The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-05

O01 nut an American foreman Ina charge O.
get things in some kind OF shape, and start
ed for the Rio Grande border 10 negotiate
with American capital sts for money with
which 20 back up his undertaking. He did
Dot succeed IN getting as much money as
be wanted and returned TO Batopilas
rather disheartened, 60 meeC one Of the
greatest pieces Of good luck that has ever
befnlleu a favorite Of fortune In his alb
sence his foreman had "struck bonanza
as the miners say, and within 90 days had
taken out of the mine over 10000 worth
Of silver. or enough 10 pay for the mine aud
leave a comfortable working surplus for fl-
ture development
Then Boss Shepherd blossomed out as
bonanza king. He devoted all his master
ful genius and tireless energy to develop
ing the property he had and acquiring
more, and pretty soon had control by ALSO
lutte ownership OF a kingdom greater in ex-
tent and far richer in revenues than many
an hereditary monarchy famous Ia the
worlds history. Aud be ruled and still
rules like a king. or perhaps it would be
more correct - say ike one of the feudal
baTons of old, who were more powerful than
the kings 20 whom they owed nominal al
legancei
Liketh barons Of old. he built him forth
fed castle, OF rather an absolute fortress. for
its stone walls, which are 80 feet IN heieht.
incose 100 acres of land and are strength
ened with some of the most approved APP
piisnces Of the modern science Of f0riifca-
tion. Revolution is indigenous in Mexico,
and in the state Of Chihuahua, aud partic-
ularly in that part OF chihuahua wherein
Governor Shepherd mines are located, il is
almost perennial. He has needed the warn
iag conveyed by the fate Of his predecessor
IN the ownership Of the first mine he bought,
and the greaser guerrillas who next at
tempt 20 confiscate the property will have
% do something more than demand posses
sion.
There Is but one entrance 20 the fortress
through heavy iron gates guarded day
aud night by armed sentinel- and opened
only 20 those who have the password Mil
itary discipline obtains throughout the
little city built within the walls. The
streets are patrolled continually by gen
darmes, and every precaution is taken
against trcachery from within or surprise
from without. 4 small army of employees
oil various kinds Is quartered there, and
fidelity il assured boy constant watchfulness
and strictest regulation
The houses. OF which there are many. are
one story adobe structures. built for the
most part with broad. comfortable verau-
oas and standing ia Che grateful shade Of
trees. The boss mansion is quite luxurious
IN its appointment and there is a special
house for visitors. a big hotel accommo-
dates several hundred Mexican miners and
other hired men, and the huge stables are
filed with whole droves 81 animal A
number of small parks ornamens the in
closure and furnish breathing places for
d. d.. .H...
walls except on special business or to cele-
brate some great national or religious fes-
tiyal.
All the work Of the mine g. done within
the fortress. The huge stamp mills are 90
ing dag and night and the ore j. crushed.
Gmalgamated, refined and cast into bars u
pure silver weighing 80 pounds oach.
which are sent every fortnight over tho
mountains 10 Chihuahua city by carefully
guarded pack trains. The output % the
mine averages $4,000 "a MONTH and it L
al spent on improvements. Upward Of
sl00O0,O0O has been SO expended, and the
work T. not yet by any means completed.
One Of the improvements i- q great tunnel
that runs straight into the mountains for a
mile, and another is an aqueduct five miles
long. built Of solid masonry.
Only the highest grade ore is worked "a,
the present time, but when the tunnel 8.
done, so that ore can be brought out iu
train loads, then Governor Shepherd say.
he will begin working the ore that pay.
only 500 To $50 ton, and thc mine will
be "a dividend payer for az least l00 years.
The boss never expects 10 visit his uatiy,
land again. lie has been ina the Uuitet
States but once since he became a Mexican
silver king, but keeps himself well p0ste,
on events here, getting what news be car
daily by private wire from chihuahua ar,
patronizing American publishers Of news
papers. magazines and books with lrea
hberality.