'ass this camp at a distance of about 20 Il
niles. In conclusion will say that the 81
PRESENT outlook in this camp bids fair to a
ival Leadville and Tombstone. Nei- T