Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-07-25
BUNKER HILL,
A Rich and Promising Min
ing District.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME
Of the Mines and Work Being
Done.
summer Climate.-Health,
Wealth and Pleasure to be Found
In tho Galura's.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME

hAmmOLn IN the Galura range Oh NOUN
tains, Pinal Co.. is mineral belt, called
the Bunker Hill mining district. The
first important discoveries were made
by Messrs. Clark, Seaman and Delhi il
1889, at which time the district wal
given Its popular name. At this date
there seemed to have been 30 far 81
known, very little prospecting OF the
region since the occupation OF the coun'
try by the Americans, but, nevertheless
there is to be seen in one or more
places signs of mining having been
done at some more remote period.
Having been informed that greater
efforts were now being put forth 20 de.
velop the mines of the district than ever
before, on my arrival at Mammoth
/ concluded to accept the kind
offer of j. Chriss johnson to accompany
him and Mrs. johnson who were On
route to that district. We travelled
about eight miles Of the distance by
wagon up canyon, most of the way
in q Egrsvelly dry creek bed, and the
weather being extremely warm, made
the journey somewhat tedious. Having
finally gone up the canyon az far as
wagons could be taken, we dismounted
at what Bunker Hill miners call Burro
Landing. Here, after having fixed up a
sunshgde with blankets, using cactu
stocks for corner posts, we dug up some
canned goods, loaf of bread, elaret and
other nick nacks, and enjoyed a hearty
out door repast. Toward evening the
heat moderated and our party mounted
burros provided for the occasion 10 as
cend the mountain five miles farther to
reach the Blue Bird mine, which is
owned by Messrs. johnson, Reynolds
aud Cronin. In the distance thus far
Travelled, the predominating vegetation
seemed to be cactus, with moro or less
scattering grass, but now the character
istics began to change. We, 50 to speak,
were rising above the cacti, and COM
paratively barren bills, and had COM
menced to climb steep mountain spurs.
covered with luxurant growth of wild
grass. Gradually we assembled till We
had reached the oak timber line, balmy
mountain breeze was stirring, and for
the first time on the trip l began to
realize that l was nearing the enchanted
borders of boosted "health resort" or
at least l remembered having been told
that some one had gone into the Bun ker
Hill diggings for the double object of
health and wealth. Well, / must say
there is decided improvement in the
appearance of the landscape, as we ap-
approached the point OF destination; the
hillsides being bedecked with clumps OF
shady oaks and the canyons occasionally
lined with cottonwoods, ash, walnut,
and other species of weed, and frequent
ly entwined with ivy and wild grape,
and, to lend still further attractions to
the region, springs and rivilets of pure
flowing water also abound.
Eventually We arrived at the Blue
Bird mine, and were greeted by Mr.. and
Mrs. Reynolds, also Mrs. Schneider, of
Tucson. After doing ample justice to
miners supper an hours social converse
followed, then under the open canopy
we were soon enwrapped in the arms Of
our old friend Morpheus.
The next day Saturday was employed
in examining the district. First / Was
given an insight into the Blue Bird
by it's owners. The miEe is
a bout thirteen miles north of Mammoth.
1t has changed hands several times, and
now its present proprietors propose to
prosecute development as rapidly as
their circumstances will permit. The
work done 80 far is an ope n cut of 600
feet showing continuous VEN of from
to L inches, giving an aver
age assay in lead and silver
Of about 500 PEI ton. In
fact the ledge has been traced
for the distance of three claims-ex-
owned by the third partner,
]. G. Cronin, formerly connected with
Harry Meigs' railway construction in
S. A. This gentleman has also had ex-
tensive experience as a miner and
and has eventually secured
a good paying property, besides being
the owner OF q number OF lessor devel-
oped mines in the district.
The formation of the Blue Bird is
granite and sinite. The ore shows no
signs Of "pinching out" but on the con-
trary the vein enlarges as greater depth |
is attained. A So It. tunnel has been |
stopped out, and considerable ore ship |
ped. Ore ID being continually extract |
I'd while development proceeds. The
two shafts sunk are each only about II |
t., but will soon be down much below |
this depth. The ore is shipped east via /
Tucson, and costs S21 to get it to the |
latter point. On account of the per |
cent. of lead contained the ore is work |
I'd FREE, being used far electrical pur-
poses. The Blue Bid owners are dis |
Dussing the proposition of erecting q |
i've ton smelter, which would very ma
terially increase the net profits OF the |
nine. A peculiarly Of this property is |
that it has paid from the grass roots |
downward and throughout, and it is |
that ore is uncovered in suf- |
icient quantities to keep 5-ton smelt-
sr IN operation for two years.
The Valverde mine, near Blue Bird,
Johnson & Reynolds proprietors, has 40 |
'eet tunnel, 81 1t. shaft and 40 it. |
Yinze, and there is plenty OF good ore |
n sight, 1t is proposed to run tunnel
LOO foot below the present tunnel, and |
sink shaft to connect. This is claim
ID to be the richest silver mine in the |
district but the ore go far has hear
'ound in pockets. From IS sacks of ore
shipped to Socorro, N. NJ, in November,
1890, returns show s313.66 silver, and
,l254 gold. Thirty sacks shipped
month later TO same mill gave returns
S277. 80 silver, % gold, and 80 per cent.
cad.
A cloud burst at this latter date IN
swept away about 100 sacks
If the ore before shipped from the
nine.
From Colonel Clark (by many known
rs plain Ed Clark your correspondent
derived much yal1ahla data partaipinO