Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1903-06-17
Part l..
MINlNc INTERESTS.

Chapter S.

While this il not considered essential
ly mining region, yet there are two
districts, one to the north and one to
the south Of Deming, which are of
more than ordinary interest not
only for the amount and value of the
ore taken from them, but also for the
natural curiosities 10 be found in them.
1t Is the former Of these that we aim
to describe in this article. Cooks
Peak is lone mountain, or rather
small range Of mountains, rising from
the open plain about 20 miles north of
Deming. This little range runs from
the southeast toward the northwest,
and the highest point or peak, rises
rather south of the center of the range.
The mineral belt Is a strip about a mile
in width extending from the base Of the
mountain on the east side over the top
at the north of the peak TO point
about miles away at the base on the
west. This district is exclusively
lead camp lying for the most part in
lime formation, these ores carry small
quantities of silver and trace of gold
The first discovery of mine, ais in this
district was in 1880, when two hardy
adventurers who had travelled over a
large portion Of the great Rocky
Mountain country hunting for fortune,
defied the hostile Indians who were
then quite troublesome here and began
work at the very summit of the ridge
short distance to the north Of the
peak. These men, Lon lrington and
Ed Orr by name, made a rich strike at
the grass roots and located number of
claims which they called the Montezu-
ma mine. These properties have been
owned and worked by various parties
and, while the workings are not deep
they cover large extent of ground and
have produced immense quantities Of
ore. The mineral here is found in
pockets in the lime and in working out
these pockets a large number of shafts
have been sunk, reaching perhaps a
hundred in number
Aside from the mineral value taken
from these mines they have an unusual
interest for explorers and curiosity
seekers on account Of the many natural
peculiarities they possess. All
through these workings caverns Of va
rious sizes have been found many of
them SLED with the quaintest and most
beautiful chrystal formations. Many
hundred pounds Of these chrystal speci-
mems have been shipped east and sold
at good prices but the rarest and most
beautiful Of these was only viewed by
few who opened up the room where
it lay hidden by the Creator. The fol-
lowing description Of this wonderful
piece Of natures handy.wOrk was given
by Mr.. William Cotton, who discovered
it, toa friend and by him to the writer;
He said: I'VE were sinking on mar
row stringer when we broke through
into a broad open room perhaps 50 feet
across and l2 feet high, extending from
the floor and roof were hundreds Of
spikes Of the most exquisitly pure white
rock ground and figured by some pow
er more perfect and delicate
than the hand of the most expert
sculptor and in the center, as though Il
were the last dream Of the gods, was
perfect tree rising from the floor Of
the cavern and extending to the roof,
with limbs and foliage of the puresI
milky white and penciled as delicately
as the fern and thrown over this, like
lovely bride, was veil Of the finest
gossamer web; but so delicate was this
child Of the cavern that Il could NOT
stand the rude jostle Of human work
and the first view of Il was the only one,
after which It vanished like the mist.
The first blast that was exploded after
the room was opened crumbled Il IA
dust and only the memory Of Il remaina
as no description can convey an idea OF
its beauty"