The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-02-11
PUMPING FOR MILLIONS.
IN Attempt to Drain Rich Gold Nina
That Was Flooded 20 Years Ago.

An Attempt to Drain Rich Gold Nina
That Was Flooded IS Years Ago.
After lying idle for over quarter of
Al century the Allison Ranch mine,
famous as one of the former big produce
ing properties of Grass Valley, is to be
reopened and worked to its fullest ca
rPacity. There is ample capital behind
the enterprise, for the mine is now the
property of John w. Mackay and James
L.sFlood.
The Allison Ranch has unique his
tory among California mines. AS far
back hs the early sixties it was consid-
cred one of the banner gold properties
Of the state. In the height of its pros
pcrity it was purchased by J. b. IIaggin
and A. f. Davis. Davis was known as
mining partner of James &. Fair, and
the rumor was current at the time that
the property had fallen Jnto the hands
Of the Big Four" who were then be-
ginning to loom up as formidable cap
ialists. Subsequent developments
showed that Fair was not interested in
the deal.
The mine proved good buy for its
new owners. In 1866 it led all Nevada
county mines in the matter of divi-
lends. Two years later it had paid over
S3,000,00 in dividends. One day a
miners pick tapped a vein of water in
pne of the levels. The fluid gushed
tEAApeugh the aperture with the force
Of a geyser, driving the workmen be-
fore it. Almost in an instant proper
" valued at millions was threatened
with absolute ruin. Haggin and Davis
made some Intellectual efforts 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
Allison Ranch was left to its fate.
That was % years ago. During all
this time the mine has been waste of
water. Tunnels and machinery were
long since abandoned. Now and then
an expert was asked to inspect the prop
erty and the report was always I'M
favorable. There were those who be-
lieved 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 it up.
Eight years ago the property passed
into tie hands of John w. Maclley and
James l.. Flood for a mere song
Since that time there has been no ces-
sation of the water flow until at the
present time the water is actually run
ming out of the mouth of the tunnel as
if from some enormous monster
Mackay and Flood made the purchase
with the idea that some day possibly
the leak at the bottom would exhaust
itself. Now they are determined tC
pump the mine out in any event. An
enormous pump with lifting capacity
of 1,0S0,000 gallons a day will be put
70 work. 1t is estimated that even with
this machine two years will be required
TO clean the mine of water. After that
development will be begun.
Owing to the slipshod manner of do
ing business in the early days no accu
rate record or survey of the under.
ground workings was kept, with the re
suit. that beyond the fact that the low
est level is at the foot of a 75O-foot in
cline, neither Mackay nor Flood have
any definite knowledge of the interior
arrangement of their property. As soor
Ps the pumping is completed definite
underground survey will be the frs
work undertaken. As we'll as can be re
Ilembered the ledge is a big one ant
regular in its formation. After this q
big stamp mill will be erected.
The projectors of the enterprise be
lieve they have one of the best GOLD
properties on the coast somewhere
down among those countless gallons o-
water. At any rate they will spend ;
fortune to find out. Steam will be
utilized as the pumping power at first
although it is probable an electric pow
er plant will be erected this coming
summer.
James L. Flood, his private secretary
Walsh, and Richard V. Dey, who repre-
sents Mackay on this coast, lately made
a personal inspection of the property
They are enthusiastic over the pros
poets. They believe that the Allison
Ranch is destined for new and Ions
lease of prosperous life-San Francis
co Chronicle