The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-12-17
A. Lead Which Produces the Richest
Ore Found in the Barker
District.
DESERTED CLAIM NOW WORTH 100000
An Immense Fortune Amid Surround
ings of Great Scenic Beauty
Awaiting the Miners
Pick.
The Value of a Practical knowledge
Of Metallurgy Clearly
Shown.

BARKER. Mont, Dec, ~, 1S90.-Perch-
ed upon the steep mountain side, just be-
low the summit o. Spruce mountain, lie
the properties of the Ontario Gold and
Silver Mining Co. The situation over
looks the entire camps of Barker and
Hughesvllle, and commands a fine view,
both up and down Belt creek. On all
sides, rise, at a distance, the rolling
heights of the Belt mountains, their
sides clothed with forests of spruce, pine
and fir, the scene from the shaft house
being n of grand and surprising beau
ty. But the scenic grandeur OF the region
attracts the attention of the miners very
little, their attention being turned to the
golden treasures which are buried deep
in the mountains heart.
Early In 1882 Marshall Seacott, Gus
Damn and Bill Doak, while prospecting
fer galena, made IL location on the pres
ent Lead. They worked it some, finding
u well defined lead, containing a very lit
tie galena and considerable black or dark
matter, which they threw over the dump.
Being improbable At that time they de-
serted the claim aid it renamed vacant
for over three years, when it was re-lo-
Gated by James Hodson. He did barely
enough work to hold the claim when he
sold a one-half interest to G. W. Riggs
for an old mule. He afterwards sold
the other half to L. j. Barker,
popularity known as "Jencks" for $500,
the sale being made "unsight and un-
seem" 1t is said that "Jencks," who is a
practical metalurgist, afterwards went to
tie claim TO do the representation and ii,
once saw its value. He said nothing,
however, but made n proposition to Riggs
to buy his half interest which was eager
iy accepted, the sum paid being $500. As
soon It's he had obtained control Mr..
Barker, with ~commendable enterprise and
remarkable business sagacity, immediate
ly proceeded to incorporate a company to
develope the property. In doing this he
wisely selected such conservative men as
A. E. Fuller, Ben. d. Gardner, Mr.. Davis,
MI. Patterson and Carter Barker and in
corporated under the name of the Ontario
Gold and Silver Mining company with
offices at White Sulphur Springs. The
company is stocked at 100000 shares of
$40 each. A. E. Fuller is president, Ben.
d. Gardner secretary and +. ]. Barker
manager.
1t is due Jencks Barker to say that this
is the first claim in this mining district
in which ore carrying sulphurets of silver
has been discovered and that he was the
first to recognize its value. The claim
Cost the present owners ii comparatively
small sum and today it could not be
bought for 100000 cash. Assays of the
ore have been frequently made and it has
been found to carry an average of over
800 ounces of silver to the ton.
The path to the shaft house is steep
and when covered with snow the ascent
is very difficult. Only those of long
wind and strong limbs should make the
atte mpt. Yesterday l made the trip, and
although the buildings are in plain view
from the hotel, it took an hour, including
several resting spells to reach the shaft.
Here l presented a letter of introduction
with instructions to Mr.. Brown, the gen
tlemanly foreman, who proceeded tC
show me every courtesy in his power.
Mr.. Brown has spent sixteen years in
mining in various portions of the west,
much of the time being in ore of this
character in Nevada, and is certainly we'll
qualified for the responsible position
which he holds.
The lead dips to the east at the rate of
about II feet in 100. or Is degrees, and is
from four and a halt to five and Il half
feet wide from the top to the bottom of
the so foot shaft. For the first Is feet
the hanging wall is somewhat loose and
tagging has been put in, but below
this depth the hang wall is solid
granite. The foot wall is solid from the
surface down, and no timbers, except
those necessary for ladders and hosting
purposes have been used. But the
amount and character of the ore is the
most interesting feature. At the surface
the assays were good; ut 20 feet they run
much higher, and the pay streak had
widened. Near the surface the pay ore
was found in two streaks, one next the
foot wall, tie other next the hanging
wall. THESE continue to the bottom of
of the shaft. A close examination yester-
day revealed the facts that at five feet
from the bottom of the shaftthe ore streak
next the foot wall was about 10 inches
wide, while at the bottom it had widened
to 20 inches. This ore contains black
sulphuret and chloride of silver, and in
many specimens native leaf silver is yisi-
BILE to tle naked eye. The ore streak
next the hanging wall is about six inches
wide and contains red quartz, sulphurets
and tale. Between these W veins of
pay ore the matter Is quartz, of various
colors, red and white predominating.
Near the surface the ledge contained very
little mineral, but neal the bottom of the
shaft it is largely mixed with s%ulphurets
and an occasional speck of brittle silver
is seen, and it is probable that with a few
feet greater depth the entire lead will
run into pay ore. Mr.. Brown informed
me that the men were taking out an aver
age of a ton and a half of ore daily in sink
ing,and if drifts were run and slipping COM
menced this output would be increased.
lie is the lucky owner Of 1000 shares of
stock which he would not sell at 40 cents
and would be most happy to get hold of
some more of it. At present there are
about so tons of second grade ore on the
dump and about seven tons of tirst-class
ore have been sacked for shipment. The