The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-09
THE RIGHT DIRECTION
An Immense Electric Hoist for
the War Eagle.
LARGEST IN THE WORLD
A Great Copper Discovery Made in the
Mojave Desert - The New Find
Easily Accessible Strikes
in the Vernal.

The War Eagle at Rossland is talk
ing what it believes to be step in the
right direction towards .the perfection
point. both as to practicability and
economy. 1t has done nothing more
or less than install an electric hoist,
an immense one too.
The starting of the new electric hoist
which it is announced will take place
SINE time. this week, only a small por-
ed Feb. l. is an important event in
mining history in more ways than one,
argues the Sponkane Chronicle. 1t will
not only have undisputed title to being
the largest electric hoist in the world,
but it will be claimant for the honor
of being the largest hoist of any kind
1t marks the beginning of a new era
in mining operation in the Northwest:
an era during which many predict that
electricity will take the place of steam
and water as the motive power used in
mining.
The starting of this big plant is a
momentous incident in the history of
the entire Northwest, and especially of
the Trail Creek country, for the reason
that the War Eagle is the first of the
great mines to adopt electricity as mo-
tive power. A few small electric
plants are in operation in various sec
tons of the Northwest and there is
small one in Rossland which has been
IN operation for several weeks, but none
are as important or will compare in
size with that of the War Eagle.
Continuing, the paper says that cleo
tricity is said to be a much cheaper
motive power than steam which has
harpf nfprn
power used in mining operations in the
Northwest. One reason why it has not
come more into use was the conserva-
tism of the average mine management.
Each superintendent has been waiting
Tor the other to test the utility and
prove its advantages over steam, be-
fore he would make the trial. Another
reason is that most of the mines and
mining properties are already supplied
With plants and did not care to go to
the expense of making the change
from steam to an electrical plant
Soon, however, it is believed the ad-
vantages of the electric energy over
steam power will become apparent.
This will continue till steam plants will
be the exception and not the rule, which
is the case at present.
It is commended. too, by some that
the Compressed Ali. company, when it
begins to market its product, will be-
that is supplying electricity. which it
cannot afford to despise. 1t is expect
ed that there win be sharp rivalry
between the sellers of compressed air
and electricity for the trade of the min
ers. Each. however, will play an i'm
portant part in the development and
upbuilding of the Northwest because
the result Of the presence of competi-
tion will be reduction in the cost of
mining.
Many Montana mining men will
without straining their thinkers, recall
their visits to the Mojave country a
few years ago when that place was re-.
sarded as the only Mecca for the am
bilious prospector. Little has been
heard of that country since 1897, when
mining experts went there and returned
to their respective homes and reported
adversely. Recently George Blakely,
we'll known and reliable mining man of
Utah, returned from the Mojave coun-
try, and from the reports brought back
by him and the samples of ore he
showed 1t is evident to some that he
has found one of the largest copper
mines ever discovered in the West
According to Mr.. Blakely, the ledge
on this property is strong and promi-
nent, outcropping boldly, the vein being
IL feet in width 101a feet of which
carries average values of 22.5 per cent.
in copper to the ton. Three feet of the
ledge is richer than this, while in it
there are smaller bodies going so per
cent in the red metal to the ten.
The new find. Mr.. fBlakely informed
the Salt Lake Herald, is easily Access
sble, while the country abounds in
water and timber and other convent
ences, so that the mine can be worked
profitably Notwithstanding it's isolated
location.
Interested with Mr. Blakely in the
find are Colonel H. L. Pickett. the well
known mining attorney of this city, NJ
M. Miller the Texas capitalist and J.
A. Larson, p-ospector and miner who
was with Mr.. Blakely at the time of
the discovery and location of this pros
pective bonanza, for such the owners
consider it, and it is the intention to
begin work at once in its operation. as
Mr.. Blakely will leave the city for the
South to-day, stopping at Pixies Dig
gings to see how development is pro-
crossing at the Blakely gold mine from
which place he will Immediately go on
down to the copper with force of men,
it being more than likely that within
month regular shipments of this copper
ore to the Salt Lake market will begin
the consignments to be loaded on the
cars of the Utah & Pacific at Sulphur
Springs, the present terminus of the
road.
and prospector, who has discovered and
sold more than one big property in
Colorado, California and the West.
Additional reports of rich strikes
come from Nernal. A new strike is re-
ported six miles north of Harper's
ranch, which it is said gives indications
of being the biggest strike yet made
The ore is said to carry considerable
iron and is believed to be rich in gold.
Repeated experiments have demon
strated that in all of the gravel lying
along the base of the range fine gold
in quantities ranging from 2 to cents
to the pan can be washed. This is
taken as evidence that great deposits
exist in the vicinity.
James Hacking exhibited some very
fine specimens in town yesterday which
carry fine values in the yellow metal,
as demonstrated by repeated tests.
Mining men are predicting the biggest