The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-29
WHAT a Helena Man Has to Say About
the Castle Mountain
Mines.
The Copper Belle and Hiawatha
Shipping Carloads of
Ore.
About the Iron Mountain - Reports of
Late Developments on the Penn
Yam and Blue Bird.

Montana during the past few years not one
gives as great promise of permanent pros
perity as Castle, whose mines are rapidly
acquiring wide reputation and attracting
men by the hundred from all over the coun-
try, says MIR. W. H. Little, who returned
from the new carbonate camp yesterday.
strong delegation there. and the west in
general is we'll represented, while Chicago,
New York, St. Louis and Denver often ap-
pear on the registers. The hustle and ac-
tlylty of the camp are incessant, and each
incoming stage is loaded to its utmost Ca
pacity while those going out carry as rule
only empty beer kegs.
One interesting feature of Castle is that
IL Is distinctly poor mans camp and no
monopolist or corporation has any hold
there at all. as townsite, mines and smelter
are owned by men of comparatively small
means,
Since the rich strike in the 500 foot level
OF the Cumberland (the deepest workings
IN the camp) every one has taken fresh
courage, and work on a multitude of unde-
veloped prospects is being pushed with re-
newed energy, and in every instance where
much has been done the rewards have been
greater than the most sanguine had hoped.
uo O"IclS Oh lue NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
which and the Cumberland there is only a
traction of claim-are feeling iubilant.
and treasury stock has advanced to one
dollar and private stock cannot be had at
any price.
But just now the wiseacres of the camp
are busy locating the railroad, while the
Northery Pacific has three surveying par
ties in the field on the same business.
DAILY the engineers in charge are sub.
mitted to severe cross-examinations, but so
Tar the results of their Investigations have
not been entirely satisfactory, and yet with
out railroad, telegraph or telephone Castle
is making mighty strides to the front and
Will boom because of her great merit.
W. G. Buskett and j. Il. Risque, the lat
ter general manager of the Ri Metallic, were
out visiting the Penn Yam and Blue Bird
mines III Jefferson county and are highly
elated over the showing the properties are
making. They have the main shaft now
down 700 feet and are running a drift
across the Blue Bird and into the Penn
Yam. deveveloping both at the same time.
An eight-inch vein of rich ore was recently
encountered while drifting. A cross-cut
from the shaft is now in fifteen feet. and in
ten feet more the lead will be tapped, when
1t is confidently expected rich strike will
be made. Mr.. Risque is more than pleased
with the showing.
Major Humbrook came to town last night,
having just been out to the Hiawatha mine.
and took great pride in showing party of
mining men who were at the Cosmopolitan
some specimens of ore that were truly
dazzling. "That," said the major picking
up piece of ore. lis some of the kind that
went $1,000 to the ton," and he showed a
specimen of rock that was fairly covered
IylIth thn v1HSA nA.,I ~ H.,
scraped off in chunks. The Hiawatha is
one of the coming mines of the Cataract
district. A car load of twenty-five tons has
just been shipped.
The second carload from the Copp er
Belle was received yesterday. This is an
other coming property of the Cataract dis
trict The property has been systemati-
cally and intelligently developed, and min
ing men who have visited it pronounce the
Copper Belle the best worked mine in the
state for the amount Of money expended up
on it, which reflects great credit upon the
ability Of Superintendent Price. Since last
December shaft has been put down 12O
feet and levels run to the extent of 40.
Two carloads of ore have been extracted
pound of ore has yet been stopped. The
Copper Belle ore nets about 1890 per car.
About July 10 another car will be shipped.
A meeting of the directors of the o. r. g.
N. was held few days ago, at which it was
decided not to sink any further for the
present. Operations will now be confined
to exploration in the levels east and west,
A wagon road was ordered to be built and
when this is completed the o. r. q N. will
be on the list of regular producers.
Reports from the Ben kimber mine are
very encouraging. An assay of ore was
made yesterday which gave returns of $50
in gold and silver and 40 per cent. lead.
The lead is improving right along as the
tunnel progresses. both in richness and
extent. Shipments of ore will begin in
short time This mine is situated in the
Hazleton district, which is proving one of
the best in the state.
Arthur o Brien is running tunnel at the |
upper end of Rodney street for the purpose
of prospecting several leads that are known
to exist there. He believes there is a great
lead vein running through the south part of |
iowa from Mt Helena across the country
| for a distance of three or four miles. The |
surface croppings prospect we'll. and if the |
lead improves with depth it may prove to
| be good one.