The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1902-05-08
Two Pound Mug
gets From Sill
yer Peak.

S. A. Knapp came in from Hawthorne
few evenings ago, and brought word
Of bonanza strike in the Silver Peak
mines, that eclipses anything found in
Nevada for many years. 1t throws
Klondike and Cape Nome in the shade.
mne-the Blairs of New Jersey-put
force Of men to work in the tunnel.
This tunnel cuts seventy foot ledge of
ore. The foreman noticed very rich
streak of few inches in width and de-
cided to follow it. He did so with such
success that four days ago the rich stuff
opened up to full width of the drift.
Il was reliably informed said Mr..
Knapp, "that nuggets OF pure gold, the
sizc of a mans fist were taken out. and
that there are many of these pieces Of
gold OF various Sizes The whole face Of
the drift. apart from the nuggets-the
ore itself-was estimated To go Si00
or $500 a ton
1t is said that over 100000 was taken
out In a few hours the first day OF the
strike, and naturally that section is more
than excited over the discovery, for the
Silver Peak mines, which are conceded
to have more ore in sight than any other
mine in the world, have always been
supposed to be rather low grade ore
proposition.
Now, however, with one jump, it ap-
pears that they are promising to come to
the front rs one OF the richest mines in
the world.
Another report from the mine is ex-
pected shortly and it is believed that it
will be but further confirmation of the
big strike.
Not much effort has been made to
work the Silver Peak mines for some
years. 1t is the property of the Blairs,
and they appear to have other business
that is of more interest TO them than
mining, Cor they have not attempted to
work the mine themselves ana on the
ether hand did not care to SELL Litiga-
tion has been the order for a number Of
years but now that is all settled, the last
being the denial 10 the United States
Court of this city, to dissolve az in juno
ton issued against Harris.
A gentleman who desired to negotiate
for the purchase OF the property received
letter from the owners, recently, in
forming hnn that they would take $780,
600 for the mines, spot cash; that they
would not bond it for one day, nor grant
single hours time on the payments.
The whole amount must be paid in one
lump OF cold cash at once. The writer
of the letter informed the would-be pur-
chaser that were their relations changed,
he was free to admit that he would not
give this sum of money for the mines,
but nevertheless refused to sell for any
less.
This candid statement has been felt to
be a barrier to ambitious purchasers, for
men who will pay nearly three-quarters
of million dollars spot cash for mining
property, without working it awhile, and
making time payments, are rather scarce.
Now, however, it is not likely that the
owners will allow the property TO lie idle
any longer. In fact the impression pre-
walls in Hawthorne that the owners have
been heard from and it is their intention
to at once begin mining.
The opening up of the Silver Peak
mines calls for the building of railroad
to the mines, dis ance OF about 5S
miles from Capdelaria, and the bringing
in of water for power, about twenty
miles, although there Is water enough on
the ground for milling purposes. A we'll
known mining engineer reported some
years ago that there was ore enough 10
sight in the Silver Peak mines to main
tain camp OF 5000 inhabitants indei-
nitely. Many other good claims are in
the district, which are not owned by the
Blair company.
This strike will probably assist Tono-
pah to secure its much needed railroad.
Such railroad would be constructed
from Candelaria, on the G. & G. to Sill
yer Peak, So miles: from Silver Peak to
Lone Mountain, where forty foot ledge
OF $3.50 ore was cut this week, Ii miles; /;
and from Lone Mountain to Tonopah,
the rreaiest miniun q ANN en- the man