Gilpin observer., 1905-12-14
NEWS FROM The MINES and MILLS

Some base metal mines are quite as
satisfactory to own as gold or silver
mines, says the San Francisco Press.
The Bunker Hill and Sullivan lead-sil-
yer mine has gradually increased its
output until 1t is now enabled to pay
monthly dividend of $1S0,000. Some
| or the larger copper mines of the
United States are more profitable than
most of the gold mines, while in Mis-
souri, large profits are derived from
zinc and lead deposits lying close to
the surface and in which only compar-
atively limited capital is invested.
The report comes from New York
that contract between the American
i Smelling Company and the National
Lead Company, whereby the former
will supply the latter with pig lead,
will play an important part in the pro-
posed merger negotiations between the
National Lead and United Lead COM
panies. The American Smelling and
Refining Company, it is said, will sign
this contract provided a merger of the
National Lead Company and the
United Lead Company is effected. A
representative of the American Smelt-
ing and Refining Company says the
latter concern is not directly inter-
ested in the merger. The smelter COM
pany, they say, does not propose to alb
sorb the National or United companies,
but is simply working to effect a con-
solidation of the two.
The output for December will eclipse
all previous months of the year both in
| tonnage and the value of ore, says the
Cripple Creek correspondent of the
Denver News. From all quarters the
cry for empties is heard from the min
ing men who are desirous of rushing
out ore. The samplers are crowded
with mineral and the big Eagle plant
on Battle Mountain has just put on
| third shift to handle the immense ton
| mage that is being sent them. Nelson
Franklin, the general manager, stated
to-day that his company would handle
between 800 and 900 tons OF ore every
| twenty-four hours, and that the grade
| is showing an increase over that OF
last month. All the other samplers are
having like experiences and 1t is
stated that this months production
will prove astonishing.
According to the Idaho Springs cor
respondent of the Denver Republican
the biggest strike in the district in sew
eral months has been made in the Bell
man mine in ellison gulch. The streak
has widened until it is foot across.
The find was made while sinking and
at a depth of nearly 400 feet. The ore
contains a large quantity of native leaf
and wire silver, gray copper and ruby
silver. Assays show 1.032 ounces of
silver, 14.6 ounces of gold and 1O.6 per
cent copper, making the value nearly
81 900 per ton. The Bellman is owned
and operated by the Memphis and Idaho
Springs Gold Mining and Milling Com
pany, and is one Of a group of fourteen
patented claims owned by this COM
pany and situated between the Sun
and Moon and the Consolidated Mines
properties.
Not since the days of the boom of
twenty years ago has this camp shown
such activity as at present and the i'm
mediate future bids fair to see again
the life OF long ago, writes the corre-
spondent of the Denver Times from
Sunshine, in Boulder county. The ho-
| tel, boarding house and private house
capacity of the entire camp is already
| taxed to the limit to accommodate the
| influx of miners, carpenters. timber
and machine men. All this is caused
by the resumption of operations
of many of the oldest mines in
the district. Three recent rich strikes
in the immediate vicinity will in
time add to the quota of inhab-
itants, but the unwatering of some OF
| the big producers that have long been
idle, the retimbering of shafts tunnels
and slopes, the building of several new
shafthouses, and the installation OF
new plants of machinery. has occa-
stoned a new life and unusual prosper
ity. as the population will be increased
| by 200 OF 300 within the next few
months.