Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-12-01
HILLSB 1RO GOLD MINES.
Hon. w. -. EsOpeweIi Gives the New
Mexican Much Fresh Information
Respecting Great Sierra C0un-
ty Gold District.

Hon. W. s. Hopewell of Hillsboro, 81
ezra county, who was useful member OF
the territorial legislature six years ago
and justly ranks as one of the most pro-
gressive and enterprising residents OF
New Mexico, is a visitor at the capital
in attendance upon meeting of the
Transmssissipp exhibition.oom mission
ers. OF course5he called upon his friends
of the NEW MEXICAN and graciously and
satisfactorily re piled, ,Litol such leading
questions as were propounded to him by
one of the papers interrogation pGints,
He remarked in general terms, and
with evident pride and pleasure, that
Hillsboro and the neighboring gold
camps were enjoying a greater degree of
prosperity than for ten years; that there
was plenty of work for everybody at
good wages; that the mines and reduction
plants of tie district were in active and
fruitful operation, and that plans for
largely increased development work and
corresponding enlargement of reduction
facilities we're rapidly taking the pleas
ing form of materialized facts.
"The II. NJ Porter mill is running night
and day on ores from the Snake, Oppor-
tunity and Bobtail minee, which are being
mainly worked on the lease SYSTEM" said
Mr.. Hopewell. Between 30 and 40 men
are getting out very fine ore from these
we'll known Hillsboro gold producers. A
son of 81. NJ. Porter Is in charge of the
mill and also looks after the lessers in the
interest of the mine owners.
"The Charter Oak mill, of the Mesa del
Orc company, is running full time on ore
from the Wicks mine. This mine is en-
ploying 15 men and is producing fine
grade of gold ore.
cat the north end of the Opportunity
mine body of honey'combed quartz,
the spaces being filled with a fibrous
blood red substance, has been encount-
cred, which runs 1G ounces in gold to the
ton. Naturally this new discovery has
excited good deal of interest in the dis,
trict and it may lead to the opening up
of an exceedingly valuable ore body"
added the gentleman.
"The Dry Ore Concentrating works,
owned by Omaha and Boston capitalists,
have been attached to the Porter mill, and
some very satisfactory runs have been
made on all sorts Of ore produced in
the district, including oxides, sulphldes
and placer dirt. The owners of this plant
have purchased group Of mines in
Ready Pay gulch from Larson & Mitchell
and have force of miners at work de-
velopiDg the same, with William Taylor
of Hermosa, acting as superintendent.
they are also erecting a dry concentrat-
ing plant in Ready Pay gulch. The ma
chinery is on the ground and it will soon
be in operation" continued Mr.. Hope
well.
THE Fellesin Floris proosss people
are erecting a mill in Dutch gulch to
work the ores of that camp. The Happy
Jack, Tripp and Homestake groups Of
mines are under bond to these people.
Major Llewellyn is interested with them.
Mr.. Gruyard, who thoroughly understands
the new method of treatment, is superin-
tendent. 1t is some kind of an electro
cyanide process, whereby 1t is claimed
that all gold ores, except those running
high in copper, can be protitably treated.
81 may add right here that the Platinum
mine, also in Ready Pay gulch, is now a
producer.
"Superintendent Flske has made ar
rangements extensively and systematic
ally to work the Richmond group of
mines. Mr.. Fiske recently returned from
consultation with the Chicago owners
of these valuable properties.
"The Mesa del Oro Placer company,
which has acquired extensive tracts Of
placer ground in the Las Animss or Hills
boro mining district, will begin opera
tions, as soon as the reports of the ex-
perts are all in and the Pittsburg people
interested determine whether to work the
ground by means of pipe line or an
open ditch. A decision between the two
methods will doubtless soon be made"
Speaking OF prospective changes
in the judiciary of the territory, Mr..
Hopewell remarked that the people Of
Hillsboro, regardless of politics, strongly
favored the appointment of their able,
learned and upright fellow townsman,
Hon. Frank W. Parker, for Judge of the
Third judicial district, whose quallfica-
tions for the position are generally re-
garded as of high order.
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