Idaho Springs siftings., 1903-12-26
THE Gem UPRAISE
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY GIGANTIC EN-
ciNEERING FEAT APPROACHING
COMPLETION.
SHAFT NOW DEEPEST IN COUNTY
IMMENSE ORE BODIES UNCOVERED
THAT WILL TAX MILLING CAPACITY
TO THE LIMIT.

The great three-compsrtment raise of
the Gem mine was begun in December,
| 1902. which time the work has been
steadily pursued with scarcely any inter
| ruption. Part of the undertaking was
done under contract tor raising 1000 feet.
The raise as completed is 1850 feet in
length. inclination So degrees, connecting
with the main shaft at the depth of 900
feet thus making total length for the
shaft of 1850 feet.
1t is noteworthy that in this stupendous
undertaking no lives have been lost, and
no serious accident occurred This is
certainly very fortunate, as in the most
carefully conducted mine operations ac-
cidents are expected. Mining is perilous
and although the experienced miner is of
necessity always on the lookout for cav
| ing rock and other incidents, he will
sometimes get caught.
The difficulty of raising 1850 feet
| through solid rock can only be properly
| appreciated by those who have been
there and carried out such undertakings.
There s,he ventilation to be looked after;
skill in timbering to be employed to
| withstand the shock and weight of the
| falling rock the power drills have to be
hauled up and down for each day s work,
beside the countless other details that
enter into the task. There is also the
cost to be considered, but with the trained
mine manager cost is simply the means
to an end and always has to be met be-
fore the best results are attained. BY
this, it is not to be understood that waste
full extravaganza is to be considered as
excusable in any case.
In the Case of the Gem upraise. great
credit is due to the management for the
conception Of the undertaking and the
successful issue. The work has been, as
we stated, steadily pursued since the
first drill was set at work. No matter
what the outlook from the viewpoint of
ore, the object was always kept in view,
and the first venfllating shaft fo- the
greai N wlousc bore is about oompit ted.
Not only that, we are given TO under
stand that the putting through of this
raise has opened body of ore that IS
sufficient in size TO keep all tile present
mills Of Idaho Springs tuy during 4
generation. and that means a great deal
The completion of tue Gem upraise
) opens vista of operation tor The Coz
solidated Gem prorerti that is illimit-
able in its possili i,ies. a slight con
! ception of this can only c arrived at BY
: those acquainted with the various hold
. ings of the comram When Mr.. Rcn-
: shaw was acquiring al the various mines
E ON both sides of Gibson gulch, he was
o forming nsolidation OF producers
o that separately had an enviable record i,
i bit AS a harmonious whole and suscepf-
Il ibie Of being operated through one thor
L ougnfAre, as will ultimately be the case
Il would be among the big producers OF ore
n IN the world. That he had in mind at
e the time the connection of the Gem shaft
/. eith the tunnel, there is no reasonable
o doubt, and it is now clear that this is only
a the beginning of the work of connecting
y all those properties.
; At the collar of the Gem shaft there IS
y one Of the finest electrical holsters in the.
/. state, capable of sending the shaft an
& other 1000 feet deeper than the tunnel
y level. II is not probable that auy sink
S ing will be necessary for years to cone.
but that, of course, will depend upon
what will be uncovered at that level in
the various members of the groap
! Should there be rich pay ore found al
= that level ueceSSitafiuu f,r,i,,r as.t..,.
to get at it miner fashion, the holster is
already i'll place 10 start the work at a
moments notice.
1t Will take some time to place the
raise in the shape for performing all the
duties required. Levels will have to be
started al regular distances, and part of
the raise viii be set apart for mammoth
, ore chute down which will pour the pro-
7 duce OF the different properties.
! By next spring everything should be in
, fine working order in the mine, and the
1000 ton mill can not be built too soon.
County Treasurer Nicholas this week
sent out postal cards which proved very
interesting to the recipients in various
ways. They contained notices to the tax
payers that their assessment for the year
1908 had been turned over by the assessor
10 the treasurer, with the amounts that
wonld be expected to be cheerfuly cough
ed up next year by those fortunate enough
10 have the wherewith. The amounts
} this year show reduction over that Of
last year owing to the reduced levy.