Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1907-06-22
John Leland Writes Opin-
ions on Big Property.
IT HAS VERY STRONG LEADS
Surface Indications Compare
With the Best Mines.

1T is now plainly evident that through
the efforts and ability of F. W. Bradley
the Buster property is surely and rap
idly coming to the front as one of the
big gold mines, not only of northern
Idaho, but of the west. This is stated
in no undue spirit of exaggeration or
self interest, but is based upon facts
now admitted by those who are familiar
with the history of the mine and the
camp.
At an early stage of development the
Buster gave many Indications, of the
remarkable improvement thai has since
taken place, both east and west in the
lower drifts. At depth of 100 feet
the ore shoot was not more than 100
feet in length. with an approximate
width of 20 feet, and it has not only
maintained it's width but improved in
gold values to depth of 300 feet. This
splendid shoot of gold ore has steadily
increased IN length until at the present
depth it is 400 feet in length, with every
assurance of extending on its strike
both ways from the shaft. What is
still more encouraging to Elk City and
vicinity and to the owners of all other
pf5perties, in addition to the facts
stated, is, that in width the phenomenal
increase in the strength of the ore body
it not only holds its unusually high aver
age values, but reveals stratas of high
grade ore at various points that will
ultimately surprise the outside mining
and investing public and stimulate faith
in the merits Of this camp at all points,
both at home and abroad, and refute
host of false impressions that have
gained circulation relative to this gold
belt.
Buster is Key to the District.
The success of all camps during their
initial stages of development depends
greatly upon the results of the best de-
yeloped mine in that camp. To. some
extent this is the case with this district.
It's unusual exposure of ore up to date
and Mr.. Bradley''s high standing and
ability will yet gseatly tend to tevolu-
tionize some foolish notions as to the
mineral wealth Of this section; which,
when intelligentfy explored, is certainly
destined to make it one of the big golc
camps of the west, if not of the world
Herein lies the chief value in the sue
cess of this mine. Its exploration viii
also allay doubts pertaining I'd many
other features in relation to-, these
numerous great gold veins that traverse
an area the extent of which is scarcely
or comparatively untouched. This mins
is at the very door of Elk City, which
is surrounded by every advantage tha
great mining operations require. espec
tally unlimited water power. We shal
soon possess all the great factors tha
make productive mines and great camps
Those are ore, power, transportation
and good management.
Depth Of Elk Ore No Question Now,
AS the Buster is developed by tn,
deepest shaft, it will in a great meas
ure answer the chief objection put fortl
in the past by pessimistic doubling
Thomases -''That these ore bodie
would not hold out in depth" or holt
their fine surface Indications in valu'
or quantity far below the surface
The results so far only prove that grea
men often make great mistakes, or per
haps they struck bad spot in tn
country rock, but this was the clima'
of shallow mining logic from every. ex
perienced and practical point of view
this in the face of another fact, that n
shaft had been sunk to any REASONABLE
depth to prove the truth or false basi
of this glowing prediction. Donbtles
the intention was to build mill an
sink shaft afterwards.
Doubt is not always the forerunne
Of wisdom, as some say. It never wa
nor viii it be, even in mining affairs