Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-12-02
The Caledonia Mines.

D
claims 300x5O0 feet, which are situated
on Lightning creek, about seven miles
west of Custer City, Custer county, s. d.
The Caledonia proper is located in the
middle OF the group, which has received
the greater part of the development
work and has been opened in fve differ
ent places, each opening disclosing
separate and distinct vein.
The discovery shaft is down about S5
feet, and shows vein Of quartz, mingled
with iron oxide, Of an average width of 3
feet. This vein carries an excellent
grade of ore from the top to the bottom,
though varying somewhat in different
places in the vein, the best samples
yielding as high as $2s5 per ton in gold.
The second shaft is situated about 200
feet north from the s,..SsSvery. and has
attained depth of35 feet. This open
Ing exposes vein fully 10 feet across,
which, although not Of the highest
grade, should be considered the most
important vein which has been thus far
discovered in the group. The average
value of the ore in this large vein, as
shown by the return certificates as
tested by fire assay is $40 per ton in gold.
There are three other openings which
are situated between the three foot vein
on the south, and ten foot vein on the
north. These are all cross veins run
ming east and west, and are disclosed by
shallow shafts from to Is feet in depth
In each Of these openings are shown
small veins, not more than three inches
in width at the top, but widening as
they descend, with a slight dip to the
south, attaining width at the bottom
of the shaft of from to 12 inches OF
solid quartz. The ore from each Of
these cross veins ia very rich in free
gold, as shown by oft repeated tests by
pan and mortar, the gold being course,
round shot gold. even the states on
either side (Which is more or less de-
composed) yielding we'll in the precious
metal. The quartz mingled with some
irony slate, yielded by assay as high as
$63. The pan tests showing about half
Of that amout by careful estimate with
out weighing. In addition to the free
gold, there is in all the ore from these
veins whether running north and south,
or east and west, heavy concentrate
which has not been tested.
| E.o,o al ;ol;oot;ona thoso ,noe.n -
have been disposition on the part OF
the owner of this property to neglect
the main vein of the lower grade ore,
giving preference to the smaller high
grade cross assures, all Of which we can
but regard as mistake. For while we
do not underyalue the smaller cross
veins. we belief their chief benefit will
be found as adjuncts, and feeders. to the
large north and south veins which they
cross at nearly right angles.
We will say for the benefit of those
not familiar with the locality, that the
formation here is slate, of the archean
or old micacious variety, with in
trusions OF granite in the vicinity on the
west, while the veins are in contact in
part with diorite, and in some places
with stretches of hornblende and mica
schist. The general formation runs
northwesterly to which the two larger
veins seem partially to conform, but not
entirely so, as in places their strike to
to the north is quite independent, and
they cut the formation at slight angle
The ground in the gulch below these
claims has been worked for placer since
the early days, and is still worked at 9
profit whenever there issufficient water
flowing in the creek for the purpose
This fact has always been considered a
sure sign of rich quartz veins crossing
the gulch above, and many of the rich.
est veins in all mining camps have been
discoyered by this means. Whether
these veins were first found in this way
we know not, but it is certain that the
rich cross assures were not so found, as
they are the result of recent prospecting
done by the owner. and have been dis
covered during the current year of 1899
In view of all we have seen during a
casual visit to the ground, We can but
regard this property as of great promise
and among the very best which our dis
trict affords. We are surprised that il
has not been brought to the front before
and can ascribe no other reason for it!
haying been kept in the back grou nc
except that its owner has made no
effort to bring it to notice, but on the
contrary has always been two conserva
tive, and even reticent in regard to wha
he had. We confidently expect in the
near future to be able to give further
and favorable report of this group oi
mines. rs their true merits can now nc
longer be concealed.
The property is owned by Mr.. John
Bueter, late of the city of Dead VI ood
but who for the last two years has made
his home at the mine, where he is gen
orally found ready to meet his friend,
and greet them in bis whole. hearted
old fashioned German style.
1 ~s
General Manager f. G. Hill of Sioux
City, O'Neill and Western railroad died
Thursday in Sioux City, of arsenic pois
oning, having eaten breakfast food in