The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
MORE THAN Hay OR FRUIT.
Western Montana Has a Lot of
Productive Mines.
PLACER RETURNSARE GOOD
Some OF the Famous Old Dlggings Have
Recently Yielded New Treasure.
Promising Quartz Mines
Being Opened

through its lumber and farming inter-
ests it has played no small part in the
mining development of Montana. 1t
first gold was found in Montana. On
the banks of Gold creek long before
the stampede of treasure seekers over
ran the state, a half-breed PANIED out
colors and later there was considera BILE
mining on this creek and its neighbor-
ing streams. Then came the rush to
Eastern Montana and then back again
to the western slope came the miners
and prospectors. Bear gulch yielded it's
treasure and then Cedar creek was the
goal Of the hunters after gold
On Gold creek there is still placer
mining carried on and the Standard
recently told of the successful opera
tons of LaCasse brothers on the old
diggings at Cedar. In California gulch.
in Oregon gulch and on Trout and
Quartz creeks, there is now successful
placer mining carried on. These
streams are still yielding paying re-
turns and there is every indication that
they will continue to do so for several
years. There are many men employed
in this work and the appliances are
much superior to those that We're used
in the old times. From the tailings OF
the old workings many thousand dol
lars have been taken out within the
past few years, especially on Cedar
creek.
But, as is the case in other parts OF
the state, the chief interest in mining
circles has been transferred to the
quartz mines. Up in Bear gulch, above
where the old placer camp was located,
there has been some important quartz
work done recently. The story of the
Nancy Hanks and it's rich yield of gold
has been told frequently. In the same
nelghborhood are other mines that are
coming into prominence as the work
that is being done on them progresses.
DR.. Peter MussiSbrod has been success
fully mining and milling his ore for
several years and his work this year
has been remarkably successful. He
has a considerable force of men en-
ployed and that he is making a profit
able run is encouraging others in that
direction to continue their work. Not
tar from this place, in fact. close to the
old placer camp, is located the new
cyanide plant of the Montana &, Denver
Reduction company. This new plant,
which has been constructed during the
past summer and fall, is designed to
treat the ores of the district in which it
is centrally located. It's superintendent
and manager, 4. l.. Browne has had
long experience with this class Of ore
and it is expected that the plant will
have plenty of business from the start.
There is the old Mammoth. which will
contribute large amount of ore and
other newer properties will be devel-
oped so as to furnish enough to give
the reduction works all that they can
conveniently handle. This plant will
prove a great incentive to the develop
ment of this entire district.
In the Harvey creek country and on
Rock creek the collapse of the Golden
Scepter company has caused a setback
in development work, though the
Shaushnessy group of mines is being
successfully operated and Mr.. Shaugh-
messy has a small stamp mill that is
said to be giving good returns. There
are undoubtedly some excellent proper
ties in this district and when is con-
dence is restored their development will
be continued.
As soon as there is snow enough for
a GOOD winter road, ore shipments will
begin from the Copper Cliff district
This is looked upon as one of the most
promising fields of the state The ore
is high in copper and carries good
amounts Of gold and silver. Not much
development work has been done eX-
cept upon one or two of the properties
here. but smelter tests have been made
of the ore that gave satisfactory and
encouraging results. There is no doubt
that the results of the winter ship
ments that will be made during the
next two or three months will be such
that permanent road will be built at
once into this camp. Many Of the own
ers of properties in this district have
been offered good round sums for their
mines. but they are so confident of the
fin 1lYn nj h hot No, 1,r1I
ing on. Experts who have examined
the camp have reported favorably upon
the mines and, if the quality of the ore
is all that is claimed for it. the camp
Will soon become an important one for
there is mountain of the ore there.
During the past season there has been
renewed activity in the old Wallace
district. This lies between the railway
station of Clinton and Camas prairie,
and there has been prospecting done
there for many years. Not until lately
however has there been any extensive
development work attempted on any of
the properties. Judge Stephens has
done a lot of work this year and has
obtained some high grade ore from his
mine. Within the past few months
there have been several complete steam
hosting plants introduced in the dis
trict and with these the development
of some of the mines is being pushed
good ore taken from this
district, and those who are interested
are confident that the fame of the old
Charcoal mine will be renewed in some
of the newer shafts.
On Lolo next season there will be
some important work done in both
placer and quartz mining. w e. Bass
has been at work there all the past
season with good results, and the re-
cent large transfer of mining ground
there to capitalists insures extensive |
work next season. Among those who
have large interests in the I4olo cOun-
try is Postmaster Keep, and he is one |
of the believers in the mines of this |
section. The ore contains considerable |
copper and gives good returns in gold |
In addition to the placer operations |
in the lower country, there is prepara- |
ton now being made for the installa- |
ton of big pumping plant on Trout |
creek that will, it is expected do the |
work for which the old drain ditch |
there was started. A road is now being |
built up the creek that will be extend |
ed TO Deep gulch, and this will be made !
so as to have it ready for the trans
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