The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-10-06
vE:RNILI0N
Correspondent of the Duluth
Herald Writes Regarding
The Range.

Herald Writes Regarding
The Range.
A careful summary of the produc-
ton and shipments OF the iron ore
producing properties of the Vermilion
range this season shows a balance in
favor Of the latter, many properties
having shipped their entire stocks.
Even though production was some
what curtailed and prices trifie less
than in previous years the shipments
In the latter end Of the season have
been greater than for a number OF
years past. With advancing prices
for iron and a stockpile shortage evil
dent at many of the properties, the
coming winters production will
eclipse any like event since the open
ing Of this locality as an ore produc-
ing region. In shipments, the Min
nesota Iron company, with properties
at Soudan, is in the lead and will, ere
the close of navigation, have shipped
500, 900 tons of hard ore. This prop
erty, which is one of the best devel-
oped Bessemer ore producers in the
world, has for many seasons previous
to this, had large stOckpiles on hand
at the end of each successive season.
This year, however, every ton OF ore
on.surface has been shipped and the
entire daily product now being mined
is loaded direct into cars for shipment
and will be as long as navigation is
open, after which an endeavor will be
made to stoclpile as great an amount
as was on hand at the beginning of
this season, in anticipation of next
years business. The ore shipped this
season has been sold in three grades,
viz; Minnesota, the best and purest
iron ore produced, Vermilion ard Red
Lake. This classification cuts o't
one grade, called Soudan, which was
formerly made. In amount OF pro-
duction the Vermil ion far exceeded
both of the other grades. At these
properties some 700 men are con-
stantly employed and it is reliably
stated that 900 men will be given en-
ployment during the winter months.
as the management intend to work
the properties to their fullest extent.
Yesterday, a ten per cent raise in
wages affecting all classes of employees
alike went into effect and the feeling
of unrest which has prevailed among
the help is Quieted and the company
will be able to retain it's force Of men
A busy scene now presents itself
around these mines and many men
are employed on surface getting
in readiness for the winters work.
StOckpile trestles and bottoms are be-
ing renewed and rebuilt, warehouses
removed and enlarged and the win
ter's supply of fuel which is greater
than for many seasons, is being stored.
While it can not be athOritatively
stated, rumor is current that the old
Lee mine, now owned by this COM
pany and abandoned because of liti-
CATION, will be reopened and become
an active producer. Should this
prove true some 300 additional miners
will find employment here and the
city will be greatly benefited.
The Chandler at Ely, owned and OPP
Grated by the Chandler Iron company
of which G. r. Chaplin, of Chicago, is
president, is the next in order in the
amount of shipments, and has al
ready reached the 400, 000-ton mark
and as yet shipping it's daily'output of
1900 tons direct from the pockets to
the docks at Cleveland. The ore from
this property this season has been all
of one grade, not two, as previously
viz; "Chandler, and sales were made
at 1922 per ton delivered at Cleveland.
The work of loading from stockpile
by steamshovel has been discontinued
and there now remains in stock 49,
600 tons. Notwithstanding this, the
indications for a lively winter are
very promising. This mine IS now
employing 300 men. day shift only,
the night shift having been discon-
tinued in July, but the management
state that from 500 to $50 men will
be employed the coming winter.
Last year this company paid to its
men within per cent of the wages
paid in 1892, which were the highest
ever paid, and this year the men
have been receiving within 123 per
cent of the 1892 schedule. A good
feature, as to the general condition of