The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-13
DRUM LUMM0N MINE.
There is Active Work in All Of the
Company's Mines and
Mills.
Work of Sinking to the 500 Level
Commenced on the
MOulton.
A Large Force Of Men to BE Fut ia
Work On tho Bozemnn
Lode.

If the purveyors of false rumors about
the Drum Lummon would visit Marysyille
and watch the activity in the mills and
mine their views would undergo u beautiful
change. They would find the camp throb-
bing with life and would soc enough to con-
vince any tyro that the famous Montana
ompany will roll out the bullion longer
than most men Of this generation viii! care
to live. Yesterday n PARTY Of Helena gen.
tlemen we're permitted to enjoy the genial
hospitality Of Manager George Il. Robin
son and his estimable wife. Tho guests
were Judge Hunt. United States District
Attorney Weed. H. M. Parchen, Hugh Nc
Quad. Samuel Il. Green and The INDIE
man. They visited the mills, in
specteA the machinery and we're escorted
through several miles Of drifts and tunnels.
1t was as fine a days recreation as one
would wish to enjoy and was interesting as
we'll as pleasant.
The Montana mpa now employ 2GO
men in the various departments and though
this force is not quite as large as in the
past moro work is accomplished. This is
because improved machinery saves more
labor. Ths fact that but fourteen miners
are employed would appear strange to the
average visitor until he learned that with
the assistance Of new drills, invented by the
co%mpany's machinists, these men dig out
enough ore to keep armies OF carpenters.
machiniste, car men and mill men busy at
all times. Every one of the company's ITO
stamps is kept going day and night.
Seventy-fiv hundred tons of ore are
handled each month. including 5000 tons
of t~ailinQs. or the latter 6oO.0oO tons are
ready for use, and as 60 per cent of the
metals can be saved the profits will average
$3.50 a ton. The great obstacle heretofore
to the treatment of tailipgs was the cost,
but Manager Robinson by ingenious appli-
cation has reduced this so low as to return
u handsome profit. The work OF
sides the Drum Lummon mine proper,
the company owns FIVE undeveloped
groups not fur distant. assuring plenty OF
good ore for many years TO come. Inc ore
found in the lower levels is low grade but
is handled under a management In which
the company may we'll have honest pride.
The fact that a u new Cornish pump at the
second shaft is being placed Mt Il cost of
SS5, 900 is evidence that the owners mean to
continue work on a large scale IN this great
mine. The value Of bullion shipped dur
ing the past year n from $4,000 to S45.-
600 per month and has at times reached
$50, 900.
There are now thirteen miles of drifts
and tunnels IN the mine. The main shaft
extending downward LOO feet, a greater
depth than is fonnd in any Montana mine
was burned out last May and is now await
ing repairs. The work of re-timbering is
now going on as rapidly as possible. This
will take considerable time because the fire
made sad havoc, though fortunately it was
held back from other sections of the mine.
1t will cost the company fully 100000
when the repairs are completed.
The Drum Lummon has long been noted
for it's splendid equipment of machinery
and fine business management. The COM
plete plant up to date has cost $5.00O.00O
and the developing work has amounted to
$500. 1000. Several unique Inventions for
saving labor, life and cost, have been made
by the company's employees. Among these
is a cage with an electric connection to the
shaft. BY pressing a button the current is
made. and communication may be had
with the engineer at any position in the
shaft. There is also an ingenious improve
mont in the Gamewell fire alarm. and all
but perfect system for extinGuishing fires
is maintained. The Drum Lummon is the
only Montana mine with a COM plete ma
chine shop, and all machinery except the
heaviest ia here made from Helena cast
ings. The drills made here alone are of the
nnest description.
Under the capable management Of Mr..
Robinson tne various departments are sys-
tematizsd into clock work regularity and
although there is no miners union in
Marysville no labor troubles have ever oc.
CURED. The mine has been remarkably
free from accidents and Mr.. Rnhinson Gays
that there is no record OF accident that was
not caused by the victims carelessness OF
disobedience of orders.
The Drum Lummon mine to-day is not
paying as it has done in former years; in
deed, it would not be strange if this phe-
nomenal producer would be able to keep uI
its famous high water mark. Nevertheless
there is plenty of evidence to back the con-
tidenoe of its owners and from the presen'
prospects 1t is safe to predict that il vii
return abundant rewards for their faith.