The Elk Mountain pilot., 1902-05-20
TIMES AND MINING.

The developments in local minig clr-
cles during the last week are very en-
1t has been an unusually |
favorable spring, and work will begin |
earlier this year than ever before. In
quiries from many eastern parties have
reached the PILor asking how soon sup
plies can be gotten to outly ing camps.
The roads are open to Irwin, Pittsburg,
Elko and Gothic. Heavy hauling has
begun, and as the snowfall during the
winter was very light, the trails to iso-
lated mines will be passable by the first
of June. 1t would probably be well to
review the situation in the different
camps, and note the prospects for busy
summer.
IRWIN,
The Ruby Mining, Co., j. X. Halo
we'll, local manager, has raised the old
Venango mine, and it is again in shape
to take it's former position among the
mines Of Irwin, which was that OF pro-
ducer. The Venango was among the
earliest locations, and was considered
one of the bonanzas that figured in the
boom of the early SOS. 1t has always
been known as silver-lead proposition,
though it is said that other values have
greatly enhanced its value
The Forest Queen which is controlled
by the same company, has been succese-
fully drained, by lowering the 800 foot
level to the Ruby King tunnel, and can
now be operated with considerable less
expense, and = corresponding increase
in production, in the future.
The Ruby Chief, first location in the
camp in 1879, and property that has
sold for ar enormous price, will be work
ed again as soon as the necessary ar
rangements can be made for supplies.
The Chief is owned by the &C. M. 4 M.
Co., ]. G. Berryhill, Of Dee Moines, Iowa,
president.
The operation of many other proper
ties in the vicinity of Irwin apparently
depend upon contingencies, the principal
one being the price of silver, which is OF
course uncertain, and will ever be SO
long as present conditions exist.
GOTHIC.
The interest being manifested in this
camp ie unusual, and augurs well for
its future. The Sylvanite is working
steady, and will employ large force Of
men all summer.
The Maroon group, Copper Queen,
Copper creek tunnel and others will re-
sumo operations in the near future.
Our plea for an independent smelter,
which was commented on by the Denver
Post which expressed the opinion that
there were no Independent smelters in
Colorado, is to be realized as nearly as
possible by the installment OF copper
matte process. This will account for the
increased activity at Gothic, and the
new interest taken in what was once
considered the greatest camp in the Elk
| mountains will be amply rewarded.
! WASHINGTON GULCH.
This is the locality Of early day placer
renown, but the lode miner crowded out
the placer man, and has for years been
| searching for the lead from which placer
gold must have como. Many claims
have been staked, and considerable de-
velopment work done. The most i'm
portant claim is the Painter Boy, located
by George Nc Cay in the early 70s. Mr..
McCay last year organized company
composed OF Pueblo capitalists, and will
proceed to gain greater depth in the
old workings. The Painter Boy has
produced some Of the richest ore ever
mined in this region. A carload of
machinery arrived recently, and will be
installed as eoon as possible.
PITTsBuRG.
The Augusta, as it always has been, is
the foremost mine OF Pittsburg. This