Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-15
Editor George Norton. of the Silver
City Independent, Talks of His
Impressions of Santa Fe, and
Other Matters.
PROSPERITY FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT
He Recounts Some of the Causes Tha,
Are Contributing to the Rsawaken-
ingof This Section, in the March
of Commercial and Indus
trial Development.

) journals of New Mexico, has been il
Santa Fe for the past three days, return
ing to his home last evening. This wa
Mr.. NoIton's first visss 10 the capital
occasioned by the fact that Mrs. Morton
is spending the summer here for he
health, which by the way, has been great
ly improved since leaving Silver City
In an interview with representative o
the NEW MEXICAN shortly before leaving
Mr.. Norton said:
"This is my first visit to Santa Fe. AL
though have been resident of New
Mexico for five years have never found
it convenient to visit the capital before
but am very glad came because have
received many impressions quite favora
of antiquity here which at once becomes
interesting to one who has resided in the
more modern towns of the territory
While perhaps one is not inclined to fall
into eostacy over your streets, public
buildings, business houses, and general
surroundings from business point of
view, still there is an air of hospitality
among your people which renders visit
here very enjoyable indeed"
Asked as to the conditions which are
contributing to the present business and
industrial revival in Silver Cit, Mr.. Nor
ton said:
"Well, they are 80 numerous that fear
you might become weary were to digress
upon them at length. However, few
will, no doubt, become interesting. But
before entering upon that subject, want
to say, incidentally, that Silver City not
only is, but always has been, one of the
best towns in the territory. You see our
resources are not confined to any one or
two features, as is 80 common with the
other cities of New Mexico. When the
panic of the early seventies occurred and
when the chief mining industries were
confined to silver, iron, copper, lead and
zinc, of course we were staggered for a
time, but soon recovered, however.
"The lower grade propositions in those
lines were of necessity abandoned, but
realizing that Grant county was one of
the most thoroughly mineralized sections
of country in the southwest, the miner
shouldered his pick and hammer and
went forth to discover new sources of
fortunes. Nor was he to be disappolnt-
ed, and the result now is that we have a
greater variety Of mining enterprises in
active operation at present than at any
time during the history of Grant county.
Pinos Altos, one of the oldest camps in
the southwest, and one in which, perhaps
more money has been recklessly squan-
dered than any other in this section, is
coming to the front with bound. The re-
cent big Bell and Stephens deal there means
much. The Hearst estate, which pur-
chased the group of mines included in the
deal, is reported to have paid $50O,OOO
for the same, but be that true or false,
the sum paid is known to be very large.
The new company has the means, and is
preparing to sink number of shafts to
depth of 1000 feet. In addition to
this measure, the Golden Giant, Mountain
! Key and number of smaller companies
are expending great deal of money
there. Gold is the principal product of
this camp. There are six mills pounding
away there night and day, and not less
than 500 men employed in the mines and
mills.
"Tha smelter owned and operated by
the Silver City Reduction company, To-
Gated near Silver City, is in active opera
tion, and is putting through about 40
tons Of ore daily. There are at the pres
ent time about 40 men employed, and the
wheels are kept turning night and day
This has been Of great good to Silver City
and the surrounding country, as in many
cases it has enabled miners to operate
their properties, which we're at a stand
still before it started, by reason of the
high transportation charges on ore. There
were number of mines il the vicinity of
Silver City turning out ore, that did not
pay to ship great distance--say to Den
yer or Pueblo. Since the smelter above
referred to opened up, however, these
properties have all commenced operation
and are paying we'll.
"Santa Rita, q tributary camp, is one
of the oldest mining centers in the terri
tory. The mines here were worked be-
fore the conqu uest. The product OF this
section Is all copper, and there are a
number of paying properties in opera
tion, with several more to come in the
near future. / saw some ore from this
Damp recently that assayed between 80
and 40 per cent Of free copper.
"copper" Flat ten miles east OF silver
City is prosperous. This property ls
owned By Frank Simpson OF Boston,
while M. 3. Berry acts as resident mana
ger. About month ago they blew 10 g
new smelter at this point, having Ca.
pacity Of 80 tons dsy. At present
| the plant is not being taxed to It's fullest
capacity, ABOUT ~ CONS OF ore daiiy oeing
! fair estimate of the run.
GAS to the stock interests Of Grant
oorrtv a. ontloot for this ;ndnstrv 4