The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-12
IT'S GOOD PROPERTY
Progress of Development in the Old
San Martina Mines.
HOW THE ORE is TREATED
5. I. Silverman Talks About the
Camp and Gives a Very En-
couraging Reports ONE
Other Prospects.

Missoula, March 11.-Ever since the
development and exploration of the old
San Martina company's mines was be-
gun by the Missoula Gold Mining COM
pany. there has been much interest in
this city regarding the result of the
work From time to time there have
been rumors in circulation as to the
progress of the work but the company
has withheld all information until IL
was an assured fact that the expected
ore was in sight. 1t will be gratifying
to the Standards readers to learn that
there is now no doubt as to the exist
ence of a large body of ore. which is
free milling and of good average grade.
From S. /. Silverman. who is well
known among mining men throughout
the Northwest a Standard man gath
cred few facts to-day of interest
about the promising mining camp of
Martina. few months ago the prop
critics owned by the San Martina Min
ing company were sold under a tudg
ment and purchased by Messrs. Mar
shall and Corbett of Misoula, and III.
l.. Frank of Butte. The present owners
Incorporated the Missoula Gold Mining
company, of which Mr.. Silverman is the
general manager for the purpose of
developing and operating the property.
This property consists of "A well-built
five-stamp quartz mill run by water
power and gravity cable car tramway
connecting the mine and the mill, and
a number of quartz claims, the most
prominent being the Little Giant and
the Grouse.
Development work on the Little Giant
was begun two months ago and the
showing made is far beyond the most
sanguine expectations of the owners.
An expenditure of $1,000 in sinking and
drifting on the vein has developed and
practically exposed at least $4,000
worth of ore. The character of the ore
is milling gold quartz carrying about
five per cent. of iron, a part of which
is an oxide and part pyritic ore The
vein is a well-defined contact, lying be-
tween a granite porphyry for a foot
wall and lime shale hanging wall.
The ore is not frozen TO either wall. but
has a tale seam varying from six inches
TO foot in thickness. which forms
cleavage or division between the
quartz and the walls. The vein varies
from two to six feet in thickness and is
very regular and well-defned. The
character of the ore has improved in
value as depth is attained, the best av-
erage obtained from the upper work
ings being about So per ton, and now an
average sample of the vein for so feet
in length on the lower level shows that
the ore will mill $50 per ton.
IL is the intention of the company to
start the mill as soon as spring opens
so that water can be run in the ditch
without freezing. They are now push
ing development work on the property
and will also do considerable develop
ment work on the other claims the
coming summer. The showing thus
far made on this property demon
strates beyond the peradventure of a
doubt that another dividend-payer
will be added to Missoula countys list
of mines.
The Nine Mile Mining company's
properties, superintendent by j. w.
Woodford. are having considerable de-
Velopment work done on them and
are making a good showing.
Il. r. McGilhgot, the original dis
coverer of the Nine Mile properties,
has recently made quite a strike on
one Of his locations i'm the vicinity of
the Little Giant, and has several men
working.
The placer miners up the creek are
hauling considerable lumber into camp
and are preparing for an active sea-
sons operation.
At present there is considerable snow
in the mountains which somewhat re-
tards development work Mr. Silver
man thinks there is lots of gold terri
tory in Missoula county yet to be de-
veloped without being obliged to go TO
Trail creek, Cripple Greek or other
creeks TO seek for gold.