Arizona republican., 1898-07-26
THE FORTUNA.

Phoenix. July 24-Specia1 correspon' fence of The Republican.)- re- turned from trip to Yuma county ana A visit to the Fortuna mine, 1 thought a few items might interest some or your readers.
 The Fortuna mine is situated ln an irregular basin or depression in low range of mountains 16 miles soutn of Blaisdell on the Southern Pacific railroad. Near the center of this ba- sin is an elevation of some eighty feet in height and about two hundred feet in diameter at the base The ere that led to the development of this great property was found on the north side and at the base of the hill, and almost directly an a trail travelled for many years by smugglers and other from Yuma to Sonora. It was found while prospecting for placers, and in nc other way was it likely to have been discovered, as the outcrop was too small to attract attention. esta e2
 The vein was small but at a depth of ten feet it increased in width, with in- creased assay values. At this time ''Wide-Awake Bob'' Straus, formerly business manager for Hubbard and Bowers at Harqua Hala, visited the property and immediately entered into negotiations to purchase it. The own CTS wanted twenty thousand dollars. MT. Straus refused to buy the prop erty at any price for cash, but offered to bond it, agreeing to expend in de- velopfng it sum equal to the price they asked. and if it proved satisfac- tory he would pay them one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the prop erty. They accepted his proposition and after an expenditure of twenty eight thousand dollars he closed the deal and paid the $150,00O in cash.
 The mill is built on the west side of the hill-four batteries of five stamps each. The weight of each stamp is thirteen hundred and fifty pounds. The working shaft is double compartment on an incline just back of the mill. Near the top of the hill, and immedi- ately back of the shaft is the hosting machinery. The ore is raised by skip and is only handled once by hand It is dumped into a rock crusher at the top of the mill, dropped into an ore bin, thence into an automatic or self feeder and into the batteries The monthly output is from forty to fifty thousand dollars.
 The mine is developed to depth of six hundred feet. Another evidence that the mines or lodes in Arizona go down.
 From the present outlook there will be ore to keep the mill running for many years yet; then comes the treat ment of the tailings, which will take several years more
 The mine is ventilated by a large air compressor, one piece of which alone weighs eleven tons.
 There are from seventy to eighty men on the pay roll and about one hundred and fifty people in the camp The men who fill the most responsible positions are selected because of their ability and not on account of favorit- ism MT. Martin is the mining super intendent and NIT. Joe Golden is the foreman These gentlemen have lue entire confidence of the owners of the nlne, and if results count they are de- serving of it. I regret that I did not meet them. MT. Hoph is the chief amalgamator, a gentleman of many years experience in that line
 Our old time friend and former resi- dent of Phoenix, Ed Wiggins, has charge of all the machinery, and also does the assaying, melting and ship ing of the bullion. The bullion is un- der strong guard from the time it is run into bars until it is placed on board the express car in charge of Wells, Fargo & Co., at BIaisdell. MT. John Doan, son of Judge F. M. Doan, has charge of the business department.
 There is a stage line carrying the mail daily each way from the mine to Blaisdell. Dan Devore is proprietor
 The mill and camp is supplied with water pumped from the Gila river, six teen miles. Messrs. Cantwell and Styles, two experienced men, run this plant. It requires skill and watchful- ness for the success and comfort of the entire camp is dependent on the pump.
 MT. Sherman Wiggins has charge of of the pipe line and is also an expert electrician. He has just completed a two-wire telephone line from Blaisdell to the mine, connecting with the pump.
 On my arrival at the mine the 10th of July I was surprised at the display of bunting. Every structure in the camp had from one to a dozen flag; flying, besides many of the houses were fancifully decorated with tri-col- Ored webbing. I was told that many of the better flags, some of them silk had been taken down. It gave the camp picturesque appearance. Pro rata of population, Phoenix was not ir it in the way of decorations on tht Fourth of July. The sports on that day were many and varied, closing with fine and costly display of fire works in the evening, principally al the expense of the owners of the mine
 To visit this mine is an object les. son. It shows what courage and capi tai can do, and desire to say that witt the rapid development of the minera resources of Yuma county it will b' record breaker as producer of min eral if the other counties in the terri tory do not look to their laurels.
 On my way saw some fine ore iron a new find by MT. Lyons, at .Coppe mountain, seventeen miles south o Tacna on the S. P. railroad, in Yum; county. On the surface the vein meas %xrno {xrf I'm a