The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-29


tai Invested, Good Wages for the
Laborers-The Richest Ore of Any
Gold Mine i'm the United States in
the Comet.
At recent meeting Of the local mining
bureau c. ". J. Johnson. OF Juneau. read
q paper descriptive OF the paying quartz
mines OF Alaska Mr.. johnson makes
statements that viii surprise most people.
Few realize the fact that every mine in
Alaska that is being worked Is divi-
dend payer. Every mill put up pays a
handsome profit on the investment. there
are no disputes between capital and Ia
Dor they are both well paid Mr.. John
sons information is OF such general in
terest that II Is published here:
1T IS not my intention TO undertake 10
read you a scientific letter tonight. So liz
tie is known about Alaska in a general
mining way that I will content myself bv
giving you description OF the producing
quartz mines in that country.
The Comet mine. located near Berner's
bay. is owned by the Berner's Bay Min
ing Company, OF Boston. This is probably
the richest mine In the Northwest. The
ore is free milling and is very rich. Dur
ing the month OF January the tunnel,
$50 feet long, which has been in course
OF construction for the past two years,
struck the ledge at a depth of $50 feet.
relieving the working shaft Of the water
which for some time had caused cessa-
tion of work The tunnel has efectuauy
drained this shaft. and the mine is now
turning out ore very rich, forty-elght
sacks Of ore yielding the handsome sum
OF $4,000.
Riches. Ore I'm the Country.
"Of course. you Will say this is a pocket
mine. Probably II is, but the pockets are
very close together, large and rich. A a
depth of 630 feet the ore in this mine is
richer than on the surface. The ore from
the ledge is milled in a separate battery OF
five stamps. and nearly all the god is
caught in the battery. OF course, no man
outside Of the company can tell what the
output Of this wonderful mine is but IL
Is a well-known fact that II produces the
richest ore Of any gold mine in the United
States today. This mine is reached
by a railroad, three miles In length, from
Seward City. The road is substantially
constructed, and has two regular loc0mo-
tives and a complete outfit OF other roll
ing stock. II is used for the transporta-
ton OF supplies from vide water TO the
mill and mines. This company owns and
operates forty-stamp quartz mill. with
eight batteries and five stamps each. The
mill Is run by water power, a Pelton
water wheel furnishing the power. One
concentration to each battery is used All
the latest and improved machinery for
milling ere is In use at this mill, From
the mill to the Bear mine, another fine
piece of property. a gravity tramway. LOO
feet long, and capable of Transporting
thirty or forty tons per hour. is In opera
ton. From the Northern Belle another
producing property belonging to this
company. a bucket tramway. capable OF
transporting loo tons per day. Is in opera
ton. conveying ore from this mine to the
mill.
The Bear Mine.
~Referring TO the Bear mine, a great
deal of work and a large sum Of money
has been expended on Il. one crosscut,
about 1890 feet. has been run and a drift
600 feet. along the ledge. This ledge is
tapped at a depth OF 800 feet and shows
ore richer than at the surface. The tun-
mel which crosscuts the Bear ledge IS be-
ing continued. Ii will cut what IL known
as the Johnson group at A distance of
GOO feet. This work is being vigorously
carried on. The lodes in the Johnson
group are large, averaging 100 feet wide,
showing big assays, principally rich sui
phurets, about ; per cent, giving a va!u-
able concentrate. A new tramway from
the new crosscut on the Comet TO the mill
is being constructed. This tramway will
be what Is known as the Jersey gravity
A fine 23o-horse-power engine is used for
general power. The mills, tunnels and all
buildings are lighted BY electricity. II Is
currently reported and I IN. inclined to
believe the statement, that during the
month of January this group OF mines
yielded 500 REQ In gold bullion. This com
pany pays particular attention to the com
fort OF its miners and other employees
II has a hospital. with a physician in
charge. and good bunk and boarding
houses. This company employs about 3o0
men at an average Of $3.50 and board rer
day. This company has never offered any
Of its stock for sale on this Coast but dur
ing all financial difficulties OF the outer
world Il has steadily bored these long ex-
tensive and expensive tunnels in mines
when banks. manufactures. railway com
psnies, merchants. and all other business
men were retrenching or retiring from
business. This company has vigorously
proceeded with tho development ~ this
property and with the striking Of the
Comet ledge ar a depth OF 63o feet with
the richness Increasing. comes their re-
ward.
The JuaIin Mine.
ON this district che Berner's hay1. about
seventy-fye miles from Juneau. reached
hE stea is located the Iualtn mine
and mill. This company was orEs nized
last year by Judge Nellen and Others
Early this spring a tan-stam0 mil was
erected and has from rs fret days run
been a producer and n dividend psyer
highly satisfactory 10 its owners. No
stock IN this mine is being offered for
sale The ledge IS N good 5ize and rich
with free gold. This company operates
its mill by water power. II also operates
It's own sawmil. having an abundance %
good timber Cor mill purposes. This mine
Is located about two miles from the
Comet belonging 10 the RerHer's Pay
Manufacturing Company
The horrible"
There are several other mines in this
district well developed and waiting for
spring - omen in order % erect r lis.
Among these IS tho Horrible recently
purchased ay Mr. Nt-of1i of Portland.
This mine VIII be- a dividend PAYER fr0ri
the day the mill Is started M stock in
this mine is for sale The conpa1y known
asg tho Greek BOYS has a me rtain.
Negotiations FOR its safe are now in
progress
silver Bow Basin.
As 81 e only nv intention 10 describe
20 Won TIE ri1as that aye a~-T7l u~c-
durers- I must overlook many rret!t"rlous
properties. From Beraer's Bay we will "a
- Silver Bow basin. TIE 6rst mine we
strike IS ire Tszou. owned Dv tha EbHAr
Manufacturing C0mranv- H71s mu<A tais
property paws 0o17Iv but the ownerV '7i
ever know The o~e Is rs>h "a free gold.
Al Improved te1-rtarnp miu aaJ roachin-
cry is operated Ay tsis company. The
owners are local people.
odd Is M.