The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-22
GENERAL MINING NEWS.
9hs Upward Tendency Of the White
and Red Metals Of Great Bene-
ct to Butte.
Rich Discovery In a Well Known
Old Time Butte
Mine.

EAesst News From Castle Mountain-Great
Activity in tho Famous Ceur
d'Alene Region.
BuTrE, July 2.-[Special. THE sensa-
Gon Of the week in this camp has been the
steady advance in silver, which has given
new spirit to every line Of trade. Copper,
also, has maintained its elevated position
Of the past week and has contributed its
full share to the general prosperity. It
would be difficult to imagine anything more
favorable for the growth and advancement
of the camp than has been the commanding
position of these two metals during the
seven days now passed.
Considerable anxiety has been felt both
at this place and Anaconda over the i'm
pending trouble between the Montana
Union road and the Anaconda Mining COM
pany. The Union claims that their present
rate for handling ore between this place
and the Smelter city was made when cop
per was worth only Scents, and with the un-
Outstanding that the rate should be
advanced with the price of the red metal.
Also that they have been operating at an
actual loss under the present conditions,
and they cannot afford to continue in the
old rut. They do not ask for an advance in
freight rates at the present time, but claim
that the Anaconda company should pay the
expense attached to switching their ore
cars in their yards. On the other hand the
Anaconda people claim that the rate they
nav is large enough for ample profit and
that the Union, if losing at all, must be
losing from a too low pro-rata with the
Union and Northern Pacific. Both held
firm to their demands from the first, and
the Union opened the war by refusing to
deliver ore cars at the smelters. But hap
PLY a truce of thirty days has been de-
clared and the great smelling works will
not close down. It is hoped that the differ
ences will be amicably adjusted before the
expiration of that time.
retaining of valuable property, brought
about by the rise in silver, is to be found in
the Vulcan. This mine became flooded
some years since, and as it was upon low
ground and favorably located for draining
all the surrounding shafts it was deserted.
A company of eastern men recently con-
ceived the idea that the old mine could be
made to pay under present conditions, and
they accordingly commenced operations by
putting in one of the finest pumps ever seen
In the camp. They had expended $4,000
hard cash when the water was down suffl-
ciently to allow the men in the levels.
They at once commenced drifting on the
lead and and now have exposed 100 feet of
ore that samples 476 ounces of silver and
$50 in gold to the ton. The management
did not appreciate the true value of this
rock until very recently, when it was tested
with the results as given before. Their
first carload was shipped to Omaha yester-
il certainly one instance where pluck has
brought its own reward.
Another and very similar attempt at the
redemption of q deserted property will soon
be made upon the Star West A fve-year
lease has been secured npon this property
by two Denver capitalists, and they propose
to go about the task before them in bust
ness-like name. Work has already com.
menced upon a new hoist with large boiler
rooms and carpenter shop attached. Two
new 6O-horse power boilers will be added to
the present plant, and everything about
the mine will be the best that can be had.
The shaft is now down go feet, and as soon
will be continued to the 400, where it is ex-
pected the shaft will cut the vein. The
work of developing will then commence in
earnest, and it will not be long until
another active and rich and active will be
added to the camp.
richest find in the history of that camp has
recently been made in the Silver Grown. A
crosscut run from the 100 struck the lead,
opening up one of the finest bodies of ore
ever exposed in that portion of the state.
This has 80 encouraged the management
that preparations are now being made for
the erection OF a fine steam hoist and for
putting in plant in every way equal to the
task Of developing the full possibilities of
this property. The stock will be made as
sessable az soon as the necessary prelimin-
aries can be gone through and the means
raised to assure the successful carrying out
Of their plans.
Another mine from which comes none but
favorable reports is the Hiawatha. The
new shaft is now down between fifty and
sixty feet and it will be pushed on without
cessation to the 225. At this point the work
Of DEVELOPMENT will be commenced in earn
est and upon scale in full keeping with
the provisions held forth by the work
already done. force of men are kept
constantly taking ore from the old shaft,
and the rock taken out has been of such
high grade that it has paid all the expenses
company handsome reserve fund to be
used in the purchase of suitable machinery.
The development of the Milwaukee is pro.
greessing nicely though no returns can be
made from it for some time to come. Its
owners still have every faith in its future
and the showings already made certainly
give them ample ground for their faith.
From Castle Mountain District.
Rocky Mountain Husbandman: Devel.
opment in the mines at Castle is progress
ing quietly but steadily. More than twenty