The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-11
Notwithstanding
DELAYED BY FLOODS
Ore Docks and Approaches of Min
nesota Iron Roads.
EXPLORATIONS ON SECTION 80
Fee Owners Make II Start on The ir
Own Account-Bidders for
a. the Property.

Special to The Journal.
Duluth, Mimi, April 1.-THE floods in
the far northwest have delayed the COM
pletlon of ore docks and approaches for
the three Minnesota iron carrying roads
SO that Mother the large docks fSthe
Duluth Iron Range and the Eastern
minnesota, nor the approaches OF the Du-
luth, Missabe & Northern will be done
within month or two of the time con-
templated.
Daily shipments over the Duluth Il Iron
Range now reach about 1900 tons, and
over the Duluth. Missabe & Northern and
Eastern Minnesota combined they are
little more. The Duluth & Iron Range is
hauling now as a regular thing trains OF
seventy cars averaging about twenty
eight tons each and the new system is
working very satisfactorily.
Few open pit mines have commenced
shipment yet. but steam shovels are
working in the stockpiles that have ac
cumulated during the winter. These are
solidly frozen, however. Stripping Is
under way at the various mines where
such work is contemplated for the year
and without extreme hindrance from the
frost
Many drills and exploring outfits are
being started in Itasca county, on the
western extension Of the Mesaba range.
The fee owners of section 80, Messrs.
Eaton, Lronstorf, Merritt and Pagan, are
beginning some explorations on their own
account. The only work ever done on the
lands they now own here was by the
Minnesota Iron company some years ago,
when its title was supposed to be valid.
rhen drilling was done for a short time.
NO one aside from the company and its
successors knows what was encountered.
A short time ago Miller & Brown sunk a
shaft near the line between the Eaton &
Merritt tract and the Mcdonald forty
that thew pXD1Orinp and the
report Is that they were in large body
OF ore pitching upon the Eaton & Merritt
land. Offers have been made these fee
owners by at least two concerns, one for q
lease at so cents royalty and a bonus Of
something like $250.000 and the other a
straight 50 cent royalty. The minimums
on both propositions were large. 1t is ex-
pected that another bidder for this prop
erty will appear in the person of large
concern that is not yet identified with
mining In this field and some develop
ments of the past week on the Mar
Quette range would indicate that this con-
Germ will have the active assistance OF one
OF the fee owners.
The. McComber property in township GO,
range IA, has been optioned to Messrs.
Swift and Fay of Duluth and Yawkey OF
Detroit. Mich, and will be explored at
once. The fee IS owned by the Steward
Iron company, the stock Of which is held
by d Minnesota man.
Work has been discontinued on the Nc
Donald forty Of section 30, township 60,
range II, where the Midway company has
been exploring for some time
VI. D. Hull, ct al, have commenced suit
10 clear title to their lands in section g.
township 81 range 20, where they have
recently found some ore of good quality.
The suit is directed against the S. Des-
sau company, which was assignee of an
option OF. this property year ago, and
which abandoned work there after sink
Ing shaft short distance.
The Hale mine is shipping to Two Har-
bors, and will mine about 100000 tons
this years It Is the property OF the Co.
lonial Mining company under lease
The Hull mine IS shipping heavily and
steam shovel has been put in abe stock
pile which IS very large. The other
Hibhing properties operated by the Min
nesota Iron company are very busy in pre-
paration and shipping.
The Morrow mine is 4 new property. ad.
joining the Pillsbury, and Is sinking 9
working shaft.