The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-06-05
NEWS FROM THE IRON MINES.
INTERVENING NOTES RELATIVE TO
OUR PRINCIPAL INDUSTRY.
Mesaba and Other Iron Ranges.

Mesaba and OtAer Iron Ranges.
The principal topic in local
mining circles the past week has
been the reduction in force at
the Franklin group and Com.
modore, the night shift being
laid off and throwing some 800
men out of employment. The
cause of the reduction is un-
known to the local managers of
the properties, nor do they know
of how long duration the pres
ent depression may be. 1t is al.
together probable, however that
the general depression in the ore
market has much to do in the
matter and it is TO be hoped that
so soon as conditions may war;
rant the nigh; shift may be re-
sumed.
BY the discharge of the night
shift at the Commodore n'Mon-
day, 81 men were thrown out at
this property, leaving about so
men day shift at the property.
From shafts Nos. / and 9 some
six or seven cars per day are be-
ing loaded and shipped and the
property is being put in excel
lent condition throughout. The
new No. 3 shaft is being sunk at
a rapid rate, now down so feet,
about one-half of the depth be-
ing in ore. The Commodore ore
is said to be a very saleable pro-
duct, and it is expected that a
big force will be employed on
the property the latter part of
the season.
The Drake & Stratton COM
pany keep gradually adding to
their force, now employing 250
men, working two shovels on the
Oliver and Jack stripping and
one in loading ore at the Ohio,
The Oliver is loading with two
shovels, putting out from 5000 to
5000 tons daily, employing about
100 men, The ere on the Lone
Jack property improves percep.
tibly as depth is obtained"
An extension of the option on
the Sauntry has been granted,
and two drills continue explora-
tory WORK thereon.
The Minnesota Iron company,
holding an option on the west
half Of the south. west quarter of
3-58-16, cornering on the Can.
ton, struck ore Of good quality
in their explorations on the
property on Saturday last.
Capt. Harry Roberts, who is
sinking a shaft to the ore body
found by drill on 25, 58-17, is
now down 1925 feet. The ore
body has not yet been encount-
cred, the shaft at present being
in taconite.
The Queen, Prince Of Wales
and Buffalo are among the Mar
quette range mines which have
recently opened for the season.
Franklin Rockefeller, Mr..
Saunders and 6. M. Boss COM
posed a party who were in the
city the irst three days Of the
week, in Mr.. Rockefeller's pri.
vate car. From here the party
went to Ely, for a short inspec-
ton of the mines there.
On Wednesday j. B. Fitzger-
aid finished laying the d., M. &
N. track to the new shaft at the
Victoria, and shipments were
commenced at once,
Messrs. Stevens & Crockett
have secured a big contract al
the Aetna, formerly known az
the Lowmore, at Mountain Iron
The contract is for stripping an6
mining the ore on this enormou:
property, and they are already
making preparations to begin
operations. The opening of thi!
mine will be an appreciabl'
event to the people Of tn
Mountain, who have been mucl
discouraged at the prospects TO
the season.
Al the Franklin group the da,
shift now numbers about 25O
and loading from stock and shat
at the Bessemer IS being pushed
At the Victoria the track is nov
in to the shaft and a better ship
ping record will hereafter b
made. The new shaft at tn
Franklin has been sunk TO
depth of 215 feet, and the ski
sumps are now being sunk. Th
steam shovel which has bee
loading from No. / stockpi]
Franklin was on Saturday las
removed to the Bessemer stocl
nile