Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-07-08
Mining Items.

1
The shaft on the Viglante in the
Dansby district has reached a depth of
1876 feet.
| A force Of men are engaged on the
Russell mica mines, five miles east of
Custer, clearing the mine of water PIE
paratory to resuming work on the same.
The property is owned by the st. LOUIS
Mica Co.
Owing to foul air in the workings,
operations had to be suspended on the
Lizzie mine the latter part of last week.
A force of men have been engaged
putting in a blower, and it is expect
ed that work in the crift will
be resumed early the coming week.
Latest reports from the Spokane mine
are that the shaft has reached the depth
Of 200 feet from which a drift is being
run, and the vein has widened out to
l6 feet This is good news as it gives
assurance of profitable and permanent
mine. Mr.. s. E. Young, who is now in
Deadwood on business, is superintend-
ent.
Considerable hydraulic mining is be-
ing done on along Castle Creek, near
Mystic, in Pennington county, says .he
Black Hills Mining Review. The water
is pumped up to az elevation and is
then used through pipes, the gravel and
dirt being washed into sluice boxes. 1t
is cheap way ofmining and those oper-
ating on this creek are meeting with
great success.
We learn by recent advices that Mr.
L. B. Parker, who represents Colorado
Co.. and who was here examining the
mineral resources of this camp has pur-
chased the Alexander stamp mill at
Four Mile for experimental pur poses
He has also purchased Whitley concen-
traitors, which will be put in, and a
thorough test will be made on several
of the best concentrating propositions
tributary to Custer, and as they are
thorough mining men, much good may
be expected to accrue from their efforts
WHY PRosPECToRs WANT TO SELL.
Of mines which pay comparatively
few would ever become valuable with
out the aid of capital, and this pri-
mary requisite the claim owner usually
lacks. He may have muscle and grit
and may be willing to work faithfully
to the end, but at best his efforts will
deyelop the mine specifically. Those
who are fortunate enough to own
claim so fayorably located that the
development can he accomplished by
means Of tunnels have an easier road
to fortune than those who must sink
shaft to accomplish the same pur-
pose. In the case cash is necessary
for the purchase of tools and supplies.
The facility with which a mine may
be opened depends wholly upon its
situation. Those ideal locations,
where the vein may be opened by
adits with thousand feet of backs; (;
where there is an abundance of fine
timber to be had for merely cutting
1T; where splendid water power is
situated at the foot of the hill, and
where every ton of ore is rich, are not
often found. Good prospects, which
have developed into great mines, in
many cases have been situated in a
region difficult Of access, timberless and
devoid of water, at least for power, and
with every conceivable disadvantage
surrounding them. These mines required
capital to equip and develop them, and
the result has been satisfactory to the
investor. The prospector who fortu-
nately finds a vein of ore from which
he can ship with profit at once, needs
no capital, indeed capital Immediately
seeks him and endeavors to purchase
his claim, usually at price consider
ably below what the finder thinks it is
worth. The other prospector who found
vein of low-grade ore is helpless with
out financial aid, and realizing his help
lessness. while firmly believing in the
value of his property, he looks to those
having capital to invest in his mine.
In consideration of these facts, the
question so often put to the prospector,
"Why do you wish to sell your mine il
it is so good thing? is as absurd as il
would be to ask the owner of high.
grade property, "Why do you not sell
your mine since it is so good 2"- Mining
and Scientific Press.