The Helena independent., 1892-04-02
COLORADO SILVER MINES.
Alarm Created by the Report That
Those at Aspen Would
Close.
Y--- .s#F ~ ,.2 80. ..
Though Not Making Any Money
Most OF Them Will Con-
tinue Work.
The Price of silver Under the present Re.
publican Law Continues Too Low
for Profit,

ASPEN, Col. April 1.--Considerable
anxiety has been caused to miners, buai-
ness men and. in fact, all classes Ut people
Ia Aspen Who are dependent solely on the
production OF our mines on account of the
price OF silver. Rumors were rife regard
ing the closing down Of several properties,
whereby hundreds of men would be thrown
out of employment. In view of these facts
an Associated press representative called
upon various mine managers and elected
from them expressions upon this vital sub
lect. Mr.. Fred Bnlkey, manager Of the
Aspen Mining and Smelling company, was
first sesn, and said: mo, we will not close
down, tor she present at any rate. few
men were laid off, but not many. Our
chief production At present is a high grade
lead ore carrying from ten to twenty ounces
OF silver. OF course, 50 long as lead keeps
up we can ship this ore, because it carries
but little silver, being desirable smelling
ore. The treatment charge is light and
therefore makes it profitable to ship. Yon
can state positively that there is no intsn-
ton at present Of closing down.
DIR. Henry Paul. manager Of the Aspen
mine, said: "The owners, or rather those
representing the owners, Of the Aspen mine
held meeting in the city very recently,
and after carefully looking over the situa-
tlon and taking into consideration the fact
that close-down meant idle men and the
oans ing of want in great many families,
decided to operate the mine and meet loss
rather than lay off several hundred men, a
majority Of whom are supporting families.
! would say, however, that in case silver
continues at the present price any great
length of time We would be compelled to
cease operations.''
Manager q. Il, Palmer, Of the Mollie
Gibson, said: "Yes, work will 10 ahead on
the Mollie as usual. We realize fully the
great loss which will be incurred BY con
tinuinR ore production, but we prefer ship
ping ore and keeping our men in employ
Inent to closing down. Still, we are sure,
in case silver does not advance in the near
future to reduce the working force. This
I do not think will be, and certainly trust
Will not be, necessary, as am confident
s5lvassaFi.s soon be considerably higher
Frank Bulkley. general manager Of the
Bushwhaoker and Park Regent: "lhe Re
gent working force has been slightly de-
creased on account of bad roads and the
low price of silver. We will, of course,
continue a steady production. but only
sufficient amount of ore will be shipped to
carry necessary expenses. When silver ad-
vances to a reasonable price our production
will be from thirty to thirty-fve tons per
day, The Bushwhacker, YOU know of
course is only showing small lots of ore,
which is principally averaging 80 per cent?
Manager Newberry, of the Aspen Con-
tact, MIR. Ray. of the Argentum and Dur
ant companies, and several other managers
were seen, who made practically the same
ofo o&avo Fr%,, n1As- Al
already given. The latter said it was to
the everlasting credit of mine owners that
when an emergency did arise whereby to
discontinue operations would be money
making scheme, they possessed sufficient
temptations and decided to go ahead and
if possible avert a calamity which would
have affected all classes of business aside
from the immediate effect closing down
would have had upon the miners.