Gilpin observer., 1906-01-18
THE TWO BROTHERS TUNNEL.
Interesting Article Regarding the Big Bore
Which Cut The Specie Payment Vein.

Inc loanO Springs Strings OF oaCur-
day, contained an interesting article re-
garding the cutting Of the Specie Pay
ment vein which was accomplished a
couple of weeks ago. The Specie Pay
ment property is located on Bellevue
mountain, just at the edge Of the Gilpin
county line. Following is the Sifting's
article:
The work done in; the breast OF the
vein matter, the width between the walls
at the point of intersection being eight
feet. four inches, all of which is we'll
mineralized crevice matter Of good mil
ling grade, said to be in the neighbor-
hood OF $40 per ton. In addition to the
mill dirt there is considerable smelling
ore in streaks and bunches Of from four
inches to four feet, which will give re-
turns Of from $40 to 1922 per ton, the
principal values being mainly in gold,
but carrying good percentage Of cop
per.
The projectors Of the Two Brothers
tunnel had almost given up hope Of cut
ting the vein for the reason that the
pitch and course Of the lode at that
depth could not be figured with any de
gree Of accuracy.
The tunnel has been driven in a more
or less zig gag course and therefore was
driven further than would have been
necessary had the trend of the vein been
known. The vein was intersected, as
was anticipated by Engineer Wells, in
the center OF the mair ore shoot, which
has produced upwards of 100000
The vein will be drifted upon for some
distance in either direction and station
viii be cut, furnishing ample trackage
for the accommodation Of the ore cars.
after which the upraise will be started
The underground surveys in both the
tunnel and mine workings will be checked
up in order to locate the best point a.
which to make the raise. All of the ore
now being taken out OF both headings on
the vein will be saved for shipment, and
will amount to considerable tonnage.
On the south slope Of Bellevue mount
ain and surrounding the Specie Payment
claim there are any number Of veins ex-
posed on the surface, nearly all Of which
are patented. The oldest patented claim
in that section is the Clarissa, and there
are several older patents than the Specie
Payment, its number being 1895. The
Specie Payment claim is surveyed almost
exactly the shape OF carpenters square
except that the end lines are parellel.
The average pitch Of the vein is 40 de-
grees from the horizon and at the point
OF intersection the depth below the sur
face is about 1.4OO feet. There is no
doubt but that the vein cut by the tun-
mel is the Specie Payment for the char
acter OF the ore encountered is identical
in appearance with that produced in the
main workings. 1t is possible however,
that in view Of the richness OF the ore
and the extent Of the ore body, that par
ties owning claims in that vicinity might
attempt to lay claim to the ore, in which
case it would be up to them to prove
ownership which could be done only by
sinking shaft
The Two Brothers tunnel in driving a
half mile did not cut any veins except
the Lake and the Bald Eagle, which is a
rather singular fact in view OF the many
veins outcropping in that vicinity. This
leads to the belief that number OF these
veins may dip into and form part OF
the Specie Payment. The lodes on the
surface are interlaced in most bewild.
erlng manner and with varying angles
pitch into the mountain so that until
proved up by connection with the shaft
workings, there will be some question, in
the minds of some Of the adjoining own.
ers at least, in regard to the ownership
OF the immense ore body exposed by the
tunnel.
cndon nlouk Man nneum.