The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-26
MERCUR.
Utah's Famous Gold District Has
Had a Prosperous Year.

Had Prosperous Year.
The year 1897 has been a very i'm
portant one in the history of Mercur.
Large bodies of ore. hitherto unsus-
pected, have been discovered; mines
have increased in value, some have en-
tered the ranks of dividend-payers,
prospects have become mines, virgin
ground has been explored, and valuable
mines discovered. Old mills have been
enlarged, new ones built, others are in
course of construction, and still more
are projected. The prosperity of the
mines has been reflected in other
branches of business; real estate has
made great advances, a great many
buildings have been erected, dwelling
and business houses have been en-
larged, the population has greatly in
creased and the number of business
establishments has nearly doubled.
improvements are being made in the
working of the mines and in the treat
nent of the ores. More study is being
given to the prospecting and developing
OF ground and improvements in the
building of mills AS development pro-
ceeds, and more is learned about the
extent and value of the vast ore bodies
existing in the district capital is be
ing more easily induced to invest. The
feeling that the camp is an experiment
is passing away and Aiercur is daily
advancing in the good opinion of min
ing operators, and the camp is ac-
knowledged as one of the best in the
country, with vast possibilities as a
gold producer, and the name and fame
of NIercur is reaching to every part of
the nation.
The establishment of a bank speaks
volumes in itself, the former Inflated
institution having been a serious set
back to the camp. The well-known
banking house of Mccormick & Co has
purchased the bank building and fix
lures and propose to open up Jan. 1.
The well-knoWn stability of the firm
and its experience in mining camps
practically says TO the world; We
have examined the district and found
it ali right. We are not afraid TO in
vest, and advise others to do the
same
During the year the pay roll has in
creased from about $4,000 to in the
neighborhood of SIS 1000, and the camp
is still in its infancy. The coming
year, unless all signs fail, Will witness
such d degree of progress in Camp
Floyd as few mining districts have
ever experienced.
THE MERCUR.
Although the Mercur, as a gold pro-
Queer. had established a reputation and
had miles of drift work to show the
vast extent of the ore vein, no vexa-
tious law suits. a large mill, treating
the ore successfully. and had paid over
half a million in dividends, the year
1897 has seen marked Improvement
in the property. In the beginning of
January Captain De Lamar obtained a
bond on the property, but failed to
take it up. Soon after this Superin-
tendent Edwards discovered that the
vein from which the ore was being
extent and equal value. Ore was found
in number of places where its pres
ence was unsupported, and before June
nearly twice as much ore was in sight
as at the time Of the Mercur option.
The mill at the beginning Of the year
had a capacity of 200 tons, which was
increased in The spring 10 300 tons per
day. large addition having been made
te the tank room. which is now 330x2e
feet and contains SO tanks of Is tons
each. The mill has been lighted with
electricity and number of improve
ments made in the plant
During the year about 900 tons of
ore have been treated, the average
value being $40 per ton. Dividends
paid during the year have amounted
TO $31l,00O, the last one being $50, 000
Wages have amounted to $144. 000
without taking into consideration the
amount paid for timber, etc
During the year a great deal of ex-
ploration and development work has
been done, much of ii on the western
part OF the property. Large quantities
of ore have been blocked out in the
Matte No. 4, ana a tunnel has been
run a long distance in the Lulu and
other claims, showing up good body
OF excellent milling ore. In November
q Wine was sunk about 100 feet from
the mouth OF the Ruby tunnel, which
I. 90 -
broke into j third vein. The extent
of the Vein has not vet been deter
mined. but it is known to be at least
20 feet thick and carries good milling
values The vein is being opened III
as rapidly as possible and exploration
OF the ground in other directions is
going steadily along.
A unique feature in mining was in.
augurated by the NIercur during the
summer, which was mining in an oper
cut The soil was ploN7ed and taken of
the surface by horses, and a Ions
quarry made in the face Of the hill
Here the face of the vein was so fee
thick and thousands Of tons were
mined out with little cost for labor anC
Disqualification adopted this system
and the open cuts were visited by hun
dreds of old-time miners
The value of the Mercur mine ma,
be estimated by the sale of six anC
nineteenth acres to De Lamar a shor
time ago for $685. With their 90
acres Of ground, in all Of which tn,
vein has been found to exist. the prop
erty is. indeed, a valuable one, and tn,
expert who stated that the Mercur hat
enough ore in sight to pay over ;
million more IN dividends. probabi
knew what he was talking about
THE GOLDEN GATE.
Ever since the time De Lamar tool
possession Of this property it has beer
a mystery. 1t was known that ther
We're miles of underground workings
and the ore carried more than tn
average values found in other nine
of the camp, but whether a process TO
working the ores could be found. wa
a question that worried many. Cant
talists were shy: many of the min
owners were discouraged. and it locke,
as if the future Of the camp depended
en- the actions of De Lamar. Durin;
the early part Of the year but littl
work was done, but in July the ma
gician visited the camp and trans
formed the scene. Sinking hopes wer
revived. everything became activity
real estate began to rise rapidly il
value and prosperity smiled on the dis
trict.
DE Lamar's Mercur mines compris
8 large area Of ground. The Colder