The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-02-20
CUSTER COUNTY.
Report of Mine Inspector Bell
for the year 1905.
LOON CREEK

LOST PACKER. The most not
able development of this old min
ing county during 1905 was at
the Lost Packer mine in the
Loon creek district. This prop
erty has developed in remark
able manner and has one of the
best reserves of rich ore in its
present young stage of develop
ment that has ever been seen in
the county, whose bullion record
exceeds $30,OO0,OO0.
Loon creek gained a reputa-
tion as placer district a good
many years ago, but its resourc-
es in this line that were easily
available were very rapidly ex-
hausted. During the excitement
of the early days rich float ore
was found at different points
over the district, accounts of
which remained the folk lore of
the region for years afterwards,
and it was considered favorable
field for prospectors looking for
vein deposits. 1t wasn't until
the district was overrun with
prospectors, disappointed in
their Investigations of the Thun-
der Mountain district in 1902,
that anything of Importance was
found on Loon creek in the ore
line. During that summer the
Lost Packer mine was discover
ed; it presented a very slim sur
face showing, but the ore was
rich in gold and several carload
shipments were made from the
first shallow level that yielded
average values in gold of $50
per ton, together with copper
values of Z to Is per cent.
This property has passed into
the hands of some well known
mining capitalists of Butte and
Salt Lake whose attention was
called to the venture by j. A.
Czizek, who handled its develop
ment as manager until last fall.
At this date the Lost Packer
mine has a mile of underground
development work in the form
of adit tunnels and underground
connections that exposed a body
of ore 10 to 10 feet wide, carry
ing average values of 2 to 3 per
cent copper and S. to 81 in gold
per ton. In addition to this low
grade ore this great vein carries
clean rib of pay streak of mas
sive chalcopyrite ore, 6 inches
to 5 feet thick, that will safely
average 2 feet thick, and is prov
en- for a length of 500 feet and a
depth of 400 feet, that carries
average values of 2 to 5 ounces
of gold and 10 to % per cent
copper per ton.
This rib of bonanza ore is very
clearly defined and strong in the
bottom of the work and at both
ends. 1t has free cleavage,
with slicken-sided surfaces that
in places are polished like
mirror on the massive mineral.
The vein has been opened
carrying the same high values
at point 800 feet distant and
300 feet vertically lower down
che mountain.
The property of the Lost Pack
er company, of which this de-
velopment is the central figure,
the course of this bonan-
"a ore channel for 5000 feet
a vertical range of fully
1,S00 feet, all of which is avail |
able for adit tunnel development. |
The vein is true fissure, cut /
ting the general bedding of the |
formation. The deep adit tun,
mel has been started by the com
pany which viii be run oy mach
inc drills as soon as an air plant
can be gotten in that should
rapidly undercut an immense re-
serve of rich ore, for the fissure
s of such pronounced charact-
er that there can be hardly any
question of the staying qualities