The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-08
STATIONS MINE.
The Property Which Has Made Its
Owner a millionaire.

owner millionaire.
IFronc the New Orleans Times-Demo-
craft
[From the Colorado Springs Gazette.
In view of the negotiations in progress
in London for the sale of the Independ-
ence mine, and which are nearing a
successful conclusion, the following his
tory and description of the property will
be read with interest:
The great Independence mine was
staked out on July 4, 1891, by Mr.. w.
). Stratton. 1t was not until some time
after this, however, that the richness
OF the property was fully established
and it became known as the very rich
est mine under a single ownership in
the world.
During the years that the Independ-
enc has been developed, Mr.. Stratton
has been quietly absorbing the sur
rounding properties and, at the time of
the sale, owned not only the Independ-
ence and Washington claims, as was
popularity supposed, but some dozen
other claims covering over 100 acres of
patented ground and comprising an inn
mense group on the south slope of Bat
tie mountain. The Independence claim
itself is practically in the center of all
this territory, SO that whatever way the
great ore body may turn or twist the
owners are sure of holding it. This is
all in line with the general careful pol
icy or Mr.. Stratton in the conduct of
his mine and which has allowed him to
make a net profit of 81, 1000 out of a
gross production of $4,000, 900, while at
the same time doing an enormous
amount of development work and MAX
ing vast and costly improvements.
The mine is now in shape for a very
heavy production for years to come
Mr. Richard announces $1,000, 900 in
sight, and viewing the present condi-
ton of the property, where to a depth
of 900 feet only stopping has to be done
to extract the riches, it may be taken
that-7O per cent of this gross value will
be returnable as net profit.
Taking over the mine in such SPLEEN
did condition as this is it will be read
lily seen that the English company have
a proposition which is bound to be an
enormous success.
The Independence first became known
as a producing mine in 1893, when at
the end of the year it had about $780,
600 net to its credit. About this time
other claims adjacent to it were ac-
CURED by the far-Sighted owner. From
this time and for the three succeeding
years, and largely from development
work alone, the production of the mine
in gold was something enormous though
the tonnage of ores from which the
same was obtained was smaller per-
hapS than that of some other noted
mines. Here again Mr.. Stratton showed
excellent foresight and good Judgment
in clearly outlining his we'll known
policy of reserVing the ore of his mine
OF the vast bodies Of ore opened up by
the operations of the three previous
years, not a pound must be taken out
1t must all be left intact as found, and
the future development of the mine
be opened, must pay it's own way and
in the upper levels, all ore discovered
and not Immediately needed must be
left in place in the same way, ready for
extraction at some time in the future
During the past two years this policy
has been, if possible, even more rigid
ly adhered to, especially in 1885, and
during all this time the production of
ore has been cut down to the lowest
point consistent with paying the ex-
pense incurred in developing the mine
and opening up new ore bodies. Mr.
STATIONS income from other sources
has enabled him to do this and thus
in the lower levels in the porphyry as
i'll the upper levels in the granite the
mine shows systematic DEVELOPMENT
and vast bodies of rich ore are blocked
out in sight, the value of which easily
reaches several millions of dollars
This statement is not a matter of s1ass
work. 1t is the well founded concur
rent testimony and report of competent
mining engineers, who have Secentlv
and separately examined the property
Ihe total length of drift in the mine
is well over 10000 feet, or about six
miles. The total length of the winze
and upraise is over 1900 feet. The main
shaft is in three compartments and is
four feet 10 inches by Is feet clear in
side measurement and is now sunk to a
depth of 800 feet, the lowest level in
the mine, where the pumping DIant is
located in an immense station cut out
to receive it. The plant consists of two
Snow compound condensing pumps of
d maximum capacity OF 1000 gallons
each. This capacity is greatly in ex-
cess of the present needs of the mine,
but is another evidence of the wise
foresight of the owner. Above, on the
6o0-foot level, there is left ready for
use at any time the Riedler pumping
engine of $685. gallon capacity, which was
once the pumping plant of the
mine. The steam plant consists of threEs
Heine water-tube boilers of 300 horse
power capacity each, or 900 in all
The hosting plant consists of two
first-motion engines of 300-horse power.
and smaller hoist for wOrkmen on re-
pairs in the shaft. Two air compres
sors, one Acknowledgements and one
NOrwalk compound 2Ox20 furnish com
pressed air for drills and other needful
purposes. Added to these is an electric
plant of 1,000-light capacity for lighting
the workings and premises above
ground. This is the actual working
plant of the mine, and while it NAV
not be the largest in the district it is
perhaps the most compact and durable
and was built especially for Mr. STRAIT
toms purposes. In capacity it is even
now beyond the present needs of the
mine and is ample for considerable en-
largement of operation in the future.