Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-22
PUMPING FOR MILLIONS.
to Drain "a Rich Gold Wine
That Was Flooded % Years Ago.

(San Francisco Chronicle)
After lying idle for over quarter OF
a century the Allison Ranch mine. IA
nous as one OF the former bIg-producing
properties of Grass Valley, is to be re-
opened and worked to its fullest capa-
city. There is ample capital behind the
enterprise. for the mine is now the pro-
perty of John w. Mackay and James l..
Flood
The Allison Ranch has a unique his
tory among California mines. AS far
back as the early sixties IL was con-
sidered one of the banner gold proper
ties of the State. In the height OF its
prosperity It was purchased by j. Il.
Haggin and A. T.. Davis. Davis was
known as a mining partner OF James
G. Fair, and the rumor was current at
the time that the property had fallen
into the hands of the big Four" who
were then beginning to loom up as for
midable capitalists. Subsequent develop
ments showed that Fair was not inter-
ested in the deal.
The mine proved a good buy for Its
new owners. In 1866 is led all Nevada
county mines in the matter of divi-
dends. Two years later 1t had paid
over 100000 in dividends. One day a
one of the levels. The fluid gushed
through the aperture with the force of
a geyser. driving the workmen before IL.
Almost in an instant a property valued
in the millions was threatened with abb
solute ruin. Haggin and Davis made
some Intellectual attempts to stay the
flood But the water flowed, faster than
the pumps could lift it out. and after a
few weeks of this discouraging work AL
lison Ranch was left TO its fate.
That was twenty-eight years ago. Du-
ring all this time the mine has been a
waste of water. Tunnels and machinery
We're long since abandoned. Now and
then an expert was asked TO Inspect the
property, and the report was always
unfavorable. There were those who be-
leved that the bottom Of the mine had
fallen out. Haggin and Davis spent a
fortune in their efforts to stop the big
leak, and then gave II up.
Eight years ago the property passed into
the hands of John w. Mackay and James
l.. Flood for a mere song. Since that time
there has been no cessation OF the water
flow until at the present time the water
is actually running out of the mouth or
the tunnel as If from some enormous
monitor. Mackay and Flood made the
purchase with the idea that some day
POSSIBLY the leak III tne DoltOln "Oulu ca
haust itself. Now they are determined to
pump the mine out in any event. An
enormous pump, with a lifting capacity OF
l.OSOO00 gallons day will be put to work
on February LIST. 1t is estimated that even
with this machine two years will be re-
duired TO clean the mine of water. After
that development work will be begun.
Owing to the slipshod manner or doing
business in the early days no accurate
record or survey of the underground work
ings of the mine was kept, with result
that beyond the fact that the lowest Level
Is at the foot OF a 750-foot incline neither
Mackay or Flood have any definite KNOW
ledge of the interior arrangement OF their
property. As soon as pumping Is CON-
pleted a definite underground survey Will
be the first work undertaken. AS well as
can be remembered the ledge is big one
and regular in it's formation. After this
a big stamp-min will be erected.
The projectors of the enterprise believe
| they have one of the best gold properties
| on the coast somewhere down among
| those countless gallons Of water. Al
| any rate. they Will spend fortune TO nnd
ont Steam will be utilized as the pump
| ing power at first, although 1t Is probable
an electric-power plant will be erected
| this coming summer.
James l.. Flood, his private secretary
| Walsh. and Richard " Dey, who repre-
sents Mackay on this coast, have just re-
| turned from a personal inspection or the
/ nroperty. They are enthusiastic over tht
| nrospects, and believe that the Allisof
| Ranch Is destined for a new and lone
| lease of prosperous life.