The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1885-09-19
SEEN IN COOKE
During Brief Visit to the Chief Mining
Camp of Gallatin County.

\ week Frank ESler began ShOvellng ore
. into what is known as the old smelter
at Cooke-the furnace built over ten
years ago by the Eastern Montana Min
ing Il Smelling Company. A fairly
successful run was made in their fur
mace shortly after its completion but
since that time all attempts to operate
it seem to have been partial or complete
failures. Mr.. Esler's operations were
f therefore watched with much interest,
not to say anxiety, and non-success was
, freely predicted. But for once the croak.
ers were disappointed. The furnace did
its work perfectly. In sixty hours 100
tons of ore were smelted and % tons of
bullion drawn off, until, the supply of
ore in the building having been exhaust
ed and it being considered that the lining
of the furnace needed renewal the, fire
was allowed to cool. The ore camo
from Mr.. Esler's Street mine-a very
promising property-and though it
/ smelted freely was of comparatively
low grade. At our last advices from
Cooke the bullion had not been assayed
but no doubt was entertained but that
it was worth $50 to $50 and perhaps
500 per ton in silver, while the lead
which makes up the bulk will pay
nice margin for shipping. During the
run the smelter was in charge of j. N.
Schoolbred, gentleman well known in
Livingston, and Mr.. Esler gave his per-
sonal attention to the work great part
of the time. In few days another run
will be made on higher grade ore from
some Of Mr.. Esler's other mines which
he is developing. This will be continue
ed throughout the autumn and 1t is
probable that when the cold weather
freezes up the water power an engine
will be put in and work continued dur
ing the winter. Mr.. Esler's operations
will be of incalculable benefit to the
camp and his bullion shipments will be
proper adjunct to the rich ore now
being sent out Of the camp.
Work on the Homestake is just now
suspended. The bond on the property
has expired and negotiations now being
carried on by the owners of the property
have so far failed to reach focus.
Two carloads of splendid ore have been
sacked ready for shipment and part of
it is now at Cinnabar.
NJ. Nj. Black and w. II. Randall. with
force OF men are working vigorously
on the Black Warrior which is one of
the best developed leads in the district
and presents as fine showing for the
work done as can be found in any camp.
They know they have bonanza and
show no desire to part with it on any
terms at this stage of it's development.
It was the dream of John Stevens that
the Black Warrior and the Yellow
Jacket that enters Crown Butte at an
angle of about 100 degrees with the
former united in the butte and formed
an immense ore body. And he may
have been right.
George Fishers Elkhorn is the mine
from which Black & Gassert are now
making shipments to omaha. 1t is said
to be fine looking property.
Elias Sperling of Bozeman was at
Cooke all summer until Friday last de-
veloping his Estelle lode and was re-
warded by making rich strike.
Harry Gassert who owns the Morning
Star and is interested in other property
in the district and in the town of Cooke
is freely reported to be arranging for
putting both concentration and
smelter in the camp. His movements
inspire great confidence in the minds of
those who, from inexperience, are un-
able to accurately Judge the character
of the mineral district. His life has
been spent in mining. He sold for q
large sum the Bluebird at Butte which
now shows $3,50O,OOO of ore in sight and
has sold other mines that developed as
fortunately for their purchasers. While
he is quiet man and reticent on busi-
ness subjects the feeling is that he
knows good thing in mines when he
sees it and that he is not making invest
ments in the Clarke's Fork district on
mere venture-that he is not "gOing it
blind"
Ore is being shipped from the Little
Daisy and from other leads not men
ioned above but not on very extern
i've scale.
These observations were made during
! brief visit at Cooke and briefer ride
lmong the mines taken in disagreea-
lie storm. To see the whole district
would take weeks and to give any de-
allied account of it would take more
pace in our columns than could be de-
'oted to the purpose. The work done
his summer in the development of the
istrict has been very much greater than
yer before; we believe it safe to say
hat it will exceed what has been done
I all the previous years since it was first
respected. Cooke itself is beautifully
ituated and though little rough in
utward appearance is very comforta-
le and pleasant camp. Its residents
eight to welcome visitors and to show
lem what surrounds the town and in.
Tres its future; they are all firm in
leir faith in the camp and the district
ut they feel as we do that the best ar