The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-03
RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE CAMPS
Neihart Energies From a Deserted
Village to Il Busting Min
ing lamp.
Barker No Laggar in the Scramble
for Wealth-Much Activity in
the Camp.

she. boasts OF area of agricultural and
grazing land larger than the New Eng
land states, New York and Pennsylvania,
although the has greater forests than
Wisconsin and larger coal fields than
Pennsylvania and Ohio, still this fair
young state, the bride of little more than
"a year, pays her most devoted homage at
the shrine of the precious metals. From
the immense chimneys of her large
shelters dense volumes of sulphurous
smoke have been rolling for the past
twelve months while streams of molten
silver, lead and gold have flowed from the
furnaces into the molds below. Promi-
nent authorities assert that the total pro-
duct of precious metals will reach the
sum of $~42,O00,0O0 for the year just past.
In all parts OF the state there has been great
activity in mining circles, but in no re-
gien is the prosperity more noticeable
than in the districts tributary to Great
Falls. The constant work of the Montana
smelter here, the establishment Of the
Boston & Mon tana have designated this
town as the great smelling and reduction
centre Of the world and with the build
ing of the railroad to the Belt mountains
has assured the miners there of cheap
transportation and a good market for
their ores. This has given them re-
newed announcement and as a result
much development work has been done,
Every man who ownes a claim has done
his utmost to show up the ore body and
get ready for the coming of the railroad
to send the product of his claim to 1.-THE
Falls" From 1883 to 1888
were dark days for the miners
in the Belt Mountains. The failure of
the smelters at Barker and Neihart in
1888 threw a cloud over the mineral
prospects of the region which in the year
1890 has been lifted, and the year 1891
will see this overhanging shadow drifted
entirely out of the horizon and the eff
fulgent sunshine of prosperity will flood
the entire Belt mountain region. Du-
ring this dark era many valuable
claims were deserted and very few of
the present owners were the original To-
Gators. This was a time that tried mems
nerve and fortitude, for often the cabin
contained only flour, beans and bacon,
and at one time it is said, that IN Neihart
there was not a candle in the camp for
more than a week. The deserted cabins,
tunnels and shafts which might be seer
in Barker only last August, show the ex-
IRENE distress of the men who had held
out for years, hoping against hope, and
finally we're forced by poverty to leave
the camp OF starve. But this condition
has passed. In all the districts of the
Belt mountains there is not a deserted
cabin. All the old ones have been re-
fitted and many new ones built, and the
morning zephyr of this New Years day
will echo the sound OF many an AK, ham
mer and saw. The awakening is not CON
fined to any particular camp, but is mott.
ceable in all alike.
Neihart is probably more widely
known than any of the other camps,
though she can no longer claim prestige
over her sister-Barker. In July, 1859,
the writer visited this camp and the i'm
preston then received is still vivid on the
memory. Deserted cabins without doors
or windows stared on every hand, the ad-
vent of II stranger was a matter for will
~ WV ulNSoh "ClC
ly deserted and the one general store was
bearing a heavy burden Of "jaw bone"
There is not a vacant house in the town,
many new houses are seen, strangers
come and 60 daily without comment, and
over the counters of four or five finely
appointed stores the credit of the past has
given way to cash. Several saloons are
dong a good business, the Neihart
Herald has made its welcome appearance
and the camp boasts Of the Frisco, one of
the best appointed hotels IN the state.
All these enterprises trace their prosper
ity to the activity in the mines. Early In
the year a bond in the M%oulton, Com
promise and adjoining claims held by
| parties in Great Falls was taken up
and the Diamond K Mining company
organized. This company has expended
thousands of dollars during the year and
have uncovered untold mineral wealth,
but have shipped very little ore. But
they have enough in sight to pay for all
development and return a handsome
profit on the investment and will continue
steadily at work until the iron track is
hid along side their ore house and they
can then ship at greater profit. The
Florence Mining company began work
during the summer and have been push
ing steadily on through granite alongside
the ore shute, at times taking out much
rich ore. The Queen of the Hills Min
ing company is also a strong organization
which is now taking out ore and dong
much to show the permanent character
of the VEINS. All summer the sound of
drill and hammer has been heard In the
tunnels and drifts of the Monarch mine
| aua work is still being pushed steadily.
Among oyber companies which are work
ing large forces of men are the Ingarsoll,
Cornucopia, the |. X. l.. consolidated and
the Benton Group. tss
BARKER.
Barker is making rapid strides for a
spring "boom." Mining men are on the
qui vtve looking after their interests and
preparing for the entrance OF the iron
horse which Is assured with the coming
of spring. The Silver Belle has retim-
bered its tunnel to n of the ore bodies
and they nave six feet Of lead carbonates.
This is decidedly the "top hand" for the
amount of work done, and they are only
fairly under ground. They also ship
larg1 quantities of galena and carbonates
The new hoist on the Paragon il com
pIeted and the ore bunker is ready to re.
ceive ore. Mr.. Clark has built d good
Clendeuln and will o have il com.
pleted to Monarch. When the roac
reaches Monarch 1t will enable the mine
TO double their capacity on ore hat ling.
The Ontario has commenced a tu3ne'
to tar the Manitoba and already IL
have struck lead matter which will es