The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-07-06
CRYSTAL FALLS.
AS 1t Is Painted by the Pen OF
George a. Newett.
The Town, Its Mines and other Re-
sourses Viewed and Described
by an Able Writer.


write-up Of Crystal Falls in the last issue
OF that valuable paper:
With q magnificent water power that
is now rushing speedily along, unhar-
messed and unchecked, the village oi
Crystal Falls Is being neglected by that
class Of capitalists who generally give
close heed to such liberal donation OF
force by Dame Nature. The value OF
sucii natural power as is possessed by
Crystal Falls while not now recognized
in degree thnt brings 1t into usefulness,
must some day be taken into account,
and when this is practically observed
there shall have come materinl CONNER
cial aid to the town that now IL certain-
| ~ in need OF business revival.
Crystal Falls appears TO he unfortu-
nate at the present time in lack OF
large deposits OF iron ore OF Besscmer
grade. The market demands but ~
limited quantity Of the hieh-phosphorus
product, and this is already well supplied
by mines now in operation throughout
the different Lake Superior fields. Tie
depression starting in 'o2 fell with great
force on Crystal Falls mining properties,
and the closures were many, andreyivals
since that baneiul period few.
| Could the now wasted water power bc
utilized in the reduction OF these lower
grade ores near the mines, SO that the
present heavy transportation charges
could bc lessened in the elimination Of
the waste in the orc there should be nn
active future for these properties.
The mines should be cheapIy wrought.
The walls are usually very firm, afford
ing protection 10 the wroucht-ont por-
tions without the aid OF timbers, this
eIfecting a considerable saving, and there
are several big deposits from which a.
large product conld annually be secured.
The water charges are not excessive, low
rates OF royalty are obtainable, and the
location with reference TO the marketing
is advantageous.
At present there are but two mines
that are producing ure in this particular
field, the Columbia Qormcrly known as
the Shaicr). and the Dunn. The former
is located some two miles from Crysta
Falls. II Is employing from eighty TO 100
men and producing about 400 tons per
day. The principal mining is being done
on the fourth level, the lowest in the
mine, and the showing Of ore is favor
able one. roomy, iour-department'
shaft easily takes care OF the product OF
the mine. They use no timber. Drifts
are carried in the foot, crosscuts run TO
the hangine, raises made in TIC orc body,
and then they stope baclS. n system that
has worked well at this place. They
leave sufficient ore in pillars To protect
the hanging. No rohbing al pillars has
yet been engaged In. The mine has two
ore formations separated by about
eighty or ninety feet Of lean ore. jasper,
lauartz and slate indscriminately thrown
together.
In the south vein the vein X south
about seyenty-ige degrees, and in the
north vein the dip ~ Ip The opposite
direction about sixty degrees.
No work TO determine the extent ~
the north vein has been done. although
they are now sinking shaft for this
purpose. 1t II eleven feet from the vein
where IL shows near the surface, and will
be sunk sixty feet This is about 500
feet east of the muin shnit in the south
vein.
Tho mine makes about $50 gallons OF
water per minute, and it's location. well
down in the valley, finds considerable
storm wnfcr 60 bother from surfnce.
Mr.. Frank Scnddcn, who is vice-prcsi-
dent and general manager oi the com
pany, has invented baIing device that
works well, and effects . substantial
saving in lifting water over the ordinary
method Of pumping. The baiIcr holds
GOO gallons. fills and elects nutomaticai
ly, and is certainly neat and and
simple arrangement. A sump 20 core
spond with the bailer has been made. tc
receive the latter. II il the intention Il
equip the mine with n hailer having
capaeity Of 100 200 gallons, bnt q
heavier engine will have TO be installed
before this can be done.
II any OF the mines have plant O
machinery with engine and four eight ol
ten-ioot drums they desire To dispose ol
Mr.. Scaddcn II h the market for u. Th'
baiIing oi water at the Columbia issomc
thing that might he inquired into will
advantage by others havingconsiicrab
90 elevate.
A new dry has just been finished tha
talos the place Of one recently destroyed
by ifo,
81 The mine 10 gorkcd mostly on com
pany account, the ffam,ncrs only bcin
haudled ON the eontraet system. Al
average wage Of 81 80 per day Is earne'