Gilpin observer., 1905-01-26
Saratoga Vein Cut


estimates, allowing time for lost shifts
the; drills in the breast of the Newhouse
tunnel should have encountered the
great Saratoga vein Friday, but tho last
ronnd OF holes fred in the afternoon
failed to discover the hanging wall of
the much desired vein The face of the
tnnnel is still in the same hard finty
rock as has been encountered in the last
seventy five feet, and as yet there is no
sign of moisture. A favorable sign of
the near presence of the vein is indicat
ed 10y small iron stringers running north
and south which old timers declare is
the same condition existing in the
country rock near the shaft. To verify
this condition Saturday morning, Messrs
Owen and Morgan, the owners of the
Saratoga. have brought Robert Griffin,
who for the past ten years has been un-
derground foreman and is personally
familiar with the rock formation in all
parts Of the mine, and sent him into the
breast of the tunnel TO make careful ex.
animation as to these stringers and the
nature OF the country rock.
The resurveys are checked aud it is
known that the vein is but a short dis.
tance ahead of the drills and there can
not be any great variation in the 525
feet which distance the face of the tun-
nell is east of the breast of the ninth
level west from the Saratoga shaft.
The Saratoga property consists OF
nineteen claims, all patented, or total
OF about seventy five acres. fhe main
vein is the mother lode OF that section
and the group of claims cover almost
mile of the vein. In addition to being
one Of the earliest locations in the dis
trict, it is one of the most EXTENSIVELY de-
veloped mines and, when operated, one
OF the most expensive, owing to the vast
quantity of water encountered in the
workings, despite which, the main shaft
was sunk to depth OF over 1000 feet at
an enormous expense. There are three
shafts, 600, 1000 and 400 feet in depth.
Each is equipped with complete plant
OF machinery. The water is now above
the fourth level, leaving 600 feet of
water in the workings which will be
drained when cut by the tunnel.
A set of four leasers, who were driven
out Of the fourth level by water, have
been making regular shipments To the
smelters from above the third level.
The Newhouse tunnel was located in
) the latter part of 1899. The first stake
being driven at the breast in October Of
that year by A. j. Ventress, who was
then chairman for Engineer Wiley. On
January |, 1894, the machine drills we're
started. On the first day of the pres
ent year, the face of the tunnel was in
distance of l4,5I0 feet from the portal, or
a little over two and three-quarter miles
The total cost to date of the big bore has
been variously estimated from $4,000
up, including equipment, on which in-
vestment it has already earned a good
percentage for the owners. In addition
to working in small way several of the
small veins encountered belonging to
the company, which have disclosed rich
values, more than $1,000 being extracted
from few hundred feet of one lateral
the company derives nice revenue
from the Gem workings for the haulage
OF ores. 1t is understood this week a
E liberal contract had been made with the
Sun and Moon company for the exten-
sion Of the tunnel level lateral, to the
end lines OF that company's property
The sources OF revenue coupled with the
opening of the great Saratoga will make
the Newhouse property one OF the best
mining transportation propositions in the
entire state.-Idaho Springs Siftings.
According to the above article people
would infer that the great Saratoga mine
was situated in Idaho Springs which is
not SO as it is in the lower part of Rus.
sell Gulch in Russell district This
mine has been one OF Gilpin county's
most steady producers up to within the
past year when they were compelled to
quit on account Of water. The latest re-.
ports are that the Newhouse tunnel cut
the vein on Tuesday, so now the water
will commence TO drain into the tunnel
at once, in fact has already done 30 to a
small extent. After the water has been
drained the owners expect to commence
work and will probably have large
force OF men working in a short time.