The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-27
OALING OUT THE SHAFT
Moulton Mine Soon to Be in Ac-
tive Operation.
IDLE SINCE MARCH, 1894
The Min Has Filled Up With Water to
Within Forty Feet of the Surface.
A Description of the Mine.
Future Operations.

Great Falls, July 26.-To-day the man
agement of the Moulton mine al Mel
hart began III preparatory work Of
baling out the shaft and as soon as the
water is disposed of the mine will COM
mence active operation. The property
has lain idle ever since March, 1884,
when the price of silver dropped so low
hat the owners stopped work. pulled
out their pumps and allowed the mine
TO fill up to within 40 feet of the surface
of the shaft.
the following excellent description of
the mine and of future operations in it
is k from the Neihart Herald:
"The Diamond X. Mining company,
after four years of inactivity, has taken
the initiative steps to open up its prop
erty at Neihart. This company owns the
Moulton mine on Rock creek, where IL
has erected a magnificent shaft house,
equipped with engines and other ma
chinery of the latest model, including an
immense air compressor and a hoist ca
pable of sinking 1000 feet. Here they
have already sunk a three-compartment
shaft $50 feet deep, operated with two
improved mining cages, and containing
four stations from which levels run to
the vein. There is room In this mine
for working a force of 200 men, N in
its glory, 1928. an immense amount of
ore was X out of its depths.
Two immense steel buckets have been
made, by means of which the shaft and
lower works will be drained. The buck
cts are of steel, rectangular, to fit the
shaft, and fitted to the guides in the
same manner as the cages. They weigh
$500 pounds, and will hoist each 700
gallons of water per trip. A drop valve
in the bottom and one on the side open
to fill the bucket with water, and when
the big tank reaches the top a line ope-
rated by hand throws pen the side
alv and allows the water to discharge
into a nume. The buckets or n were
made by the Great Falls Iron Works
especially for this purpose. They will
be so arranged that one sinks while the
other hoists. 1t is estimated that three
weeks will be required to bale the mine,
which is a much shorter time than
would be required to pump 1t.
ION Wednesday arrived A. G. Nc
Donald from Butte, a machinist Of wide
experience, to oversee the work of re-
fitting the hoisting machinery. Mr.. Nc
Donald was here in 1892, when he served
as engineer for this company. He has
since been employed as top machinist
at the Parrot mines at Butte. Orrin Ire
land, who has been prospecting in the
Tenderfoot country all spring, was sent
for to take charge of the mine, pending
the arrival of the new superintendent.
1t is said that this latter situation will
be filled by Joseph Bryant. also of
Butte. and that he will be here soon. 1t
IS presumed that Mr.. ireland will hold
the position of foreman.
The intention of the company is to
clear all the levels. and begin the e&-
traction of ore, at the same time carry
ing on considerable development. The
force, starting off with about 30 men,
will be increased as the work advances.
TT is considered a great movement for
the benefit of Neihart and the surround
ing country. The Moulton in her palmy
days employed 200 miners, and 1t is not
improbable that she will soon again
have more than 100 on her payroll. 1t is
known that the Diamond r. people have
not given up the idea Of a concentration.
and that considerable experimentation
will be further made In this direction"