The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-04-22

plete Will cost In the nelgn0Orh00d OF
$50. 900 and will be one of the hand
soonest of any ever built in the
country.
"B" shaft for.which this mammoth
structure is erected Is now down to
the eleventh level and still sinking
to the twelfth when it will have OBJ
tanned a depth of 1925 feet. This is
also a strictly fireproof shaft not
stick of timber being used In its sink
ing. 1t is steel from top to bottom
and ls fine piece of engineering
skill, the entire shaft not varying
an inch in its entire depth. An.esti-
mate as to the probable cost of sink.
ing this shaft is placed by those fami-
liar with the work at about $50 per
foot, including steel and all. It is
estimated that the cost of the shaft
in case it did not work at all, would
be saved in few years on ventilation
alone. This may seem strange, but
experienced mining men make the
assertion that enormous amounts are
lost yearly by impure air. The Pio-
neer now clears itself in short order.
The power houses for hosting
through this shaft and shaft house
are located about 300 feet from the
shaft house. The machinery and
boilers of the same have all been set
and tested and as soon as the outside
improvements have been completed,
will be in working order. The MINER
a few months ago gave description
of the engines and machinery, suffice
it to say at this time that it is the
finest plant in the Lake Superior
country.
A coal trestle has been erected and
several cars can be dumped from the
track into the bins at the firing room.
In the winter the coal will be dumped
lnder the treStle and hoisted by
means of an elevator into the coal
bins.
The Duluth & Iron Range are re-
arranging their tracks to conform
with the new order of things and
yard and stockpile room will be had
in abundance. In order TO make the
stock pile room the company has been
forced to remove nine dwelling houses
with occupying families to location
more into the city.
The surface improvements at the
Pioneer now being made are estimated
at about Sl25, 900, a fact which bodies
well for the city of Ely. as it is a well
known fact that the U. S. Steel COM
pany is not spending quarter OF a
million dollars before realizing cent,
for The run of the thing. In fact it is
cnnservatively estimated that the
Pioneer has ore enough in sight to
mine 100000 a year for ten years.
The mine is now employing about
215 men and have 1000 tons of high
grade ore in stock. Three years ago
nearly three times as many men were
employed here but the retrenchment
of this year las played havoc with the
forces.
A rumOr was in circulation here a
few days age, haf The mine was to shut
down until Tie shipments started but
this rumor has been run to the earth
and no Immediate cause for a shut
down is apparent. Stockpile room is
at 4 premium but arrange
ments have been made for stocking
for month or more.
A piece Of work that should com.
mand attention is the building of a
new pumping station at the 18th level
of "a" shaft. The pump house is
55x20 and Is feet high, built of con-
crete. In this station is being placed
a Nordberg Corliss engine with Pre-
scott pump capable OF hosting to a
heighth of 1900 feet, 900 gallons of
water per minute. The pump is 1885
K % So and has been found necessary
as the Chandler and Pioneer both are
drained through this. The pumps on
the 9th level are still in position and
will be used as an emergency pump.
Ore has been opened up in the 18th
level Of "A" shaft 200 feet below the
10th level where mining is now being
done. How much deeper the ore goes
has not been ascertained.
The mines about Ely are at present
only employing about $50 men. Three
years ago something like 1900 were
employed, Should occasion demand
the same force could be again en-
ployed:
1t is to be sincerely hoped that con-
ditions will shape themselves In such
a manner as to make this possible.
AS this was put In type early In the week
and before the strike. those reading OF men
employed ETC.. can modify 1t to suit the
occasion. The Zenith. Sibley and Savoy
are still at WORKED.
Conference at Duluth.
w.