The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1896-05-01
Vast Stores Of Wealth Yet Untouched in the
Valted Rocks of the Mountains.
THE EN- cry MIN Z.
Bonanza OF Low Grade Ores Historical Sketch of
the District EARLY Discoyerers-Ro of the
Lost Mine-A Bright Future for the Camp.

Setting out from Deer Lodge, the drive
to the Zosel mining district is made over
q characteristic mountain country. For
five miles the road, following the wind
ing course of Cottonwood creek at whose
head the mines are situated, crosses a
wide expanse Of valley, the greater part
Of which is unfenced and unsettled but
whose fertile borders along the foot hills
dotted with farm houses. The ascent OF
the mountains begins upon a toilsome
trail leading up the slope Of treetess
bench, lands which, at this season, are
swept by chilling winds, though their
whole expanse is bare of snow. From
-Aigh point Of the bench an inspiring view
Of the valley is obtained. with its broken
ascarpment Of bordering bluffs, its pic
turesque timber-clad river and the gray
walls and white spires Of its nesting lit
tie city glinting in the ,nomentary sun
shine.
From these broken uplands the road
winds up and over the shoulders Of the
mountains through alternating grassy
parks and open groves of pine and fir.
Except upon high distant ridges there is
no snow, save where in heavy thickets Of
the young fir on northern slopes it has
found a Judgement secure from the suns
rays, and so lays sometimes two or three
feet in depth. On all sides the prospector
IS In evidence and the mountain sides are
spotted with the yellow dumps which
mark the sites Of shafts and tunnels, and
stand as monuments of unrequited toll,
eloquent and emphatic protests against
the goldbug lie that silver can be mined
with profit at less than fifty cents an
ounce. When all the unpaid human la
Dor that has been expended in the search
Tor it, such as is represented in the silent
drifts and echoing tunnels of our noun
tains, is taken into account it is certain
that dollar has gone back to the bosom
al the earth in exchange for every one
that has been Wrested from it,
The Emery mine lies upon the sum
NIT Of an inferior spur Of peaks which
tut out from the towering chain Of the
main divide. The mine is marked by 4
group Of buildings, the larger of which
covers the steam hoist, blacksmith shop
and main ore bins New separate ore
bins have been lately added From the
hoist long dumps extend forth down the
mountain slope, marking the vast labors
of the delivers in caverns beneath, who,
through tedious hours by the yel-
low light Of tlickering candles have la
boriously cut long arches of tunnels and
slopes, and torn from the matrix Of the
living rocks their treasury of wealth.
The Emery is vein of galena, gold
and silver bearing ore which, averaging
about IS inches in width, dips northwest
at an angle Of about 30 degrees. It is
dry mine and contains throughout but
very little timbering, being therefore an
inexpensive proposition to work, save
that in some parts the rock is very hard.
An air compressor is about to be put at
work at these points, however, and much
greater progress will then be made. The
formation is porphyry, both the hanging
and foot wall being of that material. The
incline, which is down $50 feet, follows
the dip of the vein and the levels are run
along its course north and south. At
every part, save at a few intervals where
the lode is temporarily interrupted, the
work is in lead matter, and some beauti-
full ore bodies may be seen in the slopes.
The development consists of the 350-foot
incline shaft, from which the following
levels extend: At so feet, 455 north and
300 south; at 100 feet, AGO north and 800
south; at 200 feet, 44O north and $50
south; at $50 feet, .5 north and 80 south;
at 300 feet, 35 north and 60 south; at $50
feet, 25 feet north. The present manage
ment have sunk 100 feet, extended the
tunnels and done much stopping. At
present five drifts are going. The aver
age value Of the ore is $40 per ton. Fiji