The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-31
OUR BARKER LETTER,
The Paragon Mining Company Critized-
Other Notes.


Other Notes.
Especial Correspondent, of the TRIBUNE.
BARKER, Mont, Jan, 21,-Since the
Little Giant smelrer started up in October
and made q successful run, Barker has
enjoyed greater prosperity than at any
time for six years, but just now to those
who dc not look lnto the future, there
seems 10 be a cloud hanging over the
camp. This overhanging shadow is
thick only to the short sighted, however,
and will soon be scattered 10y the efful-
g"nre of a greater prosperity than the
camp has ever known. The cause for
histemporary depression is the shut down
of the Paragon Mining company on the
Top Hand and Paragon mines and the
Silver Bell, and as q result a number of
men are thrown ont of employment. A
variety of causes undoubtedly led to this
action on the part of the company, and
before the outside world shall pass
Judgment these causes shall be
known. uader their arrangement
1t is evident that they could no longer
continue the work with profit. Excessive
freight rates had much to do with the
shut down, but it is reported that the
company claims that there is no more ore
in the mines. This is denied by parties
who have visited both claims. The mis-
tory of the operations of this company
for the past six years will cause inteili-
gent mining men to base very little on
their actions. They are said to be mine
robbers rather than practical miners. AT
Maiden it is said they took outall the ore
in sight in the Spotted Horse then threw
up the bond. The owner then went to
work aud within three months had shown
that the mine was better than ever before
and the shipments of gold prove it.
AT Pony and Jay Gould it is said that
they simply took out what ore was IN
sight and then left. Pony is today q
flourishlng mining camp and is produc-
ing plenty of rich ore. Their
actions at Barker have been
in accord with the company's past his
tory. Little doubt is felt in this camp
that a very little development work will
show both the Paragon and Top-hand to
be valuable properties. Every evil, how
has its corresponding good and
while it seems that this company have
tried to give Barker a black eye, through
their influence one of the best mountain
roads in the state has been built from
Monarch to the camps. The company as
is usual in such cases are not the losers
thereby, but have 50 managed as to throw
the loss on Clark " HUMPHREYS who
to haul the ore. These gen.
tlemen have done their work thoroughly
and the commissioners of Meagher should
r%ecompense them in part at least for their
expense in placing the road in such good
condition.
Following the ews of the shut down
by the Paragon company it Is gratifying
to that work will shortly be
commenced on the same properties by a
company that is not afraid to spend a few
dollars on development work.
The old Clendenin smelter will also be
started up in a short time, and will run
on some of the free smelling ores of the
camp. Workmen are already in Great
Falls purchasing material necessary for
repairs and as soon as the furnaces can
be put in proper condition the fires will
be started. This announcement is made
on authority that is nnquestionable.
During the past week orders were re-
ceived here from the owners of the
Wright and Edwards to prepare to re-
open this rich mine and place it in CON
dition to produce ore.
The Ontario Mining company is stead.
lily pushing development, and is taking
out soIne very rich sulphuret ore. Two
drifts have been started from the 50-foot
level, both on the lead. Another shaft is
being sunk on the lead which shows a a.
inch vein OF almost solid sulphuret ore.
An expert who visited this mine during
the week pronounces it the most promis-
Ing property he ever saw.
Messrs. Wilson, Northam & Burrell
have resumed work on the Wyandott, and
are running a tunnel from the 75-foot
level dlouS lHe loot WALL. OlldlI DOuleS
of ore only have been encountered so
far, but the showing is very good.
The Liberty is looking better every
day, the ore at go feet is much richer
than any that has yet been taken OUT.
Water has commenced to interfere with
sinking and the company propose to go
down the mountain side and run a tunnel
which will tap the lead at IA greater
Work is being steadily pushed in the
Barker, May " Edna, T. w., ,Blackhawk.
Daisy and some others.
Building is progressing rapidly. J. F.
Henzlik's large store room is almost
completed. j. H. Williams who arrived
from St. Louis last week with a large
stock of general merchandise, has let the
contract for a one story frame store room
20x36, to be finished within three weeks.
j. W. Footner, manager of the Great
Northern express business, D. r. Smith
and Mr.. Warren of st. Paul, were in town
last week. They said that the railroad
would certainly reach Bsrker by June.
Prof. o. G. Morrison spent several days
in the camp examining properties for
various parties. ~
Moody Losing.
PIERRE, Jan, 29,--TOday's ballot for