The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-22
NEWS FROM THE MINES.
Everything From Buttes Direction
is of Very Encouraging
Nature.
The Advocates of Park Canyon
Now Have Something to
Back Them
fresh Life to be Infused Into the Opera
tons in the Vicinity of
Champion.


BUTTE, Sept. 21.-TSpecial. The WON
derfully rich discoveries made in the lower
levels of the Lexington have given an i'm
petus to explorations in every direction that
conld possibly shed any light upon the
mineral resources. Directly in this line,
though not started by that same motive
force. are the developments being made in
Park canyon, in the mountains directly
across the valley and east from Butte.
There has always been contest between
the experts regarding Park Canyon, one
claiming that the great leads that have
made Butte may be found there if only
gone after to sufficient depth, while Others
have claimed with equal persistence at
least, that the country rock was too hard
and that copper could not live
there. There have always been a
number of men whose faith in
the Canyon has never wavered
and who have kept up a series of workings
though without any very encouraging re-
turns until recently. The contour of the
country has made the tunnel the readiest
means of prospecting and it has not been
until recently that any we'll advised attempt
at deep work has been made. The Home
stake mine has been the scene of this at
tempt and the report now is that a wonder
fully rich body of ore has been uncovered
upon its lower levels. The proprietors of
the mine are exceedingly reticent about
what they are finding. but one of them ad
mitted to your correspondent that most of
the umors were true. While down only
$50 feet they have uncovered rock which is
good as any yet found in the district.
The copper runs about the same as in the
rock on this side of the valley. while the
silver is found to be much superior both as
to quality and quantity. Of course enough
has not yet been found to fix the standing
of the mines beyond question but the lndi-
cations are more favorable than anything
that has been found for long time.
1t will readily be seen that this discovery,
if it turn out to be backed by the rock.
means a great deal to this camp. II not
only settles anew the deep mining question
in favor of the camp but it means the es-
Enlistment of Il new and hourishing sub
urb only second to the parent. That the
Park canyon people have faith in it is
shown by the fact that everyone of them is
now making preparations for extensive de-
velopments. The Clinton Mining company
has recently bought up all the mines on the
ridge between Park and Horse canyons,
and is now preparing to put in a plant that
would be a credit to any of the great com
panies on the hill. The plan is to sink at
once to the GOO and determine once for all
what the hills contain for the miners and
settle the disputes beyond controversy. Ii
as expected the lodges here are found con-
tinued to the hills beyond the valley there
will be boom in the two canyons over the
way the like of which has not been seen in
this state of late years.
Another encouraging feature of the week
now past has been the search that has been
made for an adequate water supply. This
want has been felt rather more than usual
during the season now nearly past and it
has given rise to renewed investigation in
that direction. The Anaconda company
has had force of men surveying in Elk
park trying to ascertain whether enough
water could be found there to meet their
demands. 1t is understood that the en-
gineers have reported favorably upon this
scheme and that they think water can be
found sufficient not only to supply the
company, but the camp as WELL The Sill
vcr Bow Water company has been doing Il
similar work i'll the OPP. osite direction and
now promises to have German Gulch creek
turned into the city in short order. With
these two sources of supply the danger of a
water famine will be averted for all time
and much costly delay will be avoided.
The Improvements mentioned in The IN
DEPENDENT some time since are being
pushed with all possible speed and all of
them will soon be completed. The Parrot
viii be the first of the great properties to
finish as the NINE is now ready for work
and but two or three days more must elapse
before both mine and mill will be running
full force. The Blue Bird is also increas-
inf its working force az rapidly as room can
be found for them and the coming week
will see both mine and mill running to their
full capacity.
The Gagnon perhaps undertook more
than either of the others and it is now fur
ther from the end of the attendant labors,
The work of raising third compartment
to the shaft from the GOO to the surface will
be completed during the coming week. one
of the fastest jobs in the history of the
camp. As soon as that has been completed
work will be commenced upon tho large
station at the 1,0OO-foot level. This is to
contain the new pump, which was shipped
from New York on the 18th, and is to be
capacity of throwing $50 gallons pei
minute in one lift of 1000 feet. The foun
dation for the new engine is pretty well
along, and it is thought the old mine vii
be ready for the new work by December /.
The Clear Grit is another of the old time
properties that is being brought to tn,
front by the increase in the price of copper
and silver. When reopened a few weeks
since it was full of water, but the shaft is
now dry and the work of sinking will COM
mence Monday. 1t will not be long unit
this mine has again resumed its plac,
among the producers of the camp. Tn,
same could be said of the Star West and
number of others that are being reclaimed
IN all portions of the district. In short, the
camp Is but Just starting in upon new err
of prosperity such as it has never known
and the signs are 10 be seen on every hand