The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-11

MONTANA GOLD MINES.
The prediction made last August by
those acquainted with the mineral re
sources of Montana that the drop in the
price OF silver would result in a great
boom in gold mining in this state has
and is being fulfilled. Unusual activity
in gold mining began 10 attract atten-
ton last September, and every month
since has witnessed more activity, aud
this despite the fact that the ground
has been covered with snow, and con-
sequently there has been little chance
for prospeotors to get around. The fact
Is there are in Montana such q large
number OF gold-bearing properties, To-
Gated years ago. and partially developed,
but afterwards abandoned that II no
other discoveries we're made for years
there would be employment on these
for several thousand men, and their out
put would add millions Of dollars to the
worlds wealth. When these gold prop
critics we're originally located the moth
dds Of reducing gold ore were not only
comparatively crude, but they we're also
very expensive; so expensive, IN fact
that unless the ore ran very high they
could not be operated az a profit. Quite
a different condition OF affairs exists at
present. In no branch Of the mining
industry has there been such a marked
advance as in that pertaining TO the re-
duotion Of gold ores. Where the loss
formerly ran from % to 90 per cent in
working the ore, il now only averages
five per cent, and in many cases the loss
is only three per cent In consequence
many gold bearing mines that have been
idle for years are now beng put into
condition 70 be operated. Capital, also,
chary In regard 70 silver properties, IS
willing 10 take hold OF gold mines now;
whereas three years ago it WAS almost
impossible to persuade the man with
money TO look at a gold mine IN Mon
tana.
While almost every section Of Mon
tana will be benefited 10y this renewed
interest in gold mining, Lewis and
Clarke county, especially IN the vicinity
Of Helena, will probably witness the
greatest activity. This is due TO the
fact that the most extensive known gold
belt IN the state IS located on an sides
and within q radius Of ten miles Ok this
city, The statement that there VIII be
great activity on this gold belt is not a
hap hazard one, but is made after "a
careful investigation In the FIRST place
there are very few known gold-bearing
properties in this vicinity but have been
bonded within the past six months
One Of the best barometers Of the min
ing industry is the business done by tho
mining machinery men. Manager Pat
enuude, Of the Hotter Hardware tom-
pany, the most extensive d, a.era I'D min
ing machinery iu this vicinity, said yos-
terdy that since lust September there
had been q steady growth 10 tie depart
ment devoted TO gold mining machinery.
So pronounced had this become that
they had found 10 necessary q add
largely 70 their stock in that depart
ment. The sales already made were 10
large part 60 those operating boz this
county. in the Un.onv..le. Dy Gulch.
Blue Cloud and other districts. The
inquiries daily received from persons .n-
terested 10 these mining districts con-
WINGED him that there was going to le e.
great deal OF work done 10 thom this
year. A well-knoun mining broker says
that he is constantly IN receipt ~ in
quiries from investors IN regard 10 gold
properties, especially those iocated 10
this vicinity. The difficulty he finds Is
his inability 10 meet the demand
As to the richness Of tho gold belt
surrounding Helena, the uuasksd and
unprejudiced opinion of en- eminent
English expert is worth recording. This
gentleman has visited 10 his capacity as
expert gold mining sect ous an over the
world FOR English clients. lls came o.
Montana two months ago 20 look al the
sapphire fields and while hero took o.
casion 10 look over the gold belt AZ q
result OF this inspection ho gave 10 o.
his opinion that the gold belt 100 tho W.
cinlly Of Helena wac the most prom.s-
ipg o. great things ho had ever visited.
But Lewis and Clarke county has not
by any means tho monopoly Of tie gold
districts Of the state. Jefferson count,
has Placer Bedford, Basin aud othor
Moaghor has Confederate, the new DDS
trct Of York and other; be- Granite
county the gold mines in the vicinity of
Combination arc rapidly coming 20 tho
front M.saoula, Madison, Park. Boa
verload and Choteau counties viii rro-
duoo more gold 10 1893 than r. ysars.
and one 81 thom, MIasoula, more than
ever before in Ler history.
Dd Colorado have third Of the gold
tearIng area possessed by Montana che
would have O stampede to a new eldo-
RADIO every day in the year
orr INsrIIUIIoNN