The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-01
The Thrifty Chinese to Work Old
Diggings on Silver Bow
Creek. 9
Reclaiming Two Abandoned Silver
Mines Once TOO Expensive
to Work.
The Elm Orlu in Beaverhead-A isody OF
High Grade Ore in the
Meteor.

reneatinp itself in this camp, and IN
manner little expected. 1T mas been the al
most universal history of all great placer
comrs to have the Chinese come IN after
the whites had finished and work over their
,eavings ut a profit The irrepressible
celestial is beginningto arrange 1or SINH
lar descent upon the placer workings along
Silver Bow creek and expect to be ready to
commence operations in the very near
futnre. All who are at all familiar with
tha history of early days of Montana will
ramenober the rush to Silver Bow and the
adjacent country in CA and the following
xears Tn ,G4 this was one of the most pros
nerous camps in the country, the creek
he;no located for almost its entire length
and the ground being worked on all sides,
eome at such distance that 1t had to De
hauled to water in wagons. Most OF the
ground was sliced out in most primitive
manner, and while an immense amount OF
cold WINS taken out there can be no doubt
Of enoupb being left to make pay dirt for
the thrifty and economical chinese. Ihey
have recently put force OF men TO WORK
upon the old bitches and hope to have them
as good as new BY the coming of spring.
Then as soon as the frost is out they will
commence doing over the work done with
such rich returns but few years since.
These foreign capitalists are amply sup
piled with means and will make their new
undertaking profitable if the necessary
wealth has been left in the ground.
The work of retaining the old Clear
Grit mine is progressing as rapidly as could
be wished and few days moro will settle
the future of the mine for good or i'll. This
property is situated upon the divide be-
tween the copper and silver belts and was
at enc time among the best paving proper
ties in the camp. The low price of silver
combined with a veritable flood of water,
which came in upon the lower level, con-
epired to cause its closing down. The
recent rise in silver gave Its owners hope
and they not only pumped out the water,
but, without waiting to take out any orc at
once, began to sink the shaft. This shaft
has been sunk on an incline parallel with
the foot wall and is now down 425 feet. At
this point the cross cutting has commenced
for the ledge and. as it can be but few
feet away, may be struck any day. AL
though the quality of the rock found ut
this depth will not definitely settle what
may be expected of this property. it will
give pretty good indication of what fur
Their sinking will develop. The character of
the rock above would warrant tho owners
in expecting veritabie bonanza at this
depth.
The Star West is another of the mines re-
claimed when silver first began to go up.
This was ono of the rich mines of the camp
in early DAYS, when silver was the only
metal sought. 1t continued to pay even
under the heavy expenses attached to trans
portation and reduction at that time until
water was reached, and this SO added to the
cost of production that the mine was shut
down. 1t has now been reftted and will
soon be in READINGS to resume production.
There can be no doubt as to the richness of
the ore awaiting its owners below water
level and they will soon begin to reap rich
harvest from their enterprise.
The Maud S., situated about four miles
from the city and upon the west side of the
main range of the Rockies. is attracting a
great deal of attention. In it are found
two distinct lodges. one bearing gold an
other silver, and both have produced some
mems brought in have been the chief means
of arousing the interest felt in this prop
erty. A tunnel is now being run in on the
silver ledge, and if reports can be believed
the showing grows better every day. It is
the purpose of the management to CrOBScut
to the parallel lead bearing gold in few
days and the result of this departure will
doubtless be felt by those interested in the
mine, though there can be little doubt of
its complete success John Leslie, of Emf
grant Gap, an old and experienced Califor-
MIA miner, was the discoyerer of this mine,
and has never lost faith in it. His brother
is interested with him. and together they
will keep force of men busy during the
winter upon DEVELOPMENT work.