The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-08-18

Twenty-Five years ago Big Cotton
wood canyon was one of the most ac-
tive mining camps in Utah. and, in
fact, for some time it was the leading
camp Of the territory, and many for
tunes were made there of which no
records have been preserved.
Yet, like many other old camps in
Utah, where the ore was taken largely
from surface deposits. this grand old
district mas experienced a gradual de-
cay, until today, of all the noted mines
OF the district. the Maxfield is the only
mine that is making ore shipments, I'M
less we might Include the Phoenix,
that is getting in shape for regular
consi gnments, or the Baby Mckee,
that will soon be in position to mar
ket its ores from the new strike re-
Gently made in this promising prop
erty
The Monte Cristo, prospective
bonanza, is also making a good show
ing; but the Reed & Goodspeed mine,
at one time the largest and richest
producer in the camp, is now idle, ow-
ing to the death of Major H. c. Good
speed, who. with untiring perserver-
ance, constructed a mile and more of
tunnelling below the lower workings
with the hope of tapping the main
ledge that is believed to connect the
great mines of Alta with the prolific
mines Of Park City.
As a general thing the mineral de
posts of Big Cottonwood canyon have
been but barely scratched, and with
thorough prospecting the district,
without doubt, would make as great a
record as it did ir the early days when
men flocked to it from every financial
center in this country and Europe,
when mere prospect or location would
command a handsome figure.
Last year J. NJ. Richardson, one of
the pioneer miners of the west and
who was imbued with the idea that
Big Cottonwood would eventually OBJ
tain a new lease on life as a wonder
full producer, spent six weeks prospect
ing in the locality Of the South Fork
of the canyon, and located the Victor
and several other claims between the
Reed & Goodspeed and Baby Mckee
mines.
On the Victor he discovered a small
cropping Of heavy silver-lead ores that
he was able to trace for several hun
dred feet. Becoming convinced that
this stringer would widen out with
depth he prevailed upon his partners,
e. n. Jenkins and VIII Griffiths, of
this CITY, to join him i'm having the as
lode. and accordingly some men were
set to work in the development of the
claim a few days ago
Yesterday, TO the surprise of all con-
cerned, the contractor sent down some
fine samples of ore from the Victor
claim, and although he failed 10 make
amy statement regarding the progress
made, it is evident that in sinking on
the vein the stringer has assumed con-
siderable proportions and that it is
but a question Of time and depth before
this promising prospect will find a
place on the shipping list
The Victor, as previously stated, is
located between the Reed e Good
speed and Baby Mckee mines. while
just above it is the South Fork Con-
soaidated, which is a property Of great
promise, while adjoining the South
Fork is the Monte Cristo, and as all
of these properties are just over the
ridge from the famous old producers
of Alta, there is every reason 10 be
lieve that they are on the same mineral
zone.
/ Mr.. Richardson viii visit the Victor
within a few days in order to ascertain
the latest news regarding the strike.