Arizona republican., 1899-06-01
An Old One But Just Nov Con-
 ing Into Prominence.
ITS WORKINGS KEPT SECRET
ThG Helmet Peak, inc Wedge and ffanV Others in inc Oliver Dis friCt One Of the Richest Mineral Regio0S of Pima CouEfy-H Gold Strike Hade Near BiSb c Said 10 Be Very Rich.

Olive District, May 29.-6Specia; cor
 respondence of The Republican )-The
 San Xavier mine, which is one of the oldest producers of silver in southern Arizona, is located in this district.
 This mine was recently purchased by Messrs, Meyer, Clark and Rowe of the i Kansas City Smelling works, and since these gentlemen took hold of the prop erty they have had about forty men at work in developing the great bodies of low grade ores preparatory to min
 ing on an extensive scaie. From A. w. Forbes, the superintendent of the
 mine, I learned that a large force of men would be put at work in the mine as soon as arrangements can be made for carrying on such operations. The development of the mine is said to be extensive, but as newspaper reporters are forbidden entrance to the work ings just now, this is not known defi- nitely. The history of the San Xavier mine, however, is such that no one doubts the future of the mine as great producer. Ever since it was dis covered by Fritz Contzen in the early '70s it has been a wonder of Olive camp, and there seems to be a gen. eral opinion among miners who have worked in the mine that it can be op- erated with immense profit with silver at tho
 
 The Olive district is south of the Pima district, eight miles west of the Martinique mines, and about twenty miles south of Tucson. During the early days ''chloriding" was carried on extensively by miners in this district Many rich silver bearing veins were discovered, and the most of them are still as rich as ever, but their product does not command a price which makes them profitable. The camp is deserted by prospectors and copper is now taking up their time and atten- tion. Michael Irish, J. c. Baxter, John Ellis, and the Allison brothers own mines in this district, the latter gen. tlemen having just completed 100 feet of work upon the property. The most of the claims were abandoned here three years ago when silver went down to 70 cents and made them unprofit- able. One of the old silver producers of this camp is the Matcbless which in the palmy days of it's life produced many fortunes. E. B. Clifford and AL ison brothers were the original own CTS Of the Match,ess, and they leased the mine to Joe Scott, John DeVinne and Joe Sterret, who took out consider able wealth before the price of silver dropped. The Speculation group was purchased in 1892 by the Westing- was expended in surface operations, but no ore was shipped. This mine is now owned by Bob Roberts and Selim Franklin. Messrs. DeVinne and Scott also worked the Olive mine, which was owned by Captain ]. K Brown of the Sahuarita ranch in the Santa Cruz val ley. They found good shipping ore and made considerable money by their operations. Mr. Brown sold this mine some time ago to Rogers and Allison and these gentlemen disposed Of it to Wheeler & Perry of Tucson, who turned it over to the present owner, Nick Corda.
 The Wedge mine in this camp has been the property of John Ellis, Mike Irish and J. G. Baxter for the past ten years and they have realized a great deal of money from the rich silver vein. When the demand came for copper mines these gentlemen aban- doned their silver mine and located claims which are now included in the camp Charles Dougherty and Joe Scott took several thousand dollars out of the old Helmet Peak silver mine last year. The ore of this mine, which was taken out at that time, ran seventy dollars in gold and several hundred dollars in silver to the ton. It was a rich streak which still good values. The Michigan Maid was one Of the best producers of silver in Olive camp. It was discov- cred in the early days by Fred Steven son, and was afterward worked by Captain J. K. Brown and Allison whose operations were prof table. Owne Doyle is the present owner of the mine. The Richmond mine lent her share toward giving prominence to Olive camp in the days ,f silver mining, and the wealth of the world was added to by her rich work ngs. Among the sales recorded in this old district was that of the Old
 (Continued on Seventh Page.l