Bisbee daily review., 1906-01-26
4 DESERTED MINE
 IS OFTEN VALUABLE ProspaCtOr Only GOphefs And Soon Leaves For
 Fresh Fields

Because a mine is reported to be old and abandoned it does not neces- sariiy follow that it is played out or worthless. Some western mining dis tricts appear to pass through two or three stages or periods.
 The first is that in which the early prospector arrives on the ground. He finds without difficulty the surface showings and 'blow-outs'' out of the untouched veins. These are often rich in the surface oxidized ores Bo- nan2as are comparatively common, and large pockets of rich ore are dug out at the grass roots" or even picked up on the surface. where they have long lain. broken off from the parent ledge, says the Mining World.
 The prospector does not mine: he "gophers" and "gouges" out the ore wherever he finds it. and as he finds 1t, careless of who may come after him and regardless of any future de- yelopment of the mine He keeps no ere reserves. and does rot develop and explore ahead of what may be in sight. The workings he leaves are more like those of 8 prairie dog town than of systematic mining. He never intends to mine; seriously After while. at a comparatively short depth, the rich ore begins to diminish, or the size of the shoot Iessens; the ground becomes harder or the ore more sulphide. pinches of even faults may set in. together with water and other common mining difficulties. The prospector accustomed to being giutted with rich and easily obtained ore, quits for pas lures new and in search of fresh bo- panzas
 The mine is temporarily abandoned land is currently reported to be played out" No deep mining or sys- tematic work or search of other ore bodies or shoots is undertaken. After these happy-go-luciy days when men lived high and whisky flowed freely comes a period Of depression, or at best of slow mining, deadened it may be by the fall of silver.
 In the prospector bonanza days there were DO railroads or mills with in easy reach, hence only the highest grade ore could be shipped or treated, ore al that time called low grade be ing thrown on the dump or left stand ing in the mine.
 A few years later, with the advent of railroads, different class of men came in. They are business men, in yestors and spectators. The aban- doned mines are looked over, their dumps tested, and their contents cya~ nided or miIled. The old mines are pumped out, or put in shape and with deeper and more systematic mining rev ore shoots are found. and the once socaIied "low-grade" bodies of ere are utilized by being treated by the latest improvements in milling and value saving appliances and the camp starts on new and substantial era of prosperity
 It takes some courage to reopen and rehabihtate an old. abandoned mine. It's appearance Is most foriorn and re- polling. Buildings with roofs fallen timSers rotten and scattered. with odds and ends of machinery lying covered with rust Everything pill laged that could be carried of any use Or value The first impression is Can any good come out of such a Nazareth A few weeks of work, however, may put an entirely new face on things.
 The preliminary examination Of such 8 property Is not a pleasant nor very safe task for the mining engineer. He has to climb rickety and untrustWorrhy ladders with rungs missing or treach- erous by decay; to elbow his way up raises" by help of uncertain and rot ten stulIs, or even without these helps He wiggles on his stomach like rep tile through holes barely large enough to squeeze through, with chances of fragments Of roof falling on him. The air is generally bad in old abandoned workings. owing to air holes having become choked with rub hish fallen in from the surface. Leasers Or prospectors who last worked the mine usually leave it In as blocked up and ruinous condition A IL