Fergus County Democrat., 1905-10-31
THE MINES OF FERGUS.

The excitement started about three
months AGO when it was reported that
an immense body of cyanide ore had
heen struck by a st. Paul company
who were exploring the now famous
RuIlard ranch by means of diamond
drill. To many who were famlilaf
with the district, the strike was utter
w unexpected and to all, it's reported
immensity was most amazing.
The Bullard property was soon al
terwards taken over by company
composed of men who are prominent
in the affairs of the big Kendall MIN
ing company. These men made fur-
tber careful explorations of the ground
by the diamond drill method and easi-
ly verified the findings of the first
owners.
This discovery resulted in almost m
slant activity in mining circles about
the North Moccasin camp and this as
tiyity has spread until it thoroughly
enveloped the famous Maiden ana
Gilt Edge districts. 4 number of dla-
mond drills are now at work N ken-
dali. one on the townsite, one cn the
Barnes-K King, one on the Kendall and
still another over on the Fergus tract.
The reports from the operations of
these various drills have been mos
satisfactory to all who wish TO see the
camp flourish and that includes every
man. woman and child in Fergus coun-
ty. 1t is freely predicted and with g
great deal of certainty, that there VIII
be one. and more than likely two new
mills in the camp before anothe" year
rolls by That will mean double the
men al work now on the payrolls ana
that. in turn, that Kendall will push
Lewistown closely for metropolitan
honors in Fergus county.
Local merchants and business men |
have not been slow to recognize the |
possibilities of the camp and new
stores are being started and a new
bank. the stock of which will be own
ed absolutely by progressive Kendall
and Lewistown men, will be started
up in the big camp within 4 few days.
But Kendall is not the only place
that is going to profit by the mining
excitement which has arisen and
which is perfectly justified by recent
discoveries Gilt Edge has taken
second lease on life and promises to
more than repeat past performances
when she was considered one of the
best Colds camp in the state. AL
though that immediate district now
has but one regular and consistent
producer, the Gold Reef, that one is in
the most fourishing condition of its
history. A record breaking cleanup
was made in September and the own
er, John A. Drake, may we'll be pleas
ed with the present outlook of that
property.
The Whiskey Gulch property, in this
district, is considered by competent
mining men as one of the best in the
mountains and those who are ac-
quainted with the mine say that, un-
der proper management, the mill can
be run steadily and profitably. A new
company, organized only last week,
contemplate extensive exploration Of
the placer grounds which lie between
the Gold Reef and the Whiskey Gulch
mines. This has long been considered
excellent ground and may be depend
ed upon to keep Fergus at the head of
gold producing counties of the state.
Many other promising properties in
this district will, some day, help to
make Gilt Edge famous as the center
of great gold producing region.
Almost every day there comes news
of rich strike up in the Maiden end
of the mountains. Oscar Stephens and
Pete Rosseau have a fine property
there and mill will probably be erect
ed next summer. Kits & Deyo have
some good showings as have the Sum-
rise Mining company. The Bells boys
have done several thousands of dollars
worth of work and have satisfactory
showings. Many others are digging
steadily and there are several claims
around Maiden which have passed be-
yond the prospect stage.
Eastern capitalists have been at
tracted to this section of the country
by our recent discoveries and many of
them have made personal visits here
to see for themselves the outlook for
profitable investment in mining enter
prises. One of them, recognized as an
expert in the business in all parts of
the country, gave a most flatterine
opinion as to the future mining posi-.
bilities of the Fergus county hills
That others will be similarly impress.
ed, goes without saying and the con.