The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-05-09
by the Standards Special Wire.

LUTTE May She gratifying iltclli'
gcncc was given out today that thcA Ana
conda and ST. Lawrence mines AVE been
opened, that the fire is uDqucstionably
entirely out, and that the condition Of the
mines is far better than the most sanguinc
could have expected. The mines were
opened last Sunday, but that fact was
kept as quiet as possible owing TO the de-
sire of those in charge to make certain
that the fire was out, there having been
previously two or three disappointmcnts
on occasions when the mines were
opened. When first opened n
scarcely perceptiblc steam issued,
probably owing To the meeting of
the air of the mines with the outer air.
Soon this had disappeared and every
out. Since that time men have been en-
gagged in exploring every part Of the
mines above water, In order To make as
surancc doubly sure. The water was
found to ave risen within 10 feet OF the
600 foot level in the Anaconda and the
same distance from the 400 level in the
81. Lawrence. Above these points every
level on both sides has been thoroughly
explored with most gratifying results
Not only was no fire discovered, but
il was learned that the damage by
fire and water has been trifling, compared
WITH wnht nilu DtcI tNpttuD. ItSsllIlistS
last fall predicted that the Anaconda
company would find il necessary To aban-
don the mines and sink new shafts; that
the mines would be utterly ruined. But
the result has admirably proven the excel
lence Of Superintendent CarrolTs judg-
mcnt. The magnificent Anaconda mine
is in as fine condition. perhaps, as ii ever
was. There has never been any fire in
that mine and "a thorough exploration has
shown that there have beer no caves.
Orc can he hoisted from the upper levels
Of the Anaconda tomorrow, and this will
probably he done in a few days. As Ia
the -. Lawrence, where the fire actually
was, the damage is trifling I'm comparison
with what might be reasonably expected.
The only cavc-in is on the 5O0-foot level
and that is of small Importance. Burned
timbcrs must OF course he replaced, but
Superintendent Carroll gave il as his opin.
ion that the sum of 5000 would repair
the damage and place both mines in as
good condition as they wcrs, on the morn
ing of November y, when the fire broke
out between q and Z o'clock in the morn
ing. OF course the loss la the company
by the closing of the mines during the
past five and a half months cannot he
easily calculated, hut thcd direct loss, IL is
believed can he covered by the sum men.
toned. IL is about two months since the
pouring OF water into the great
mines began. The water was
not turned down the shafts
but was directed chiefly To the 2OO-ioot
level of the ~. Lawrence by the north
shaft, spreading itself from this point,
The process was most successful, cx.
tin%guishing "A fire which might have
burned for years.
To-day men have beer busy rigging
pumps for the purpose Of pumping on
the water which has been turned in a
steady stream for weeks. The pumping
began at 10 o'clock tonight.
Marcus DAILY visited the mines AT an
early hour this morning aud was greatly
pleased al the situation. Superintendent
Carroll this afternoon expressed the
utmost satisfaction. He believed that
within forty days the water would he all
out, the damage repaired and work pro-
ceeding as il was before the fire.