The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-08-29
ROCK oREEk MlNEs.
An Assay From the Alexander Produces
$500 III GOld-The XXI, Red Bird
aud Zena Improving.


write letter treating some of the min
ing properties of this district in which
our citizens are interested, and here
with give you the development of {
few.
To my surprise | found the Rocl
Creek slope fairly hummiDg. The first
claim we found in full operation wa.
the Alexander on the summit dividing
the two creeks. This mine is owned
by Carlton, Lee and MAIDEN. Lee has
1t leased and will sink a 100 foot shaft
The timbers for sinking the shaft are
en- the ground and Boise made within
has been ordered; five men are EN-.
ployed. The ore is comparatively free
with little base at the present depth,
forty feet, showing up. The ore is all
assorted, portions of it being very rich.
The first ten feet of the shaft milled,
on the Bishoprick mill, $3.50. The
ledge is growing wider as depth is
gained. A 6-inch streak In the lodge
assayed over $500 in gold, but was
quNe base. The owners of this claim
are very proud of their bonanza and
will push its development, and no
doubt the Alexander will be one of the
best mines in the district.
After leaving the Alexander and fol
lowing the road down the hill met Fl.
w. DOrman, superintendent of the X
L group of mines recently incorporat.
ed, who invited me to inspect the mines
and pass judgment upon the develop.
ment and improvements being made.
On the / X L i find twelve men at
work and team grading for a shaft
house--eVery man working like beav-
ers. Mr.. Dorman said that owing to
building wagon roads, breaking down
of wagons and contractors going back
on their contracts for the delivery of
timbers, the work had been delayed so
long that every men felt like working
his best to make up for lost time. The
Te.timberinR of the $50 foot incline is
the first thing that viii be done; then
the sinking Of the same ITO feet deeper
will be done as fast as muscle and
money can do 1t. Mr.. Dorman said
that his main object in sinking here
was to test the value of the lodges at a
good depth. In going down the incline
ind one of the best defined lodges
seen in the camp. at the bottom there
Is AZ feet of clean ore which pans con.
siderable free gold; the drifts on each
side also show large bodies of ore on
the surface. The ledge has been open.
cd up with tunnels and shafts to the
extent of 1870 feet and each and every
opening shows a well defined ledge and
high grade ore. The X L has also an
east extension of 1000 feet which gives
1t a fine tunnel site, permitting a tun-
mel on the ledge for distance of 1900
feet, tapping the incline fully 400 feet
deep. 1t is conceded by all that if the
X L proves a failure or does not make
q big paying proposition there is very
little encouragement for mining on
Rock Creek. Mr.. Phil Hast, an old
time mine foreman, is in charge of the
work, and said: "If general formation
and abundance Of ore win make a mine
Il is here"
After examining their new Denver
Whim and learning how the hoist
was worked which, by the way, is the
means of a big saving in the expense
Of holsting, Mr.. Dorman proposed
Visit to the Ida, one of the X L group.
find the surface showing something
immense, body of ore from five to /
seven feet wide, not under cover, Is {
inches deep and uncovered for 100 feet
n lengths lower down the hill a cross
tut was run 55 feet tapping the ledge /
about 80 feet deep and, where cut 6
measures 10 feet between walls and 1
'aFrying over 12 feet of ore. On the c
rift south, the ledge being wider than 7
he drift, the same was cross cut and a I
leaner body Of ore the writer never 7
aw. The tape was put on the cross a
ut and II feet was given. Asking Mr.. b
)Orman IL this body of ore PANIED. he a
aid, sample 1t as you like and pan as a
luch rs you WISH" which l did and
Tas greatly pleased to find IL feet of z
re pan so well. The south drift was O.
OHtinued 66 feet and the entire dis. "
ance the ledge was larger than the W
lrge drifts; an upraise was made to W
le upper workings, and the four sides in
low solid ore. Mr.. DOFman does not W
Eaegerate when he says the Ida can m
reduce and show more ore than any q
her five claims for the same amount &C
development. Soon as the KILN. re
ineis retimbered a force of men will Oh
put on the Ida. The superintendent OF
well as the directors will crowd the th
orkS day aud night and will work as to
any men as fast as openings can be pr
AIDE for them. Judging from present II
'pearances this group of mines will co
valuable property. tel
In addition to this group I find four MT
en- sinking q shaft 100 feet on the TT